If you’ve lived on the internet, whether as a hermit or as a passive enjoyer of online communities, you know that viral trends move through cycles. Since the 90s, cute animals have been the foundation of internet memes and viral videos, and a staple of these cycles. Cute cat videos are some of the most popular and common examples, “Puppy vs. Cat” being the first example of such. The video, posted on May 9, 2006, depicts eight puppies barking at one meowing cat, a genius concept at the time. The New York Times describes videos and images of cats like this video as the “essential building block[s]” of the internet, but we all know that animals other than cats go viral for the same reasons.
Right now, our favorite viral animals are a baby hippo, Moo Deng, and a baby penguin, Pesto.
Moo Deng is a baby pygmy hippo that lives at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand. She garnered fame when photos of her nibbling on her trainer’s leg and being otherwise very playful started spreading. The two-month-old calf now has her own livestream where anyone can see what antics she is up to. The stream started in response to a great volume of people attending the zoo to see the Moo Deng, as the zoo wants to make sure she is safe and happy in her enclosure.
Pesto is a baby penguin that lives at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, but he isn’t as baby-like as you’d think. The nine-month-old 52-pound king penguin chick has been receiving notoriety for his massive size, despite still being a down-covered nestling. Though his down is the primary cause for his bulbous frame and weight, he is still projected to weigh more than either of his parents, who both come in around 24 pounds, once he sheds. (If you’re keeping your numbers straight, Pesto weighs more than both of his parents combined!) Pesto is just one of very few male king penguins that the Melbourne Aquarium has hatched in recent years, his publicized gender reveal party was how he first got attention.
Now, the two animals have rivaling popularities, some videos online depicting the animals in vicious battles for the title of internet sweetheart. Within the Tartan Editorial Board, Moo Deng reigns supreme, one of our members saying, “Moo Deng fills me with such indescribable joy.” The calf even has merch available at her home zoo as well as being depicted on “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend.
Although some of us will continue using Moo Deng reaction images within our private messages, we are also keeping tabs on Pesto who we’re hoping becomes the world’s next Godzilla.
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