Written by Mia Aponte. Graphic by Anna Porter.
October is here, and with it comes a delightful tradition of unexpected internet stars and hilarious memes that light up our feeds. Last year, it was the unlikely charm of Lewis, the grumpy (yet endearing) jack-o-lantern. This year, the crown goes to none other than Miss Moo Deng, a pint-sized pygmy hippo who’s quickly become Thailand’s newest celebrity. With her big eyes and even bigger personality, Moo Deng has captured hearts and screens across the globe, amassing a devoted fan base and even scoring her very own 24-hour livestream.
But Moo Deng isn’t hogging the spotlight alone. This October, zoos everywhere seem to be producing viral sensations, from Pesto the penguin who’s taking the fish world by storm to other quirky creatures capturing our attention. Let us just say, it’s been a month of animal antics.
Moo Deng: The Cutest Zoo Animal in Thailand
The story of Miss Moo Deng started like many internet sensations do: by accident. A few photos and a short clip shared on social media, and soon enough, her endearing face was popping up everywhere. Fans were instantly captivated by her daily routines—eating, bathing, waddling about—and quickly demanded more. This demand led to a dedicated livestream, where people can tune in at any time to catch Moo Deng in action.
Moo Deng’s sudden popularity feels like a natural fit for this season of unexpected internet stars. With her big, expressive eyes and cute, snorting noises, it’s easy to see why she’s now affectionately known as the “queen” of pygmy hippos. She has all the charm of a seasoned influencer, and her fans can’t get enough of her wholesome appeal.
As Moo Deng rose to fame, other zoo animals found themselves in the spotlight too. Take Pesto, a baby penguin who seems to have an insatiable appetite—25 fish a day, to be exact. Pesto’s story was picked up by local news stations, and soon enough, he had a following of his own. People couldn’t help but laugh at his awkward attempts at waddling and his ever-growing size. Despite being just a chick, he’s already outgrown his parents and seems destined for more meme stardom.
But why do these animal stories capture us so completely? Perhaps it’s their innocence and unfiltered authenticity that provide a stark contrast to the manufactured content we’re often fed. Or maybe it’s the comfort of knowing that, somewhere out there, a baby penguin is eating too many fish and a pygmy hippo is just as lazy as we are on a Sunday afternoon.
The Moo Deng Effect
It didn’t take long for mainstream media to pick up on these trends, either. In a recent SNL skit, Moo Deng’s rise was humorously compared to pop star Chappell Roan’s sudden climb to fame. It was a nod to the sometimes absurd ways fame can find anyone—or anything—these days. The skit highlighted the randomness of internet fame and how it often has little to do with talent or effort. Sometimes, you just have to be the right hippo at the right time.
As these animals continue to capture our hearts, one thing is clear: this October is all about the unexpected. We’ve moved beyond the days of cat videos; now, it’s all about hippos, penguins and any other creature ready to steal our attention.
The Meme-ification of Animals: What’s Next?
With Miss Moo Deng leading the way, we’re left to wonder which animal might rise to meme glory next. Could it be a dancing lemur, a sunbathing seal, or maybe even an armadillo with a flair for the dramatic? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: as long as there’s an internet, there will always be room for the next adorable animal sensation.
So, stay tuned, because October’s animal takeover is far from over. The only question left is: which one of these furry (or feathered) friends will you be following?
As Contributing Editor, Mia Aponte collaborates closely with staff and contributors to craft engaging narratives across various subjects. She is eager to infuse fresh perspectives and dynamic storytelling into her work and to help the contributors with their artistic pursuits. At SCAD, Mia majors in Fashion Marketing and Management and minors in Social Strategy and Management. She regularly offers opinionated pieces on numerous topics as well as pop culture insights. When she’s not writing, Mia is most likely thrifting, listening to music, or reading.
