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Sep 284 min read

Moo Deng and Pesto: Why Animals are the New Internet Sensations

In a world where the internet consistently crowns new viral stars, the latest to win global hearts are not human celebrities but a pygmy hippo from Thailand and a large king penguin from Australia. Moodeng, the tiny, quirky hippo, and Pesto, the unusually large penguin, have garnered millions of online followers, become meme icons, and even inspired makeup trends. Their rise to fame reflects the internet’s long-standing obsession with animals, their cuteness providing comfort, escapism, and amusement to millions.


Moo Deng and Pesto: The Internet's Latest Animal Obsessions


Who are Moodeng and Pesto?

  • Moo Deng:

    • A two-month-old pygmy hippo residing at a zoo in Thailand.

    • Known for her playful antics and tiny stature, she has gained over 4 million followers on TikTok.

    • Her charm has inspired makeup tutorials and live streams, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the zoo.

  • Pesto:

    • A nine-month-old king penguin living in an Australian aquarium, Pesto stands three feet tall and weighs 23 kilograms.

    • His size and baby-like features have endeared him to social media users, making him a viral sensation.


The Internet's General Animal Obsession

The internet's love affair with viral animal content isn't new. Moodeng and Pesto are just the latest in a long list of internet-famous animals. Past viral stars like Grumpy Cat exemplify how animals, with their inherent authenticity, can capture people's attention. Animals are unfiltered and non-judgmental, qualities that resonate with a wide audience. Their perceived innocence and relatability make them the perfect subjects for viral content, memes, and trends.


Grumpy Cat: This iconic feline, known for her permanently displeased expression, became a meme sensation and symbol of internet humor, garnering millions of followers and merchandise deals.

Moodeng and Pesto follow in the footsteps of these famous internet animals, with their peculiar traits—Moodeng’s tiny size and Pesto’s oversized cuteness—adding to their widespread appeal. Their rise to fame highlights how animals continue to dominate viral content and embody the internet's unrelenting fascination with adorable, often unexpected, creatures.


In a world filled with negative news cycles, videos of cute animals provide a much-needed respite, a comforting distraction that brings happiness to people across the globe.


TikTok's Role in Their Virality

  • Algorithm Advantage: TikTok's algorithm curates user feeds based on engagement, making content with high interaction more visible. Moo Deng’s playful content and Pesto’s captivating visuals contribute to their viral success.

  • Creative Engagement: TikTok encourages users to create content around viral trends, which accelerates the spread of videos featuring these animals.


Emotional Projection and Parasocial Relationships



What makes viral animals like Moodeng and Pesto especially endearing is that viewers often project human emotions and characteristics onto them. Moodeng ’s playful defiance or Pesto’s endearing nature might remind people of their own pets or even aspects of themselves. This emotional projection fosters a sense of connection with these animals, making them more relatable and sparking increased sharing and engagement.



In many ways, these viral animals have become akin to celebrities, with viewers forming parasocial relationships with them.


Like human influencers, Moodeng and Pesto's fans expect certain behaviors and interactions, whether it's Moodeng's cute frolicking or Pesto waddling around the aquarium. These relationships make fans feel personally invested in the animals, following their daily updates and rooting for their wellbeing, just as they would with any human star.


Positive and Negative Impacts

While the fame of Moo Deng and Pesto raises awareness about animal welfare and conservation, it also comes with challenges:

  • Positive Outcomes: Their popularity can promote conservation efforts and educate the public about endangered species.

    • Similarly, Harambe, the gorilla who became a meme following a tragic incident at the Cincinnati Zoo, highlighted issues of animal captivity and the ethics of zoo environments, sparking widespread debate.



  • Negative Consequences: Concerns arise about overexposure and exploitation for commercial gain. Increased foot traffic to their homes can stress the animals and lead to inappropriate behavior from visitors.

    • For example, after Panda Mania swept through various zoos featuring giant pandas, caretakers faced similar challenges with increased crowding and stress on the animals.


Conclusion

Moodeng and Pesto’s viral rise to fame is a testament to the enduring appeal of animals on the internet. Whether providing comfort, education, or just a few moments of joy, these animals have captured the hearts of millions. However, as their fame grows, it is crucial to strike a balance between celebrating their cuteness and ensuring that their welfare remains a top priority. After all, the internet’s love for animals comes with both responsibility and opportunity—an opportunity to connect with the natural world and protect the creatures we admire from afar.


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