Current:Home > MyWho's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet -Elevate Capital Network
Who's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet
View
Date:2025-04-14 12:03:07
Oh, baby! A little hippo in Thailand has taken the internet by storm, becoming a viral sensation and even inspiring Sephora to post about blushes that will make people "blush like a baby hippo."
Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand about two hours from Bangkok, has the internet and the world in a chokehold with her chubby, pink cheeks, tummy rolls and adorable expressions.
The two-month-old, whose name means "bouncing pig" in Thai, has millions of fans on social media following her clumsy adventures, including trying to nibble her handler despite not having teeth.
Who is Moo Deng?
Moo Deng was born on June 10, to mother Jona, 25 and father Tony, 24, with two other siblings Pork Stew and Sweet Pork at the zoo in Chonburi, NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, reported. She is the seventh child born to the hippo couple and is also the sibling of Moo Toon, another famous hippo, Pattaya Mail reported. Moo Deng is also the granddaughter of Thailand's oldest hippo, Malee, who recently celebrated her 59th birthday. The median life expectancy of pygmy hippos is 27 years, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Pygmy hippopotamuses are a small breed of hippopotamus that are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. They are known to be solitary and nocturnal but can sometimes be found in small family groups. Adults grow up to two and half to three feet high and around five feet in length, weighing between 350-600 pounds. Pygmy hippos are now classified as endangered, the alliance said, with possibly less than 3,000 individuals remaining in their native habitat.
Zoo draws thousands of visitors
Moo Deng's internet-fame has also translated into real life celebrity fame with the zoo drawing thousands of visitors, who visit every day just to get a glimpse of her.
Director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo Narungwit Chodchoy told Reuters the zoo normally gets around 800 visitors on any given day during the rainy season, "which is a low season." After Moo Deng catapulted to fame, the zoo is now getting 3,000 to 4,000 people on weekdays, and welcomed almost 20,000 visitors over the weekend, Chodchoy said, adding that most of them came just to see Moo Deng.
"Moo Deng fever means we will have organize better so all visitors can see her," Narungwit told the media outlet.
Narungwit has also issued strict orders against those who bother Moo Deng after videos of visitors throwing water and shells on the baby pygmy were shared to social media, according to Pattaya Mail. Staff presence has also been increased during peak hours and surveillance cameras have also been installed.
Moo Deng: 'A lifestyle icon'
Moo Deng has inspired several advertisements including by Sephora Thailand and the NBA's Utah Jazz, with internet users referring to her as a 'lifestyle icon."
Contributing: Reuters, Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- A hot air balloon crashed into a power line and caused a fire, but everyone is OK
- Megan Fox Clarifies Which Plastic Surgery Procedures She's Had Done
- Panel urged to move lawsuit to state court that seeks shutdown of part of aging pipeline in Michigan
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- California voters approve Prop. 1, ballot measure aimed at tackling homeless crisis
- 'The first dolphin of its kind:' Remains of ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon.
- Average long-term US mortgage rate climbs back to nearly 7% after two-week slide
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Man's body found in Rochester water supply reservoir was unnoticed for a month, as officials say water is safe to drink
Ranking
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Biden and Trump vie for Latino support with very different pitches
- Drake Bell defends former Nickelodeon co-star Josh Peck following Brian Peck allegations
- Meeting the mother of my foster son changed my mind about addiction – and my life
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- U.K. food delivery driver who bit customer's thumb clean off over pizza dispute pleads guilty
- Famed battleship USS New Jersey floating down Delaware River to Philadelphia for maintenance
- Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill banning homeless from camping in public spaces
Recommendation
The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary
A small town suspended its entire police force. Residents want to know why
Yes, authentic wasabi has health benefits. But the version you're eating probably doesn't.
Biden and Trump vie for Latino support with very different pitches
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
440,500 Starbucks mugs recalled after a dozen people hurt: List of recalled mugs
The US may catch a spring break on weather. Forecasters see minimal flooding and drought for spring
Drake Bell defends former Nickelodeon co-star Josh Peck following Brian Peck allegations