Current:Home > NewsWho's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet -WealthEdge Academy
Who's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet
View
Date:2025-04-21 21:01:53
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! (636)
Related
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Kim Zolciak's daughter Brielle is engaged, and her estranged husband Kroy Biermann played a role
- Georgia bills in doubt at deadline include immigration crackdown, religious liberty protections
- South Korea launches legal action to force striking doctors back to work
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- High-income earners who skipped out on filing tax returns believed to owe hundreds of millions of dollars to IRS
- How scientists are using facial-recognition AI to track humpback whales
- Federal judge blocks Texas' immigration enforcement law SB 4: Here's what's next
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- A U.S. couple is feared dead after their boat was allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners in the Caribbean. Here's what to know.
Ranking
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- When is the next total solar eclipse in the US after 2024? Here's what you need to know.
- Study Pinpoints Links Between Melting Arctic Ice and Summertime Extreme Weather in Europe
- The Daily Money: Relief for Kia, Hyundai theft victims
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Stephen Baldwin Shares Cryptic Message After Praying for Justin and Hailey Bieber
- Cat Janice, singer with cancer who went viral for dedicating song to son, dies at age 31
- Congratulations, today is your day: A free book giveaway to honor Dr. Seuss’ birthday
Recommendation
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit: Details, developments on WWE co-founder
NFL competition committee working on proposal to ban controversial hip-drop tackle
Evers signs bill increasing out-of-state bow and crossbow deer hunting license fees
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Ukrainian children recount horrors of being kidnapped by Russian soldiers
Panera adds 9 new menu items, including Bacon Mac & Cheese pasta, Chicken Bacon Rancher
Utah Legislature expands ability of clergy members to report child abuse
Like
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Scandinavian Airlines medevac plane lands in Malaysian island where Norwegian king is hospitalized
- A U.S. couple is feared dead after their boat was allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners in the Caribbean. Here's what to know.