Jimothy, a raccoon with a distinctive short, round shape, has taken the internet by storm, rising from a local scavenger in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood to a global celebrity. His unique appearance, caused by a rare genetic condition called short spine syndrome, has captivated social media users, leading to millions of views, fan art, merchandise, and even recognition from NASA and the Seattle Mariners.
The Viral Moment
Last week, Seattle resident Kiana Hall spotted the raccoon during an evening walk with her husband and posted a video on Instagram, exclaiming, “What am I looking at?” She named the creature Jimothy, saying, “He just looked like a ‘Jimothy’ to me.” The video quickly went viral, gaining nearly 400,000 likes in six days and nearly 8 million views at the time of writing.
A Unique Appearance
Jimothy's short, round shape is believed to be due to short spine syndrome, a condition caused by compressed vertebrae. While it can cause mobility issues, Jimothy appears agile. This distinctive look has fueled online enthusiasm, following a tradition of animals made famous for their differences, such as Grumpy Cat and Tuna the chihuahua mix.
Home-Town Hero
Jimothy's fame has made him a local hero in Seattle. The Mariners encouraged fans to “make noise for Jimothy” at a game. A mural of the raccoon has been painted in Ballard, and a painting raised $6,500 for a local food bank. On Sunday, city council member Alexis Mercedes Rinck will issue an “official city proclamation” celebrating the “majestic” raccoon and declaring summer 2026 “Jimothy Summer”.
Internet Fame
Jimothy has a dedicated Reddit fandom, fan art, memes, gaming tributes, a custom Lego build, and at least two tattoos. He was featured on The Daily Show on Monday, and NASA posted a picture of Seattle from the International Space Station, noting “Jimothy runs this city.”
Merchandise
Etsy has over 1,000 listings related to Jimothy, including stickers, clothing, and tote bags, with slogans like “Stay weird”, “Doin’ my best”, and “Hot Jimothy summer”.
Early Life
Another Seattle resident, Ben Trammell, posted a video of what appears to be baby Jimothy with his family, claiming he saw him “almost daily for months” and that his family was “always so patient and caring”.
Official Advice
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife advises to “leave him alone”.
