Meet Jimothy, Seattle’s viral raccoon with short spine syndrome. His unique condition makes him adorable and fun to watch. Play the video to see what we mean.
The internet has been following little Jimothy, Seattle’s Viral Raccoon, since he was just a baby. Now, at approximately one to two years old, fans keep a watch for Jimothy sightings. In July, fans were delighted when he was caught performing a new move—a somersault/barrel roll.
Due to his condition, Jimothy’s head is about a quarter of the size of his body, and he can’t move around as agilely as his siblings. He kind of looks like a fluffy ball with legs.
“I got very confused at what I was seeing,” said one observer. “I just have never seen any other animal like it.”
Observers note that when he was younger, his mom and siblings would patiently help him with his tasks and even carry him when needed. He’s a local legend now in his Seattle neighborhood.
What Is Short Spind Syndrome?
Short spine syndrome in raccoons isn’t something very common.
“In dogs, short spine syndrome causes the vertebrae to remain soft and pliable during the fetal stage, rather than hardening into bone,” journalist Sarah Kuta said. “Over time, the vertebrae get compressed and may eventually fuse together. Dogs with the condition usually have short, sloping backs and short tails. Scientists don’t know what causes the condition, but they suspect inbreeding may play a role in its development.” Like some dogs with the condition, Jimothy also has a short, sloping back and a very short tail.
Videos of Jimothy have gotten over 5 million views, and it is safe to say he is a Seattle celebrity. Recently, the local baseball team, the Seattle Mariners, hosted a “Jimothy Night” in honor of the raccoon and his fans. One of the team members even had Jimothy t-shirts made for his team, and fans had the option to buy them, too.
I’d bet that Jimothy, Seattle’s viral raccoon, is bound to be the state’s next tourist attraction—though he may prove to be a little elusive.
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