If you've been online lately, you've likely come across Moo Deng, the adorable baby pygmy hippo who's captured the hearts of millions. Moo Deng was born in July at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, and in just two months, she’s become a viral sensation. Her tiny, round face and chubby, pink cheeks have endeared her to people worldwide, drawing visitors from far and wide.
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| We are biologically programmed to want to connect with a baby animal like Moo Deng. Illustration:Jianan Liu/HuffPost; Photo:Getty Images, AP |
The zoo reported that it typically receives around 800 visitors during Thailand’s rainy season. But with Moo Deng's arrival, those numbers have skyrocketed to 3,000 to 4,000 daily visitors, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the baby hippo. This demand has become so overwhelming that visitors can now only view Moo Deng for five minutes on weekends.
But what is it about Moo Deng that has everyone obsessed? There’s a deeper, scientific reason behind our fascination with this little hippo, and it taps into something ingrained in our biology.
The Science Behind Moo Deng’s Appeal
According to research scientist Daniel Kruger, who studies evolutionary psychology at the University of Michigan and the State University of New York at Buffalo, Moo Deng’s cuteness isn't an accident. “She is designed to be cute, and we are designed by evolution to find her cute and want to hug her, pet her,” Kruger explains.
This idea isn't new. In the 1940s, ethologist Konrad Lorenz introduced the concept of Kindchenschema or baby schema. It’s a set of physical features typically found in infants, like large heads, round faces, and big eyes. These traits trigger caregiving behaviors in adults. Essentially, our evolutionary wiring compels us to care for anything with these “cute” features because, historically, doing so helped ensure the survival of our species.
Moo Deng hits all the notes of this baby schema. As social psychologist Oriana Aragón points out, “The roundness, the little fat folds—these features are definitely triggering our caregiving instincts.” When we look at Moo Deng, we feel an overwhelming urge to nurture, protect, and care for her, even though she’s not human.
“If Moo Deng had angular features and wasn’t as canonically cute, we wouldn’t feel the same way,” Aragón adds. Her plump, rounded body, small eyes, and soft-looking face align perfectly with the biological markers we associate with vulnerability and innocence.
Why We Relate So Strongly to Moo Deng
While Moo Deng's cuteness is undeniable, there’s another layer to our obsession. As much as we’re drawn to her infant-like traits, our connection goes beyond the physical. Moo Deng has also become a symbol in internet culture, used in memes and posts that capture the quirks and challenges of human life. Her likeness has been adopted by basketball teams, beauty brands, and thousands of social media users who see bits of themselves in her.
This memeification isn't accidental, either. Aragón believes that our biological programming to care for her extends to how we relate to her in a broader sense. “The baby schema hooks us in and creates a line of empathy and sympathy,” she says. Once we’re emotionally invested, it's easy to see how Moo Deng becomes more than just a baby hippo—she becomes a stand-in for our emotions, frustrations, and moments of joy.
When we share a Moo Deng meme or watch a video of her receiving a belly rub, our brains respond with bursts of dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. Stephanie Pappas, a licensed marriage and family therapist, suggests that engaging with these videos provides a brief respite from the stresses of everyday life. “The joy [Moo Deng] brings is quickly accessible and instantly soothing to our nervous systems,” Pappas notes.
In a world filled with overwhelming news cycles and daily challenges, Moo Deng provides a simple, pure form of happiness that many people find irresistible.
The Phenomenon of "Cute Aggression"
The viral popularity of Moo Deng doesn’t just lead to soft, warm feelings. In some cases, the intense reaction to her cuteness can spark something called “cute aggression.” This phenomenon describes the overwhelming urge to squeeze, pinch, or even bite something incredibly cute—not out of malice, but as a way to cope with the intensity of the emotions.
In a 2015 study published in Psychological Science, Aragón and her team explored the link between positive feelings toward cute images and expressions of aggression. Their findings suggest that when something is overwhelmingly cute, like a baby or Moo Deng, people might exhibit aggressive behaviors like wanting to pinch or squeeze without any intention of harm. “Usually, it’s a feeling of being overwhelmed by the cuteness,” Aragón explains.
However, this cute aggression can sometimes lead people to overstep boundaries. Recently, there have been instances of visitors throwing objects or water at Moo Deng in an attempt to get her attention. The Khao Kheow Zoo has had to issue warnings to visitors to refrain from disturbing the animals, as it could cause distress to Moo Deng and other creatures.
Aragón believes this behavior stems from people’s desire to interact with Moo Deng physically. “I want to approach, I want to touch, I want to rile up,” she explains. But visitors must remember that Moo Deng is a nocturnal animal. Pygmy hippos are naturally more sluggish during the day, so she’s not likely to be as energetic as people might hope. Kruger emphasizes the importance of managing these expectations, noting that "this poor little hippo could be traumatized by all these people who are aggravating her."
Moo Deng and Conservation Efforts
Beyond the viral sensation and memes, there’s a critical conversation to be had about the future of Moo Deng’s species. Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, and their natural habitats in West Africa are dwindling due to deforestation, poaching, and human activity. Kruger hopes that Moo Deng’s popularity can be leveraged to raise awareness about the plight of her species.
“If we love these animals, we really need to help them survive into the future, and that means preserving their natural environment,” Kruger says. The hope is that the global attention Moo Deng has garnered will translate into tangible conservation efforts.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists pygmy hippos as endangered, with fewer than 3,000 left in the wild. Their populations are fragmented across regions like Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast. Protecting these animals requires a multi-faceted approach, from creating protected habitats to combating poaching and increasing breeding efforts in captivity.
Moo Deng’s viral fame provides a unique opportunity to spread awareness about these challenges. Many viral internet sensations come and go, but the love for Moo Deng has the potential to drive real-world action. Those enchanted by her videos can contribute to conservation initiatives, support organizations working to protect pygmy hippos, and advocate for the preservation of endangered species.
Our Connection to Moo Deng Runs Deep
Moo Deng’s viral rise isn't just a fluke; it's a perfect blend of biology, psychology, and internet culture. Her cute features trigger ancient caregiving instincts in us, making us feel an innate urge to protect and nurture her. But beyond that, she has become a symbol—a representation of joy, comfort, and even our own experiences through the lens of memes and online content.
However, Moo Deng’s story should remind us of something even more important. As much as we love watching her videos and sharing her memes, she is a member of an endangered species. If we channel even a fraction of our obsession with her into meaningful conservation efforts, we can help ensure that pygmy hippos like Moo Deng continue to exist for generations to come.
In a world that can often feel overwhelming and filled with challenges, Moo Deng offers a much-needed break—a reminder of the simple joys in life. But she also serves as a call to action. Let’s take our admiration for her and turn it into real efforts to protect her and her species. After all, if we can love this baby hippo so much, we can also fight to ensure her future is a bright one.
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