Overview
- A short‑bodied raccoon filmed in Ballard became an internet sensation after a video posted July 13–14 showed the animal’s compact gait and drew millions of views.
- Fans and companies have quickly turned Jimothy into murals, merch, a bobblehead, a Google search animation and an official Dungeons & Dragons stat block.
- Veterinarians say the raccoon’s look is consistent with a rare congenital short‑spine spinal deformity but no formal exam or diagnosis has been confirmed.
- Observers and archived footage conflict on the animal’s age, and experts note wild raccoons usually live about three to five years, leaving open whether sightings show one long‑lived individual or multiple similar animals.
- Seattle and King County health officials warn people not to feed or handle Jimothy because habituation raises injury and disease risks, and neighbors are urged to secure trash and keep pet food indoors.