Jimothy the raccoon is still the number one trending meme in the United States as of October 24, 2026, according to ViralMeme.ai, which ranks memes by Google search interest. The viral animal from Seattle’s Ballard neighbourhood has held the top spot even months after his first clip went viral.
Jimothy first became famous in July 2026, when Seattle resident Kiana Hall filmed the unusually short, round raccoon on an evening walk and posted the clip on Instagram. According to reports of the original post, the video passed five million views, and a later tally across platforms put total views above ten million within days.
Experts who have seen the footage believe Jimothy likely has a rare condition resembling short spine syndrome, in which the vertebrae do not fully develop. Wildlife officials have stressed that he appears healthy and mobile, and they urge admirers to watch from a distance and never approach or feed him.
How a neighbourhood raccoon became a symbol
Seattle embraced Jimothy quickly. According to local coverage, a mural went up, fans requested tattoos, the Seattle Mariners celebrated him at a home game, and one painting of him sold at auction for 6,543 dollars, with the money going to the Ballard Food Bank. On July 27, city councillors even proclaimed a season called “Jimothy Summer.”
The story resonated because it was gentle. In a feed full of arguments, a round raccoon waddling through a neighbourhood felt like a break, and neighbours shared fond memories of watching him grow up in nearby cedar trees.
Why he is trending again now
Jimothy’s return to the top of meme searches shows how viral animals cycle back into attention. New viewers discover the original clip, older fans share updates, and search interest climbs again, according to ViralMeme.ai’s October 24 ranking.
The message from wildlife officials has not changed: admire Jimothy from afar and let him stay wild. That advice has become part of the story itself, repeated by fans who want the internet’s favourite raccoon to keep roaming Ballard on his own terms.
