![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/comp-1784547268.png\")
\n\t\tJimothy is the internet\u2019s newest star (Picture: @degaussianfunction\/Reddit\/Instagram)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tJimothy is the internet\u2019s newest star (Picture: @degaussianfunction\/Reddit\/Instagram)<\/p>\n
Residents of Seattle might just have been left sleepless recently at the sight of a \u2018mutant\u2019 creature who\u2019s been roaming the streets and scurrying around yards.<\/p>\n
A video of the animal wandering around the north-western neighbourhood of Ballard has gone viral online with many folk wondering what the creature \u2013 who has a round body, short frame and unnaturally long legs \u2013 could be.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s actually a simple explanation.<\/p>\n
The creature in question is actually a raccoon, named \u2018Jimothy\u2019 by residents, who has a rare condition that alters the shape of his body.<\/p>\n
And while he might look a bit unusual at first glance, he\u2019s captured the hearts of locals after becoming an unlikely internet celebrity.<\/p>\n
Jimothy first attracted attention after Seattle resident Kiana Hall spotted him crouched beneath a parked car while she was out walking with her partner.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
She watched as the creature ran across a patch of grass and climbed a flight of stars before disappearing over a fence, capturing the footage online and posting it to Instagram, <\/a>giving the raccoon the affectionate but unusual name because she thought he \u2018looked like a Jimothy\u2019.<\/p>\n Naturally the clip attracted a flood of comments from folk who\u2019d fallen in love with Jimothy. \u2018Protect him at all costs,\u2019 one person said, while another added: \u2018I just want to hug Jimothy.\u2019<\/p>\n Over on Reddit<\/a> he also attracted his fair share of attention, with one user saying: \u2018I\u2019ve seen this dude in our Ballard backyard multiple times over the past year or so.\u2019 Another commented: \u2018This is the most Seattle animal possible.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Experts have suggested that Jimothy\u2019s unusual appearance is caused by short spine syndrome \u2014 a rare congenital condition that prevents parts of the spine from developing, significantly shortening it.<\/p>\n Typically it sees section of the vertebrae remaining as cartilage rather than developing into bone, with these areas fusing together, leaving sufferers with a shortened back, while legs continue to grow as expected.<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s good news for Jimothy as experts have said he appears healthy \u2014 and could likely survive in the wild.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tFollow Metro on WhatsApp to be the first to get all the latest news\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t Metro\u2019s on Whatsapp! Join our community<\/a> for breaking news and juicy stories.<\/p>\n Marcie Logsdon, an associate professor at Washington State\u00a0University\u2019s Veterinary Teaching Hospital,\u00a0 told the Seattle Times<\/a>: \u2018The fact that he\u2019s made it to this age tells me that he\u2019s managing and that he\u2019s adapting.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I was surprised and honestly a little bit inspired that he\u2019s that resilient.\u2019<\/p>\n Meanwhile Hall told the paper: \u2018I think times have been hard for everyone, so I\u2019m really happy to have posted something online that reaches so many people and makes them so happy.<\/p>\n \u2018I just hope [Jimothy] continues to live his life freely and I hope he can be healthy.\u2019<\/p>\n The lifespan of a healthy raccoon can vary wildly depending on its circumstances.<\/p>\n Those living in the wild can expect an average lifespan of just 2-3 years \u2014 with diseases such as rabies and distemper taking a toll on populations, alongside the dangers they face from predators such as coyotes, bobcats and other raccoons. Many are also killed by cars and other vehicles.<\/p>\n However, the lifespan of those living in captivity, away from such threats, can be considerably longer \u2014 as much as 20 years in some cases.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow \t\t\tComments \t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source \t\t\t\tNews Updates<\/p>\n Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reels\/DayHOfryG7Z\/\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305533202-a709.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s thought the creature has short spine syndrome (Picture: Instagram\/c1vrgr1)<\/p>\n![\"Apps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784684910_765_GettyImages-1632181964-e1700130460337.jpg\")
\n\t\tFollow us to receive the latest news updates from Metro (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Jimothy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305533101-2461.jpg\")
\n\t\tThat face (Picture: @degaussianfunction\/Reddit)<\/p>\n
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