Moo Deng vs Pesto: Who’s the Better Icon?

Since September, baby animals have taken the internet by storm. The two stars of the show are Pesto the penguin and Moo Deng the pygmy hippo. Even though the two babies are in two different countries, their viral videos have attracted viewers from across the globe.

On July 10, 2024, Moo Deng was born in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand. Before her birth, the K.K.O.Z. had already delivered a baby pygmy hippo from her parents, Tony and Jonah, and had named the male calf Moo Tun. He is the only full-blooded sibling Moo Deng has, but she was born after her half-sisters: Koh, Kanya, Moo Palo, and Moo Wan. Moo Deng was born over 6 months before Pesto, allowing for her to gain popularity with a large number of people on platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), and Youtube. Prior to Pesto’s introduction. 

Her original rise to fame was due to her funny attitude that many viewers have found enjoyable to watch. Though her adorable face is what won over so many fans the fastest.

In comparison, Pesto was born on January 30, 2024, in the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium of Melbourne, Australia. While Pesto doesn’t have as many family members as Moo Deng, he does have his parents: Blake and Tango. However, Blake does not raise Pesto, instead leaving that role to another penguin in the exhibit named Hudson. 

The main reason why the baby penguin gained eyes from around the world was due to his height. According to workers at S.L.M.A., Pesto is now “35 inches [2’9”] tall, and he weighs 50 lbs.” His size isn’t the only large thing, his appetite is too. CNN reporter, Lilit Marcus, stated that Pesto gets fed “…about eight fish, four times a day – more than 30 fish a day – twice as many as the average adult penguin.” His mass and fluff have made him an icon on the internet and the newest rival of Moo Deng.

After Pesto started to gain traction, a “cute-off” started across many social media platforms. Many animals across the world have tried to put their name in the ring of icons, with the one getting the closest to this glory was Hua Hua, a giant panda cub from China. However, not even Hua Hua has been able to surpass either of the two internet sensations.

Though many people have their own opinions, personally Moo Deng is my favorite of the two.She won me over with her fiery personality mixed with a side of adorable faces. In comparison, for me, I think Pesto is just large, he doesn’t have much personality in comparison to Moo Deng, which I think is why I prefer Moo Deng.