# Raccoon of Unusual Size goes viral in Seattle **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 17, 2026, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737 "2026-07-17T02:49:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/1 "2026-07-17T02:49:28Z")
The internet is going wild over “Jimothy”, a raccoon with a congenital spine defect that’s been sighted multiple times around the Ballard neighborhood of late. [![](https://d10mddyfy9fw9w.archive.is/qldJR/be63d129250703bf64b415615e5ec76373e9e29f.webp) ](https://d10mddyfy9fw9w.archive.is/qldJR/be63d129250703bf64b415615e5ec76373e9e29f.webp) > **[Meet ‘Jimothy,’ Seattle’s internet-famous raccoon](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/meet-jimothy-seattles-internet-famous-raccoon/)** > > The tiny beast has been spotted twice in Ballard this summer and appears to be doing well, despite a likely congenital deformity, an animal expert said. > **[Eccentric-looking Seattle raccoon named ‘Jimothy’ goes viral](https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/eccentric-looking-seattle-raccoon-named-jimothy-goes-viral/VSRYCD2IH5HTDPY6ZNWNAII33M/)** > > There's Bigfoot...and then there's Jimothy. According to veterinarians who have seen video of Jimothy, he appears to be a young adult that is in good health and capable of fending for itself. People are starting to treat him as a mascot, with multiple sightings being reported on r/seattle. Animal services advises that if you encounter him, leave him be. That’s all. Just wanted to share an amusing piece of local color. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/2 "2026-07-17T11:47:34Z")
More like Racoon Of Unusual Spine. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/3 "2026-07-17T12:08:21Z")
As long as it’s still ROUS we’re all good. Go Jimothy; live long and prosper! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/4 "2026-07-17T12:18:25Z")
“ROUSes? I don’t think they exist.” ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/5 "2026-07-17T12:51:42Z")
I’m a little concerned that he’s walking around in broad daylight, unless that photo was taken at pre-dawn or dusk and lightened up. I’ve always heard that a raccoon that’s out and about in the daytime means it could be rabid. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/6 "2026-07-17T13:38:18Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’m a little concerned that he’s walking around in broad daylight, unless that photo was taken at pre-dawn or dusk and lightened up. I’ve always heard that a raccoon that’s out and about in the daytime means it could be rabid. - Is that a fact or just a hunch? \< flees \> ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/7 "2026-07-17T13:44:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Is that a fact or just a hunch? A hunch, back of note. Our dame rings a bell. (That tortured sentence pun would work a _little_ better if the raccoon had been female 😊) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/8 "2026-07-17T13:53:28Z")
We, of the Raccoon Illuminati, praise Brother Jimothy, for his courage. May Death come swiftly to his enemies. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/9 "2026-07-17T14:44:08Z")
Looks like it could be an Oatmeal drawing, and the Oatmeal actually drew the raccoon as well: > **[Jimothy - The Oatmeal](https://theoatmeal.com/blog/jimothy?no_popup=1)** > > I drew a raccoon and other important updates. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/10 "2026-07-17T19:25:03Z")
If his spinal problems make it difficult for him to compete with other 'coons at night in the woods, he may find things easier in daylight urban areas. They do have a lot of teeth, at any time and place. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/11 "2026-07-17T20:00:37Z")
I admire Jimothy’s smile and optimism in the face of disability. I also admire the intelligence and dexterity of his species. I’ve told the story before of how years ago, when I lived in Toronto, the city introduced the first special garbage bins intended for compostable kitchen waste. They were equipped with “raccoon-proof” latches of sufficient complexity that some humans had problems with them. The raccoons did not. In fact I imagined that in many woodland clearings there would be a Raccoon Professor with a whiteboard and a pointer giving lessons. The city eventually had to recall and replace all the bins with new ones that were built with new latches designed in consultation with raccoon experts, or possibly, actual renegade raccoons. For some reason we have no raccoons in this area, just a lot of bunny rabbits. And, sadly, the occasional skunk. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/12 "2026-07-17T20:19:28Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > For some reason we have no raccoons in this area, just a lot of bunny rabbits. And, sadly, **the occasional skunk.** - To quote [Emmymade](https://www.youtube.com/c/emmymade/videos) “So stinkin’ cute” ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/13 "2026-07-17T20:26:24Z")
I am pleased to report that Jimothy now has his own subreddit. > **[Reddit - Please wait for verification](https://www.reddit.com/r/JimothyTheRaccoon/new/)** Also, our local equivalent of the Onion has an article on him. [https://theneedling.com/2026/07/16/whole-nation-misses-presidents-speech-because-jimothy/](https://theneedling.com/2026/07/16/whole-nation-misses-presidents-speech-because-jimothy/) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/14 "2026-07-17T20:33:26Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve told the story before of how years ago, when I lived in Toronto, the city introduced the first special garbage bins intended for compostable kitchen waste. They were equipped with “raccoon-proof” latches of sufficient complexity that some humans had problems with them. The raccoons did not. Heh, reminds me of what a Yosemite park ranger supposedly said in response to the question of why they couldn’t come up with a completely bear-proof garbage can: “There is considerable overlap between the intelligence of the smartest bears and the dumbest tourists.” I guess that applies to raccoons too. A story I heard second-hand, but easily believe, is of campers who left their cooler out overnight. It was ransacked by raccoons, but carefully-- there was a package of American cheese singles in there, and the raccoons had carefully unwrapped each cheese single from its plastic wrap before eating them. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/15 "2026-07-17T20:51:44Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve told the story before of how years ago, when I lived in Toronto, the city introduced the first special garbage bins intended for compostable kitchen waste. They were equipped with “raccoon-proof” latches of sufficient complexity that some humans had problems with them. The raccoons did not. Interesting. In my neighbourhood, I have noticed a huge decrease in the number of raccoons prowling around at night since the new green bins were introduced. (Could be coincidence, I suppose.) On the other hand, our dog got sprayed by a skunk in our backyard a couple of weeks ago and she still stinks a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/16 "2026-07-18T00:35:43Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’m a little concerned that he’s walking around in broad daylight, unless that photo was taken at pre-dawn or dusk and lightened up. The Tiktok that first went viral was taken about 8:30 PM Monday night, which right now is about half an hour before sunset. Since then, pictures and videos of him at various times of day and night have come forward. Someone even posted a picture that was taken in 2017, implying that Jimothy is either extremely long-lived for a wild raccoon or is just the latest in a long line of Jimothies to call Ballard home. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/17 "2026-07-18T01:22:45Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Jimothy is either extremely long-lived for a wild raccoon or is just the latest in a long line of Jimothies to call Ballard home. Jimothy is what the world needs right now. Hopefully he has a long-life and many offspring. And gets his fill at Dicks. [![](https://i.imgur.com/7v779aC.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/7v779aC.png) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/18 "2026-07-18T01:29:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Someone even posted a picture that was taken in 2017, implying that Jimothy is either extremely long-lived for a wild raccoon or is just the latest in a long line of Jimothies to call Ballard home. Maybe the stature and spinal curvature actually confer some evolutionary advantage, and there have already been many Jimothys. I, for one…eh, never mind. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/19 "2026-07-18T05:11:55Z")
# **[Raccoon of Unusual Size goes viral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737)** um… so you mean it’s got rabies? > [@wguy123](#): > > Jimothy is what the world needs right now. Hopefully he has a long-life and many offspring. And gets his fill at Dicks. Go eat a bag of Dick’s! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737/20 "2026-07-20T04:41:35Z")
Ladies and gentlemen, Jimothy has won the World Cup. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:higqz4kyoadqqbiswjebe4ib/bafkreiecbjk4xxocwvvvrl6cwkb4qieruygm4gr7rwzp3e2syqnjxethme) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:higqz4kyoadqqbiswjebe4ib/bafkreiecbjk4xxocwvvvrl6cwkb4qieruygm4gr7rwzp3e2syqnjxethme) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raccoon-of-unusual-size-goes-viral-in-seattle/1031737.md?page=2)