From meerkats to memes: Viral animals that broke the internet

Following the recent meerkat meme explosion—where videos of the upright, socially alert mammals are being used to depict nosey neighbors, dramatic side-eyes, and “monitoring group chats” energy—the internet is once again proving its unmatched affection for animals. But meerkats are just the latest to join the meme hall of fame. Here’s a look back at other iconic animals that took over the timeline.

Grumpy Cat: The Original Meme Celebrity

Grumpy Cat, whose real name was Tardar Sauce, rose to internet stardom in 2012 after photos of her permanently grumpy expression went viral on Reddit. Her iconic frown turned into a relatable image of sarcasm and social fatigue, used in memes expressing frustration, disappointment, or anti-hype sentiments. She amassed millions of followers across platforms, secured endorsement deals, and even inspired merchandise, books, and a TV movie. More than just a meme, Grumpy Cat became a brand, setting the standard for how pet virality could translate into real-world fame.

Doge: A Shiba Inu That Became a Crypto King

Doge started with a Shiba Inu named Kabosu, whose wide-eyed, awkward smile was paired with phrases in broken English—“so scare, much wow, very fast”—written in Comic Sans. The meme’s surreal tone caught fire in 2013, becoming a global internet language of its own. Doge evolved beyond humor and became the face of Dogecoin, a parody cryptocurrency that later gained real value after endorsements from Elon Musk and Reddit communities. Today, Kabosu remains a legendary internet figure and a powerful symbol of how memes can shape financial culture.

Pepe the Frog: From Wholesome to Controversial

Originally a chill, stoner frog from Matt Furie’s comic Boy’s Club, Pepe the Frog went viral as a meme expressing everything from joy to sadness and smugness. His most famous expression—“feels bad, man”—became a staple of internet lingo. However, as the meme gained traction, it was co-opted by fringe political groups, leading to controversy. The creator, Matt Furie, eventually launched campaigns to reclaim Pepe’s image, emphasizing its peaceful, non-political origins. Pepe remains one of the internet’s most powerful and complicated meme icons.

Sneks: Danger Noodles and Nope Ropes

Sneks reimagined snakes as unexpectedly adorable. Internet users gave them nicknames like “danger noodles” or “nope ropes,” paired with funny captions that framed them as confused, shy, or overdramatic creatures. These memes softened public perception of snakes—long feared or disliked—by turning them into humorous personalities. The playful tone, often accompanied by cartoonish sound effects or captions like “heck off, human,” made sneks an instant hit among Gen Z and animal meme lovers.

Kermit the Frog: The Meme That Sips and Spills

Kermit the Frog became the face of passive-aggressive internet commentary through the “sipping tea” meme. The image shows Kermit calmly drinking Lipton tea, usually accompanied by shade-throwing captions like “but that’s none of my business.” It quickly became a go-to format for expressing judgmental or ironic observations about everything from relationship drama to celebrity gossip. The meme was particularly popular on Black Twitter, where it was used to highlight social hypocrisy in a witty, non-confrontational way.

Harambe: The Gorilla That Sparked Global Outrage

In 2016, Harambe, a 17-year-old gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, was shot after a toddler fell into his enclosure. The incident caused massive controversy, with debates around parenting, animal rights, and zoo safety flooding social media. Harambe quickly became a meme, with phrases like “Dicks out for Harambe” spreading across platforms in both satire and sympathy. While some mocked the overreaction, many others saw the memes as a form of protest. Harambe’s death became one of the first viral moments to blur the line between meme culture and activism.

Trash Doves: The Purple Bird That Couldn’t Stop Bouncing

The Trash Dove—a floppy purple cartoon pigeon—first appeared as a Facebook sticker in 2017. It quickly went viral thanks to a bizarre animation where the dove bobs its head wildly. Users began inserting it into random memes, gifs, and reaction videos. In Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, the meme took on an additional layer of local humor, while globally it became a chaotic symbol of random internet energy. Trash Dove’s absurdity made it both beloved and bewildering.

Nyan Cat: The Pixelated Pioneer of Viral Gifs

Nyan Cat, a flying cat with a Pop-Tart body trailing a rainbow, became a sensation in 2011. Set to an impossibly catchy Japanese song, the 8-bit animation looped endlessly as it soared through space. Nyan Cat represented a golden age of early YouTube and meme culture—pure, surreal, and universally shareable. Its influence was so strong that in 2021, the original gif was sold as an NFT for nearly $600,000, proving that meme nostalgia has actual economic value.

READ ALSO

10 fascinating things to know about meerkats

Where are meerkats most common in the world? A look at their native habitats

Meerkat meme mania: How a toothpick-holding animal took over Nigerian and South African social media

Pawpaw vs. Meerkat: How two meme legends captured the Nigerian Internet

Meerkat meme fever: Nigerian celebrities who have joined the viral trend

What’s a meerkat? All to know about animal behind Nigeria’s viral meme

How a meerkat became Nigeria’s latest meme star

Meerkats: The Newest Internet Darlings

Now, meerkats are taking over TikTok, Instagram, and meme pages worldwide. Their upright posture, quick movements, and naturally expressive faces lend themselves perfectly to reaction content. From “when you hear your name in gossip” to “that one friend who doesn’t mind their business,” meerkats are becoming the internet’s visual representation of nosiness and group dynamics. The trend is growing fast, with audio memes and video duets turning the desert-dwelling creatures into global stars.