Spell It: How internet fame is affecting exotic animals

Cats may be internet royalty, but other animals are fast gaining celebrity status – and paying the price.

Click start to play today’s Spell It, where we find endangered animals gaining a ‘solid’ following on social media networks.

From axolotls to capybaras, animals that appear cute or ‘ugly-cute’ (strange looking creatures with baby-like traits that make us think they’re in need of our care or company) are starring in videos with billions of views on TikTok. People then add captions, anthropomorphising them, further adding to their appeal. While such videos inspire many people to care more about wildlife, it also may cause hidden harm.

Here's how all the adulation impacts these animals’ welfare, according to an April 2023 report in the National Geographic:

1. Axolotls

Native to Central Mexico, these tiny amphibians are critically endangered due to pollution, habitat loss and invasive species. There are only 50 to 1,000 left in their original habitat. But with over 3.1 billion views on TikTok, axolotls are quickly being sought out as pets. With their big heads, large eyes, and undeniable cuteness, along with the fact that they have featured in popular video games like Fortnite and Minecraft, axolotls’ popularity has skyrocketed over the years. Animal shelters in New Zealand experienced the consequence of this rise in popularity in 2022, when they had to take in thousands of axolotls, after ignorant buyers accidentally bought breeding pairs that produced hundreds of eggs.

2. Ball pythons

According to the National Geographic report, seeing a snake activates the part of the brain that is responsible for our flight-or-fight response. But by maintaining a safe distance, and knowing they’re in no danger, people have watched videos of ball pythons at least 2.3 billion times on TikTok. Their striking pattern and their refreshingly relaxed attitude has been thought to have a calming effect on viewers. But such exotic pets have specific needs, from appropriately spaced enclosures to the right temperature and humidity. A study published in the journal Animal Welfare in January 2023 found that 54.7 per cent of snakes were kept in enclosures where they couldn’t fully stretch out, and 48.1 per cent of owners never measured the space’s humidity.

3. Bearded dragons

Indigenous to Australia, these lizards are among the most popular reptile pets, and have over 2.2 billion TikTok views. With pointed faces, and spikes under the chin that puff out and darken when they feel threatened (or when they want to impress females), they are both wild and domestic – and hark back to prehistoric times. Like snakes, though, these reptiles require a lot of care, from ultraviolet B lighting to calcium supplements – something the average pet buyer may not concern him/herself with.

4. Capybaras

Last but definitely not the least, the world’s largest rodent is now a TikTok star, with over 6.8 billion views. Capybaras are native to South America, and look cute and vulnerable, which could play into our care-giving impulse. A Russian musician even created a popular song inspired by the capybara, reminiscent of Baby Shark. Like other species, though, capybara need immense care when it comes to food, housing, healthcare, behaviour, and mental state – something that’s difficult to achieve for even the most experienced pet owner.

What do you think of how fame is affecting these animals? Play today’s Spell It and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.