Jimothy the raccoon survived against the odds, a testament to sophisticated brains and devoted mothers

By Kelly Lambert Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Richmond

(The Conversation) As a neuroscientist who studies raccoon and rats, I see the viral story of Jimothy the raccoon as a compelling tale of an animal overcoming disability and surviving in the wild.

Jimothy, the unique-looking raccoon living in Seattle, became an internet celebrity over the course of a week in July 2026, thanks to a viral Instagram post that has amassed millions of views…