Move aside Moo Deng! Baby pygmy slow loris is new internet sensation

When it comes to adorable animals, Grumpy Cat, Moo Deng or Pesto might be the first to spring to mind.

But these viral sensations have new competition from a captivating creature, which is taking social media by storm. 

The Bronx Zoo in New York has shared a video of a baby pygmy slow loris, born at the zoo’s new World of Darkness exhibit. 

This adorable species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened species, making this infant’s birth particularly special. 

While the infant is yet to be named, it has already gained several fans on social media. 

‘Cuteness level 3000% omg,’ one delighted fan commented on a video posted to Instagram.

Over on TikTok, one wrote: ‘LETS GOOOOOOO heck yes I love these little bug eyed babies so much I wish them nothing but safety and happiness.’

And one even joked: ‘Omg such cutie pies! The baby is basically 50% eyeballs.’    

Often described as resembling children’s teddy bears, pygmy slow lorises have large, round, forward-facing eyes. 

Their faces are patterned with light and dark fur, including circles around their eyes that almost resemble clown makeup. 

As the ‘pygmy’ part of their name suggests, these animals are very small. 

Even once they reach adulthood, pygmy slow lorises measure just six to 10 inches long (15 to 25 centimeters) and weigh about one pound. 

For context, that makes them even smaller than the average squirrel! 

This adorable infant was born on December 13, 2025, although it’s yet to be named, or its gender confirmed. 

Footage shared by the zoo shows its mother carrying the infant on her stomach, intermittently ‘parking’ on branches while she searches for food. 

As it grows, the baby will become more active and independent, becoming fully weaned by around six months of age. 

Bronx Zoo shared a video of the video on Instagram, much to the delight of many animal lovers. 

‘Ugh my heart. so adorable and so endangered,’ one person commented. 

Another wrote: ‘Congratulations!! a wonderful accomplishment. can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the family!’

And one simply added: ‘I’m losing my mind.’

Meanwhile, over on TikTok, a video of the baby shared by @secretnyc_ has garnered huge attention. 

‘I didn’t know tater tots grew legs omg,’ one viewer commented. 

Another added: ‘I thought that was the baby but then there was an even babier baby.’

And one quipped: ‘I love these creatures. They always look like they’re looking anxiously at something.’ 

The news comes shortly after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shared a video of a tiny crab dubbed the ‘cutest in the world’.

In the video, the tiny creature can be seen in the palm of a researcher’s hand, with its beady black eyes standing out against its pink, spiky body.

‘This is the cutest, spikiest, tiniest crab in the world! (Don’t quote us on that—it’s called hyperbole),’ it tweeted.

‘oh my GODDDDD what species is he?? im in love,’ one viewer replied.

Another joked: ‘He looks like he just woke up from an incredible nap.’