SerpApi.Org
There’s no masking the sad truth about Seattle’s superstar raccoon.
The deformed critter who went ultra-viral for his bizarre backbone — and lovable misfit energy — is doomed to live a short life because his spine condition makes it harder to evade predators and hunt, experts told The Post Friday.
The freaky furball, dubbed “Jimothy” by locals, suffers from short spine syndrome, a rare congenital condition that affects “almost zero” percent of animals, veterinarians said.
“If he doesn’t have the flexibility and agility to move from predators, this could turn out to be a sad story,” said Brian Collins of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. “I’d be concerned his biggest predator would be dogs or cars.”
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Jimothy’s malformation could make it hard to climb trees, which raccoons use for shelter and breeding, and to forage for food, Collins said.
Animals with short spine syndrome also often have joint problems and compressed organs, which can make them prone to vomiting and constipation, he said.
Unlike domesticated dogs with the condition, there’s nobody to care for Jimothy — making the trash bandit more likely to kick the bucket.
“Most likely, since he’s not normal and he doesn’t have direct care like a dog, we would have to assume his life would be shorter,” Collins said.
“But we’ll certainly cheer him on and hope for the best.”
Collins warned against trying to capture or feed the animal, and said urban access to food along with Seattle’s moderate climate could offer some survival hope.
Jimothy — who looks like a cross between an alien-baboon and a cat — went viral this week as thrilled resident shared footage of him scampering through backyards and onto balconies.
Fans went wild for the magnificent mutant, calling him “the most Seattle animal possible” and gushing it’s a “hot Jimothy summer.”
Dr. Marcie Logsdon, associate professor at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, had a more optimistic outlook on the raccoon’s lifespan.
“The question is, is the animal able to find food and are they able to move?” she said. “Jimothy seems to do both of those things reasonably well.”
“His best shot and life is going to be out in the wild,” she said, adding he’s likely young.
“Time will tell.”
