Vancouver seal joins Moo Deng, Pesto the Penguin as latest addition to viral 'Knights of the Rotund Table'
Move over Moo Deng, there’s a new adorably plump creature taking over the internet.
A Vancouver Aquarium rescue seal named Biscuits has been named as one of the latest inductees to the viral “Knights of the Rotund Table,” a TikTok trend created by social media influencer @Indipine that has transfixed the online community.
A spoof of the Knights of the Round Table, the “Knights of the Rotund Table” viral trend features roly-poly infant animals as bestial representations of King Arthur’s legendary 12 knights.
The charming internet craze began in September when the TikToker thrust two-month-old pygmy hippo Moo Deng and fluffy penguin Pesto into the spotlight during a celebration of chubby animal babies, initiated by the already famous panda Hua Hua.
After followers of @Indipine began pitting Moo Deng and Pesto against each other in a competition of cuteness, the TikToker felt compelled to explain that the two are not fighting for a top spot but instead are colleagues on the same level.
All three, she explained, were part of the “Knights of the Rotund Table.”
To fill the remaining 22 seats at the fictional table @Indipine requested her 311K followers nominate their own favourite fubsy creatures.
Among the requirements laid out by the TikToker are nominees “must be a baby in age or in a professional capacity,” and “must be an absolute unit.”
Biscuits joined the ranks after the aquarium’s rescue centre posted a video introducing the cute newcomer, causing nominations to flood the TikToker’s poll shortly after.
The video, which showed the forlorn-looking, wide-eyed pup alongside the caption “When all you hear all day is ‘Moo Deng’ and ‘Pesto’ but never ‘Biscuits the seal,’” has since garnered over 21K views.
Biscuits secured a spot as a late contender and was announced as the newest knight the following day.
The seal had been “a literal overnight sensation,” that had “taken the polls by storm,” said @Indipine in the online announcement.
Because “overnight fame can be quite overwhelming,” the TikToker said Biscuits would be granted emotional support companion Luna, a sea otter pup who also resides at the Vancouver aquarium.
Each portly animal inducted to the table has been linked to the most fitting legendary knight on Arthur’s original table, with Biscuits likened to Sir Percival. Not only because “they both look close to tears at any moment,” but because both Sir Percival and Biscuits are known for their childlike innocence, @Indipine said in the viral video.
With all the paunchy characters highlighted in the “Knights of the Rotund Table” being from rescue and rehabilitation organisations, or members of an endangered or protected species, the TikToker has included links to the various fundraisers and fundraisers to encourage support from followers.
Fans of Biscuits can virtually adopt the pudgy pup via the Marine Mammal Rescue Society, after which they’ll receive an adoption card and certificate.
According to the rescue centre, Biscuits was admitted on August 2 after being found near the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, separated from her mother.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
opinion King Charles' Christmas: Who's in and who's out this year?
Christmas 2024 is set to be a Christmas like no other for the Royal Family, says royal commentator Afua Hagan. King Charles III has initiated the most important and significant transformation of royal Christmas celebrations in decades.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
Oysters distributed in B.C., Alberta, Ontario recalled for norovirus contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall due to possible norovirus contamination of certain oysters distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.