Pygmy Hippopotamus (JXK Studio)

Today, July 10^th, is a very special day. It’s Moo Deng’s first birthday! Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) that was born at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand and became a viral sensation in the summer of 2024. So popular was Moo Deng that she was featured in an SNL skit and in Google’s “year in review” Google Doodle video. To jump on the Moo Deng bandwagon, I wrote a review for Safari’s pygmy hippo last year and while it’s a fine representative of an adult pygmy hippo I needed something in my house that was more faithful to Moo Deng’s likeness.

Moo Deng’s popularity seems to have waned somewhat, as all things do, but I’m still a Moo Deng stan. That’s why when a resin figure of a “1/6 scale baby hippo” showed up on Big Bad Toy Store I immediately pre-ordered it, something that I’ve never done before! Although not marketed as a Moo Deng figure (the zoo has trademarked “Moo Deng the hippo”) it’s clear that she was the source of inspiration for this figure. The figure is made by JXK Studio, who makes a wide assortment of resin figures and a lot of excellent and affordable extant animals.

This pygmy hippo is posed mimicking one of Moo Deng’s many viral images, one in which her keeper is placing his hands around her body and her mouth is open and body tense with disapproval. This image was one of the earliest Moo Deng memes to go viral and solidified Moo Deng’s assigned personality as feisty and ungovernable. The figure captures her likeness well but is a bit chubbier than the actual Moo Deng. The name Moo Deng translates to “bouncy pork” which is a fitting name for the energetic baby hippo.

The figure measures 3.9” (10 cm) long and is advertised as being 1/6 in scale. To be that scale the hippo it’s scaled down from would have to measure about 24” (60.96 cm). The figure comes packaged in a small attractive box with a foam insert to protect it and a booklet showcasing other products by the company.

The figure is smooth with a shiny finish and fine pitted texture over the hide. Moo Deng appears perpetually moist thanks to the oily substance that all hippos secrete known as “blood sweat” or hipposudoric acid. It’s not actual blood or sweat but it does serve as a natural sunscreen and antiseptic. Although the secretion is initially clear it turns red and then eventually brown, hence the name blood sweat.

The roof of the mouth is toothless and gummy looking while some teeth are apparent on the lower jaw along with a tongue. The eyes are wide and bright, with some white showing along the edges that makes the figure a bit cartoony. Fatty skin rolls cascade down the neck and along the underside of the torso. The figure is painted brown with a gradual transition to pink along the cheeks, throat, and belly.

I’m strictly a toy collector so for me to buy a resin figure is a rare and special occurrence. In this case I needed to have a proper figure of Moo Deng on display in my home, as a reminder of the joy she gave me throughout the tumultuous summer of 2024. If you’re a fan of this celebrity hippo, then I highly recommend this model. JXK Studio also makes other hippo figures in various Moo Deng inspired poses. They’re all adorable but I think I’m content with just the one. The sleeping hippo is tempting though. This particular figure retails for $21.99 on BBTS.