For people who love a prickly pet, look no further, Japan-based Instagrammer Shota Tsukamoto has created an Instagram account featuring Darcy the hedgehog and has recently gone viral. Tsukamoto features her pet in a series of fun and extremely cute shots, like placing Darcy in a series of cups, playing with a mini globe, crawling into a cup, imitating the Joker in a stack of cards, holding a tiny pot of cactus, thinking in terms of apples, sitting in a shoe and many more.
The hedgehog is three years old and was named after the bass player in the band The Smashing Pumpkins. Tsukamoto has created a profile for Darcy as a "pointy, edgy girl." Weening away from traditional images of prickly and dangerous hedgehogs, the display of Darcy in comical and often hilarious situations deconstructs the traditional notion of the pet into an affectionate creature.
Check out Darcy's instagram for cuter pictures, @darcytheflyinghedgehog.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Animal Influencers
- Opportunity for brands to partner with popular animal social media accounts to promote their products or services.
- Cute Pet Photography
- Growing demand for professional pet photography services specialized in capturing adorable moments of pets like hedgehogs.
- Deconstructing Traditional Pet Perceptions
- Chance for innovative entrepreneurs to challenge traditional stereotypes of pets and create unique pet personas.
Where This Applies
- Social Media Marketing
- Social media agencies can tap into the trend of animal influencers to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
- Pet Photography Services
- Establishing a business that offers professional pet photography targeting hedgehog owners and enthusiasts.
- Pet Product Design
- Designing and manufacturing innovative products catering to the needs and aesthetics of unconventional pets like hedgehogs.
