Vancouver seal, sea otter join Knights of the Rotund Table
A Vancouver rescue seal has been named a “Knight of the Rotund Table,” joining the likes of Thailand’s infamous pygmy hippo Moo Deng, and netting a slice of viral fame thanks to the wildly popular ongoing video series.
The “Knights of the Rotund Table” is a viral TikTok trend that features adorable, rotund animals represented as knights gathered at a mythical round table, similar to King Arthur’s legendary knights. The concept, spearheaded by TikTok user Indy (@indipine), began as a fun way to celebrate chubby animals and quickly gained popularity. Each “knight” is usually a cute or plump animal, often depicted in regalia.
The “Knights” started with an online competition to determine who was cuter: Moo Deng or Pesto the penguin.
Indy declared both, along with Hua Hua, who was already famous as a panda who was chubbier than most, the Knights of the Rotund Table.
Given that the actual Knights of the Round Table had many members, she decided to add more members (25) via internet votes and created little comic drawings of each. She’s also linking to the sanctuaries where some of the “knights” are located so people can donate to support their favourite animals, including Vancouver’s Biscuits.
Biscuits named to the “Knights”
The campaign has taken off with millions of views and hundreds of thousands of votes. Among the earliest to be voted in (after being nominated late and shooting to the top of the rankings) is Biscuits, currently residing at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mamma Rescue Centre.
Biscuits was a latecomer to the voting process and, as such, Indy decided to allow an emotional support animal/squire: Luna the sea otter pup.
“Take a seat you slippery little prince,” says Indy in the announcement for Biscuits.
Given that the Knights of the Rotund Table is based on the Knights of the Round Table, each knight is being linked to one of the legendary warriors. For example, Hua Hua is King Arthur, Pesto has taken Merlin’s spot, and Moo Deng fills Sir Lancelot’s slot.
In Biscuits’ case, it’s Sir Percival the Innocent, who was known for being gracious, innocent, and childlike.
Since Biscuits joined last week, several other knights have joined, including Mole the sloth, Tehya the black bear, Cinder the porcupine, and Mebo the red panda.
@indipine THE 5TH KNIGHT HAS BEEN REVEALED!!! WHO WILL BE OUR 6TH?? 🫡⚔️🏰 #huahua #moodeng #pesto #knightsoftherotundtable #babyanimals #chonky #kingarthur #biscuitstheseal #vancour #otter #luna #marinerescue ♬ original sound – -`ˏ indy ˎ´-