Top Ten Animals of 2012

Though the internet is known for its fierce love of cats, 2012 brought some new furry, slimy and feathery friends into our internet lives. Throughout the year, many of these animals provided a daily dose of cute and a welcome distraction from our hectic everyday lives.

#10: Henri, Le Chat Noir

Real Name: Henry Breakout: YouTube April 6th, 2012 Specialty: Known for suffering from a serious case of jaded ennui. Hates all other cats, especially the white one he lives with. Took home top honors at the first ever Internet Cat Video Film Festival in August. Social Media Stats: Facebook: 74,137 Likes | Twitter: 15,072 Followers Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Tubcat > I Should Buy a Boat Cat / Sophisticated Cat > Henri Le Chat Noir > HTTP Status Cats)

#9: Snoopy the Cat

Real Name: Snoopy Breakout: Weibo, February 2012 Specialty: Known for his short snout, large eyes and striped tail. Enjoys wearing hats and lounging on sofa beds. Social Media Stats: Weibo: 167,402 Followers | Instagram: 143,995 Followers | Facebook: 27,834 Likes (unofficial) | YouKu: 129 Subscribers | Tumblr Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Maru the Cat > Shironeko = Oolong the Pancake Bunny > Snoopy the Cat)

#8: Chocolate Bird

Real Name: Poopsie Breakout: Adam Sandler's 2011 film Jack and Jill, through a photoset on Tumblr, February 2012 Specialty: Launching copypasta memes, drinking Jack Daniels, guzzling sweet treats. Social Media Stats: N/A Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Chocolate Bird > Birds with Arms > Yelling Bird > Insanity Crow)

#7: Bad Joke Eel

Real Name: Unknown Breakout: Reddit, January 12th, 2012 Specialty: Fish puns. Social Media Stats: Quickmeme: 11,382 Submissions | Facebook: 1423 Likes | Twitter: 807 Followers Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Trolldad > Bad Joke Eel = Lame Pun Coon > Pokepuns)

#6: Venus the Two Faced Cat

Real Name: Venus Breakout: Facebook, August 14th, 2012 Specialty: Her black patch of fur straight down her face combined with two different colored eyes due to heterochromia makes this cat seem like a much fuzzier version of Batman villian, Two-Face. She enjoys cuddling, watching football and exploring cat condos. Social Media Stats: Facebook: 87,357 Likes | YouTube: 1256 Subscribers Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Longcat >Venus the Cat > Nora the Cat > Lenin Cat)

#5: Lil Bub

Real Name: Lil Bub Breakout: Facebook, May 27th, 2012 Specialty: This tabby cat is a permakitten with several genetic mutations which have caused dwarfism, polydactylism and disformed lower jaw. She and her dude have used her popularity to help raise money for shelters and animals in need. She also enjoys the band Rush. Social Media Stats: Facebook: 81,640 Likes | Instagram: 25,659 Followers | YouTube: 10,674 Subscribers | Twitter: 5382 Followers Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Serious Cat > Limecat > OMG Cat > Lil Bub)

#4: "Oh You" Dog

Real Name: Unknown Breakout: Reddit, March 4th, 2012. Specialty: Despite the photo of this chubby dog looking upward at its owner being first uploaded in March 2009, it was not until March of this year when it became associated with two separate memes. After becoming associated with the Oh, You! exploitable image, the dog was used in a YouTube remix fad known as 6O163's Dog. Social Media Stats: N/A Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Lawyer Dog > Oh You Dog = Riot Dog > Stoner Dog)

#3: Falling Bear

Real Name: Unknown Breakout: Reddit, April 26th, 2012 Specialty: Being tranquilized, falling from Colorado trees, perfectly timed photographs. Social Media Stats: Facebook: 1436 Likes Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Sneezing Baby Panda > Falling Bear > Cocaine Bear > Pick Up Line Panda)

#2: IKEA Monkey

Real Name: Darwin Breakout: Twitter, December 9th, 2012 Specialty: Wearing tiny shearling coats, escaping from his owner, successfully making it through IKEA without ordering Swedish Meatballs. Social Media Stats: Twitter: 6613 Followers | Facebook: 2455 Likes Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Nyan Cat > Keyboard Cat > Surprised Kitty = IKEA Monkey)

#1: Grumpy Cat

Real Name: Tardar Sauce Breakout: Reddit, September 23rd, 2012 Specialty: Eating Starbucks coffee cake, posting photos with her brother Pokey every day, not being as grumpy as she looks. Social Media Stats: Facebook: 173,955 Likes | YouTube – 32,925 Subscribers | Twitter: 16,579 Followers Celebrity Benchmark: Google Trends | (Nyan Cat > Grumpy Cat = Keyboard Cat > Surprised Kitty)