zoonie

Zoonie is a fictional creature central to a multimedia franchise known as Zooniverse. Introduced as a friendly, small mammal-like animal, Zoonie appears across books, animated features, and interactive media, serving as a guide to nature and curiosity.

Physically, Zoonie is described as palm-sized to small-cat-sized with a rounded body, soft fur in various colors, large ears, and a short, tufted tail. Distinctive features include expressive eyes and a gentle demeanor. Variants may have markings that reflect regional habitats within the franchise’s world.

In its fictional ecology, Zoonie inhabits temperate forests and meadow edges. It is omnivorous, feeding on fruit, seeds, berries, and small invertebrates. Social and curious, Zoonies live in small family groups and use chirps, tail signals, and body postures to communicate. They are portrayed as intelligent but non-threatening to humans.

Within the franchise, Zoonie appears as the protagonist and companion in a series of books, a short-form animated program, and a child-friendly video game. The character is used to introduce basic biology, botany, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing observation, empathy, and problem-solving. Merchandise and educational materials accompany the release.

The name Zoonie derives from a blend of “zoo” and a diminutive suffix, aiming to evoke friendliness and approachability. The character's design and stories have influenced similar cute animal mascots in related media.