Sometimes big ambition meets reality in the cutest possible way, and a new viral clip proves it. A chubby prairie dog has been making people laugh across social media after attempting a jump that looked simple on paper. The short video has racked up around 13 million views, partly because it feels so familiar. We have all had that moment of thinking, I’ve got this, right before things go slightly sideways.
The footage shows the determined little animal perched on a chair, eyeing a nearby table like it is the final boss of the living room. In the background, Kings of Leon’s ballad Use Somebody adds instant drama, as if the scene is building toward a heroic win. The prairie dog takes a quick run-up, commits fully, and launches itself toward the tabletop. For a split second, it really seems like the plan might work.
That is when the comedy lands. The prairie dog’s front paws manage to catch the edge of the table, creating a tiny moment of suspense. But the grip does not hold, and the would-be victory turns into a gentle tumble. Instead of sticking the landing, it slips backward, first dropping onto the chair again and then sliding down to the floor. The timing is so perfect that it feels almost choreographed, even though it is clearly just an honest miscalculation.
@iloveprariedogs NOOO!! O-CHAN!!!! #prairiedog #richardsongroundsquirrel #groundsquirrel #squirrels ♬ Use Somebody (I've been roamin around always lookin down) – Kings Of Leon
A slow-motion replay makes the whole sequence even funnier, highlighting the exact beat where confidence turns into defeat. Viewers have been calling it comedic gold because the contrast is irresistible. You get sweeping, emotional music paired with a clumsy little fall that is completely harmless. It is the kind of clip people replay over and over, not to be mean, but because the mix of determination and reality is oddly endearing.
Part of what makes videos like this travel so fast is how quickly they tell a story. In just a few seconds, you see the build-up, the bold attempt, the almost-there moment, and the unexpected flop. It is also a reminder that failing at something small can be strangely comforting to watch, especially when the stakes are low and the subject is a furry ball of confidence. If nothing else, the prairie dog is proof that trying counts, even when the outcome is a very short trip to the floor.
Have you seen an animal video that makes you laugh every single time, no matter how often it pops up again? Share your favorite in the comments.
