What is Animal?

[Drtooth]

With the muppets, there are many characters made without a specific species, like Gonzo (who was found to be an alien), Scooter (who I say is a human), or even Animal. What is he? Here's my hypothisis:

I used to think animal was an ape, later on I thought he ws a monster (maybe a Frackle). But now I am convinced he is a... HUMAN!!! Here's why:

Take for example Donnie on the The Wild Thornberries (I can't stand that show, but I'm using it to bring up a point). He's a wildman, or a person in a ferral state. I think that this is what Animal is. A wild man.

[Skeeter Muppet]

My vote's on missing link of some sort. Not quite human, but human enough to emulate (and understand) emotions, tell right from wrong, and be a darn good drummer to boot

As for Scooter, there is that ad-libbed exchange between Kermit and Scooter backstage at TMS (never aired, unfortunately). As quoted from the rec.arts.henson+muppets FAQ:

Christopher Finch, in the almost-definitive "Of Muppets and Men," relates the following ad-libbed exchange on the backstage of "The Muppet Show": "Kermit/Jim Henson turns to Scooter/Richard Hunt and asks, 'What are you anyway?' 'My mother was a parrot,' Scooter replies. 'We don't know about my father. It was during the war.' 'Really?' says Kermit. 'Which side was he on?'"

-Kim

[Aerosmith]

He's supposed to be a WILD MAN!

[rexcrk]

Scooter I think is a human

Animal on the other hand, I don't know Just a wild man who hasn't shaved in YEARS!

[sarah_yzma]

I like the missing link theory

[TimRizzo]

I don't what he is, but I think he dyes his hair. Don't tell me that's his natural color.

[rexcrk]

One thing I'm pretty sure about: he hasn't had sex in a long time I mean, look at him: in Great Muppet Caper, Muppets take Mahattan, and Muppets from Space he was like "WO-MAN! WO-MAN! WO-MAN!"