What Species are the Sesame Street Characters Supposed to Be?

Monsters, humans, animals - where do Sesame Street characters fit in?

When it comes to understanding the Sesame Street universe, one question often lingers in the minds of fans: What species do these beloved Muppet characters belong to? While it might seem trivial, this query provides a fascinating journey into the intricate world of Muppet creation and character design.

Exploring the Muppet Species

One of the first things that comes to mind when discussing Sesame Street characters is the Muppet family. The term "Muppet" is a neologism coined by Jim Henson, bringing together different categories of characters into a single, unified taxonomic term. However, not all Muppets fit neatly into the same classification. Let's delve deeper into the species breakdown and see which categories these iconic characters belong to.

Human-Muppets

The Human-Muppets category includes characters who share traits with both humans and Muppets. These individuals often have the expressive capacities of Muppets but also possess human-like characteristics. Here's a list of notable Human-Muppets:

Bert - The colorful and jester-like character who is friends with Ernie. Ernie - A bright yellow character who is all about sharing and being funny. Hubert - Bert's big brother who makes his occasional appearances. Guy Smiley - A kind, news presenter who is known for his round glasses and crewcut. Roosevelt Franklin - The dapper, black businessman who teaches financial literacy and storytelling. Count von Count - The friendly vampire who loves to count. Betty Lou - The yellow paper doll who loves to sing and pretend.

Animal-Muppets

The Animal-Muppets are a diverse group that includes characters modeled after different animals. These Muppets often possess mammalian traits with a whimsical twist. Some of the notable Animal-Muppets include:

Big Bird - The endearing, cantankerous bird who loves to sing and play. Kermit the Frog - The green amphibian who is the show's charismatic host and performer. Barkley - Big Bird's loyal and round-eyed dog. Snuffy - Big Bird's brother, a floral and worn-looking creature. Blind Bird - Big Bird's ornithologist friend who becomes blind for a time. Baby Bear - A huggable and cuddly character who is part of the Bear family.

Monster-Muppets

The Monster-Muppets are perhaps the most recognizable, with their human-like traits combined with exaggerated facial features and expressive bodies. This category includes some of the most iconic Sesame Street characters:

Elmo - The lovable red monster who is known as a young triad of fairy tale characters. Abaouf - A little girl whose skin is covered in a pink bird-like crest. Oscar the Grouch - The green, trash-loving character who lives in a trash can. Harry - A striped and colorful monster who shares a home with a dog. Zoe - A pink monster who shares her home with a bear. Grover - The grey furry monster who is known for his ability to transform into various objects and characters. Cookie Monster - The famous purple monster who is always hungry and at times, struggles to control his cravings.

Conclusion

Sesame Street's Muppet characters are a testament to the creativity and imagination of Jim Henson and his team. Each character, be it a Human-Muppet, Animal-Muppet, or Monster-Muppet, plays a unique role in bringing the world of Sesame Street to life. Whether they are cuddly, groovy, or highly expressive, these memorable characters continue to enchant and educate young and old audiences alike.