The 'Scared Hamster' meme, often identified as the 'Hamster Staring at Camera,' features a small rodent looking intensely and wide-eyed into a lens, capturing a look of pure existential dread. This viral sensation originated from a video of a hamster being startled, which quickly transitioned into a universal symbol for social anxiety, sudden realization, and being put on the spot. It is widely used across TikTok and Twitter to represent that frozen, 'deer in the headlights' feeling one gets when faced with overwhelming tasks or awkward social interactions. The meme's popularity stems from its absolute relatability and the high-contrast humor of such a small creature expressing such massive levels of concern.