How do I make a DIY Animal Muppet head?

You can cover a construction hard hat or balloon papier-mâché base with neon pink and orange faux fur, adding large felt eyes, a big orange felt nose, and a wide black felt mouth with white felt teeth.

What kind of clothes does Animal wear?

He typically wears a tattered orange or yellow vest/shirt, ragged brown pants cut off at the shins, a rope belt, and a spiked collar with a chain.

Is this costume comfortable for hot weather?

The tattered shirt and cropped pants are very cool, but a heavy faux-fur wig or mask can get warm. Take breaks from wearing the wig if you get too hot.

AI-generated example

Animal Costume

Unleash your inner wild drummer with this chaotic Muppet look.

Animal is the wild, drum-playing force of nature from The Muppets' Electric Mayhem band. Popular for his chaotic energy and rock-and-roll spirit, this costume is a hit at parties and music events. The look centers on a shaggy pinkish-red headpiece, a spiked collar with a chain, and tattered rock-band attire.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~45 min
Budget: $30–80

See yourself as Animal →What you need Buy the Animal costume

Try it on

See yourself as Animal

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

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One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.

Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.

Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

Animal costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Animal

Result

What you need for a Animal costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Animal costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.

Shop Animal at Spirit ↗

Shaggy Pink and Orange Wig
A voluminous, messy wig in neon pink, red, and orange tones to mimic Animal's wild fur.
DIY: Buy a cheap pink wig and use orange fabric markers or hair chalk to add bright orange and yellow streaks, then tease it heavily.
Amazon
Spiked Collar with Chain
A wide black faux-leather collar with silver studs and a lightweight silver plastic chain hanging from the center.
DIY: Cut a strip of black felt, glue on silver cardboard triangles for spikes, and attach a painted plastic toy chain.
Amazon
Tattered Orange Shirt
A bright orange crewneck t-shirt with the sleeves and hem roughly shredded.
DIY: Take an old orange t-shirt and use scissors to cut jagged, tattered edges along the sleeves and bottom hem.
Amazon
Ragged Brown Pants
Brown or khaki pants cut off unevenly at the shins.
DIY: Cut the bottom cuffs off an old pair of brown pants or sweatpants in a jagged zig-zag pattern.
Amazon
Rope Belt
A simple length of thick, off-white cotton rope tied around the waist.
DIY: Use a length of clothesline or utility rope from a hardware store, knotting the ends to prevent fraying.
Amazon
Wooden Drumsticks
A standard pair of wooden drumsticks to carry as his signature accessory.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Animal costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Shred the sleeves and bottom hem of your orange t-shirt to give it a wild, tattered look.
2
Cut your brown pants just below the knee in a jagged, uneven pattern to mimic Animal's ragged trousers.
3
Tie the thick cotton rope around your waist as a belt, letting the ends hang down slightly.
4
Put on the shaggy pinkish-red wig, shaking it out and teasing it to maximize its messy, voluminous texture.
5
Fasten the spiked collar around your neck and drape the plastic chain over your chest.
6
Grab your wooden drumsticks and practice your best wild, wide-eyed expression.

Makeup & hair

If not using a full mask, wear a messy, oversized neon pink and orange wig. Apply orange face paint to your nose to mimic his round snout, and use black eyeliner to draw thick, expressive eyebrows above your eyes.

Animal for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair up with Floyd Pepper, Janice, or Kermit the Frog.
group: Assemble the entire Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band.
kids: Use a cozy orange fleece jumpsuit with a fuzzy pink hood and felt teeth.
Plus size: Opt for an oversized orange tee and stretchy brown sweatpants cut at the calves for a comfortable fit.
pet: A simple spiked collar and a small pink fuzzy headpiece for a chaotic pup.

Tips

Keep the chain lightweight; use plastic costume chains rather than real metal to avoid neck strain.
Carry your drumsticks everywhere and tap them on safe surfaces to stay in character.
Wear comfortable sneakers, as you'll likely be jumping around to match Animal's high energy.

Animal costume FAQ

How do I make a DIY Animal Muppet head?: You can cover a construction hard hat or balloon papier-mâché base with neon pink and orange faux fur, adding large felt eyes, a big orange felt nose, and a wide black felt mouth with white felt teeth.
What kind of clothes does Animal wear?: He typically wears a tattered orange or yellow vest/shirt, ragged brown pants cut off at the shins, a rope belt, and a spiked collar with a chain.
Is this costume comfortable for hot weather?: The tattered shirt and cropped pants are very cool, but a heavy faux-fur wig or mask can get warm. Take breaks from wearing the wig if you get too hot.

Did you know? Animal was inspired by famous rock drummers like Keith Moon of The Who and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac.