Written by Ad OpsOverview and Reputation
Animal Face is a sativa-leaning cultivar bred by Seed Junky Genetics that has rapidly earned a top-shelf reputation for potency, flavor, and bag appeal. Sometimes labeled as Animal Face #10, it is known for delivering a full mind-and-body numbing high that settles into euphoric calm while keeping the head bright. The profile skews gassy, piney, and diesel-forward with zesty citrus and a sweet cookie-dough finish. Its popularity has spread coast to coast in the U.S. and Canada, with consistent demand in both flower and pre-roll formats.
In 2024, budtenders in New Jersey collectively named Animal Face the state’s best strain, underscoring its mainstream traction and connoisseur appeal. Reviewers frequently report feeling uplifted, relaxed, and surprisingly focused, an uncommon trio for a strain this potent. It’s often recommended by budtenders for adventurous daytime sessions or intense creative sessions, though newcomers should tread lightly. The hype isn’t just marketing—Animal Face stands on the shoulders of elite genetics and delivers high test numbers and a distinctive terpene signature.
In the last several years, Animal Face has become a breeder and selector favorite, spawning notable offspring and selections such as Blue Face by Fig Farms from a pack of Animal Face seeds. Industry lists highlight it as a go-to for “gassy” lovers, often recommended alongside other contemporary heavy-hitters. With OG roots and modern Cookies influence, it bridges classic and new-school expectations. Between awards, consumer buzz, and expansion into multiple legal markets, Animal Face is firmly established as a modern staple.
While effects can vary by phenotype and tolerance, many experienced consumers describe the onset as fast and enveloping. The high is frequently intense in the first 15–30 minutes, before leveling into a steady, euphoric cruise. Given its strength, a single session can feel like an “event,” especially with higher-THC batches. That intensity, coupled with remarkable flavor, explains why Animal Face consistently earns premium shelf placement.
Breeding History and Genetic Lineage
Animal Face traces to Seed Junky Genetics, a prolific house known for breeding high-impact cultivars with stellar resin and flavor. The consensus lineage is Face Off OG crossed to Animal Mints, marrying a classic OG backbone to a sweet, minty Cookies derivative. Face Off OG contributes the signature fuel-kush nose, heavy resin, and body-soothing depth. Animal Mints layers in doughy sweetness, a minty lift, and modern dessert-like complexity.
Face Off OG is legendary in its own right, and you rarely see it in pure form in dispensaries; instead, it powers famous crosses that dominate top-shelf menus. Industry coverage notes that Face Off OG has fueled winners like Animal Face, Blue Face, and Dosidos, illustrating how influential this line remains. In Animal Face, that OG core is evident in the fuel-and-pine base and the anchored, narcotic body wave. The Animal Mints side helps sharpen the citrus and add a creamy, cookie-like mid-palate.
The sativa-leaning nature of Animal Face surprises some consumers who expect an OG-heavy strain to behave strictly as a sedative. Instead, the headspace often opens up, with focus and uplift riding shotgun over a deep, cushioning body effect. This balance likely reflects the specific terpene ratios selected by Seed Junky as much as the raw parentage. Phenotypes with brighter limonene-pinene stacks can feel especially cerebral despite high THC.
The line has also proved fertile for further breeding and selection. Blue Face, for example, was selected by Fig Farms out of Animal Face seeds, validating the line’s stability and potential for elite pheno-hunting. As Animal Face propagates across markets, local cuts may emphasize different facets—some leaning more gassy OG, others more minty-dough. This diversity keeps the strain fresh for connoisseurs who enjoy hunting subtle differences in flavor and effect.
Botanical Appearance
Animal Face generally displays medium-tall stature with pronounced vigor in early and mid-veg. Internodal spacing is moderately tight for a sativa-leaning plant, allowing dense cola formation with proper training. The structure takes well to topping, low-stress training, and SCROG, making it easier to manage height and boost light penetration. Expect a noticeable stretch after flip, often 1.5–2.0x depending on environment and phenotype.
Mature flowers present as dense, spear-shaped colas with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio and heavy resin coverage. Colors range from lime to deep forest green, often accented by lavender-to-purple hues in cooler night temperatures. Abundant, bright orange stigmas create dramatic contrast against the frosty trichome blanket. The trichome heads are plentiful and bulbous, which hashmakers prize for solventless yields.
Under magnification, trichome density is high across bract surfaces and sugar leaves, forming a greasy, glittering crust. Resin glands can be fragile near full maturity, so gentle handling during harvest and trimming preserves potency and flavor. Buds cure to a sticky, slightly tacky feel when dialed correctly, reflecting their oil-rich composition. The bag appeal is unmistakable—tight structure, thick frost, and complex coloration.
Visually, Animal Face occupies a sweet spot between OG chunkiness and Cookies-style aesthetic refinement. With ideal cultivation, flowers show minimal foxtailing and retain compact density despite sativa leanings. Growers who provide uniform PPFD and manage heat load can further tighten structure. Finished buds are photogenic, with a “dripping in frost” look that speaks to their potency.
Aroma and Bouquet
The first impression from a well-grown jar of Animal Face is a wave of jet fuel, pine needles, and sharp citrus. Underneath, a doughy sweetness and faint mint note appear, reminiscent of the Animal Mints parent. Many batches lean diesel-forward with lemon rind and cracked black pepper, a profile consistent with limonene and caryophyllene dominance. As the buds break apart, the resin releases deeper earthy-kush tones with hints of floral linalool.
Fresh-grind aroma often intensifies the gas and brightens the citrus to almost candied levels. Some phenotypes also show a cool, menthol-adjacent edge, particularly from plants that express more of the Mints side. On exhale, the pine element expands, pushing toward a foresty, terpene-rich scent that lingers in the room. The bouquet is assertive and persistent, easily filling a space within minutes.
Chemically, the “gas” perception in cannabis can be linked to both terpenes and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that deliver skunky-fuel cues. While not measured in every batch, VSCs like 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol have been implicated in ultra-gassy strains, which aligns with the experience of many Animal Face jars. Limonene supports the sparkling citrus, while beta-pinene and alpha-pinene underpin the coniferous tone. Caryophyllene rounds out the savory-spicy base that OG lovers recognize.
In retail settings, staff frequently call out Animal Face as a “gassy, pine” pick, and it has even been highlighted in seasonal pre-roll lists for those aroma traits. Pre-roll products in Canada have featured sativa-dominant Animal Face with limonene, myrcene, and linalool listed as prominent terpenes, echoing consumer reports. Proper curing enhances the bakery-sweet undertone that keeps the nose from feeling one-dimensional. The overall effect is both aggressive and refined—loud, but layered.
Flavor and Mouthfeel
Animal Face’s flavor closely mirrors its aroma, erupting with fuel and pine on the first inhale. Lemon-zest brightness lifts the top notes, while a soft cookie-dough sweetness fills the mid-palate. Some tasters catch a cool, minty echo on the finish, especially in phenotypes leaning toward the Animal Mints side. The retrohale commonly reveals peppery spice and earthy kush depth.
On the second and third pulls, the diesel component often intensifies, delivering a thick, oily mouthfeel. The pine persists, giving the impression of chewing on resinous needles balanced by citric snap. High-quality batches maintain clarity through the bowl, with little flavor collapse as temperatures rise. Residual sweetness lingers on the tongue, tempering the overall bite.
Vaporizer sessions tend to highlight the lemon and mint facets at lower temperatures. Between 175–185°C, limonene and linalool expressions are vivid and delicate, while higher temps boost the caryophyllene-driven spice. Flower smoked in a clean glass piece leans more gasoline-forward, with a crisp pine exhale. Hash rosin from Animal Face can taste extra loud, concentrating the fuel and pastry-like undertones into a punchy, dessert-gas hybrid.
The finish is long, with diesel and citrus clinging to the palate for several minutes. A faint floral thread may emerge as the bowl cools, softening the aftertaste. Well-cured buds offer a smooth, buttery texture with minimal throat bite. Poorly cured batches, by contrast, can read harsh, obscuring the nuanced bakery notes that make Animal Face special.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Animal Face routinely posts high THC numbers, placing it in the upper bracket of contemporary flower. Verified certificates of analysis (COAs) from multiple legal markets commonly show total THC in the 22–28% range by weight, with occasional elite batches nudging past 30%. Total cannabinoids often land between 24–32%, reflecting minor contributions from CBG, CBC, and trace THCV. CBD is typically negligible at <1%.
CBG content tends to be modest but measurable, often 0.3–1.0%, which may contribute to the balanced feel despite high THC. Trace THCV (≤0.2% in many tests) can add a subtle, crisp edge to the head high in certain phenotypes. As always, results vary by cut, nutrition, and harvest timing, but Animal Face’s baseline potency is consistently robust. It is not an entry-level strain, and dosage control is key for pleasant experiences.
In consumer feedback, the intensity of onset is a recurring theme. Many report feeling a tangible shift within 2–5 minutes of inhalation, peaking around 20–30 minutes and then tapering into a steady plateau. Higher doses can induce mild sensory saturation and couch-lock despite the strain’s sativa lean. Smaller doses, conversely, often deliver focus and uplift with manageable body comfort.
Lab trends suggest total terpene concentrations around 2.0–4.0% by weight are common in top-shelf Animal Face, supporting vivid flavor and robust entourage effects. That terpene load helps explain why batches with identical THC can feel different across producers. In short, Animal Face brings substantial horsepower and a complex chemical chorus that magnifies its impact. For newer consumers, starting with a single, modest inhale and waiting 10 minutes is prudent.
Dominant Terpenes and Chemical Nuance
Limonene is frequently dominant in Animal Face, aligning with the lemon-rind brightness and mood lift many users report. Typical limonene levels for loud, citrus-forward chemotypes range from 0.6–1.2% by weight, though expression can swing by phenotype. Beta-caryophyllene is often the second- or third-most abundant terpene at 0.4–0.8%, underpinning the peppery-spicy frame and potentially engaging CB2 receptors. Myrcene commonly appears at 0.4–0.9%, offering earthy depth and easing the body into relaxation.
Linalool adds a floral-lavender accent around 0.2–0.5% when present, which can soften the intensity and promote calm. Pinene (both alpha- and beta-) often falls in the 0.2–0.4% range, reinforcing the coniferous note and potentially sharpening focus and memory recall in the short term. Some cuts show ocimene or humulene as notable contributors, adding sweet-herbal and hoppy-citrus complexities. The total terpene sum commonly exceeds 2% in premium indoor flower, amplifying aroma and perceived potency.
“Gas” perception is not solely from terpenes; volatile sulfur compounds can provide the skunky-fuel spark. While not routinely quantified on retail COAs, modern research has identified VSCs as key to that nose in certain cultivars. Many Animal Face batches present that unmistakable fuel density, consistent with at least trace VSC contribution. Storage and curing conditions greatly influence how vividly these notes persist over time.
It’s worth noting that terpenes can degrade with heat, light, and oxygen. Consumers seeking maximum aroma can use lower-temp vaping or small, fresh bowls to preserve limonene and linalool. Growers can preserve terpenes through careful late-flower climate control and slow, cool curing. Given Animal Face’s terpene-forward identity, post-harvest handling is especially consequential.
Experiential Effects and Use Cases
Animal Face is often described as simultaneously uplifting, relaxing, and focusing when used at moderate doses. The first phase feels bright and engaging, with mood elevation and sensory enhancement. Many users report a smooth transition into body comfort without immediate lethargy. A sense of steady concentration can make it appealing for creative tasks, gaming, or immersive films.
At higher doses, the OG influence asserts itself, delivering a heavy, numbing body effect. This can evolve into couch-lock or a hazy calm depending on tolerance and context. The headspace remains expansive but can become overwhelming for novices, especially during the peak. For that reason, pacing is recommended, particularly with potent batches above 25% THC.
Anecdotal reports suggest Animal Face pairs well with music production, digital art, movie marathons, and outdoor walks where aromas and scenery can be savored. One memorable description likens the experience to strapping into an intense movie ride, reflecting the strain’s immersive quality. Social settings can be pleasant if doses are conservative, keeping conversation fluid and upbeat. Overconsumption, though, can induce quiet introspection or early exits from gatherings.
Timing-wise, many find late afternoon into evening ideal for balancing productivity and wind-down. Daytime use is feasible for experienced consumers who microdose or use vapor at lower temperatures. Nighttime use can be deeply relaxing, though the mental brightness may not be ideal for immediate sleep for some. Hydration, snacks, and a comfortable setting contribute to the best experience.
Potential Medical Applications
Nothing in this section constitutes medical advice; consult a licensed clinician for personal guidance. That said, Animal Face’s chemistry suggests potential value for certain symptom profiles. The combination of high THC, limonene, and pinene may support mood lift, motivation, and short-term focus for some users. The caryophyllene-myrcene-linalool stack, in turn, may provide body comfort and ease physical tension.
Common anecdotal use-cases include stress reduction, relief from transient low mood, and easing of muscle tightness. Some users with attention challenges report improved task engagement at small doses, especially via vaporization in the 175–185°C range. Others describe post-exercise recovery benefits due to the strain’s body-soothing character. A subset of consumers find it helpful for appetite stimulation during periods of reduced hunger.
High-THC strains can also aggravate anxiety in sensitive individuals, so careful titration is crucial. Starting doses as low as 2–3 mg inhaled THC equivalent can be sufficient for functional relief in many people. Consumers who are prone to racing thoughts might prefer evening microdoses or blending with a CBD-dominant strain. Tracking dose, setting, and outcomes over several sessions can help personalize results.
Limited preclinical research suggests caryophyllene’s CB2 activity may contribute to anti-inflammatory effects, while linalool and myrcene have been studied for calming and muscle-relaxant properties. Limonene has been investigated for mood-related pathways, though human data remain early and mixed. These mechanisms are probability-based, not guarantees, and individual responses vary widely. Medical cannabis patients should consult providers, especially when combining with other medications.
Cultivation Guide: From Seed to Cure
Animal Face is well-suited to intermediate and advanced growers who can manage stretch, feed accurately, and preserve terpenes. Indoors, a 9–10 week flowering window is typical, with many phenotypes finishing between day 63 and day 70. Outdoor harvest usually falls from early to mid-October in temperate zones. Yield potential is strong with training—indoor runs commonly hit 450–600 g/m², and well-grown outdoor plants can reach 1.5–2.5 kg per plant.
Germination and early veg thrive at 24–26°C with 65–75% RH and gentle airflow. Maintain a DLI of 18–25 mol/m²/day for seedlings and early veg, ramping to PPFD 400–600 µmol/m²/s by late veg. Ideal root-zone pH sits at 5.8–6.0 in hydro/coco and 6.2–6.5 in soilless/soil. Start nutrients lightly (EC 0.8–1.0) and increase to 1.4–1.8 EC in late veg as vigor increases.
Animal Face responds well to topping at the 5th–6th node and subsequent low-stress training to establish a flat, even canopy. SCROG or trellis support mitigates stem flop in late flower as colas weight up. Defoliation should be moderate—remove large, shading fans in week 2 of flower and again around week 5 for airflow, but avoid over-stripping. Expect 1.5–2.0x stretch after flip; plan vertical space accordingly.
During bloom, maintain day temps around 24–26°C with lights on, dropping to 20–22°C lights off to encourage color and terp retention. Target VPD at 1.2–1.4 kPa in early flower, rising to 1.4–1.6 kPa mid-flower, then easing to 1.1–1.3 kPa in the last two weeks. Keep PPFD at 800–1000 µmol/m²/s in weeks 3–6, tapering slightly if leaf temps rise or CO2 is not supplemented. With CO2 enrichment (900–1200 ppm), Animal Face can handle 1000–1200 µmol/m²/s and deliver denser flowers.
Nutritionally, Animal Face appreciates steady nitrogen in early flower, but excess N beyond week 3 can mute terps and darken leaves. Phosphorus and potassium should ramp from week 2–6 to support resin and flower density; many growers find success with a PK boost around week 4–5. Calcium and magnesium supplementation is often beneficial in coco and under high-intensity LEDs. Aim for bloom EC 1.8–2.2, adjusting based on runoff and leaf tip behavior.
IPM should be proactive, especially against spider mites and powdery mildew, which can target dense OG-influenced flowers. Implement weekly scouting, clean intake filtration, and foliage sprays in veg using biologicals like Bacillus subtilis and Beauveria bassiana as appropriate. Avoid foliar applications after week 2 of flower to protect resin quality. Good airflow (0.5–1.0 m/s across canopy) and robust dehumidification are essential in weeks 6–10.
Harvest timing is vital for capturing Animal Face’s character. For a brighter, more sativa-leaning effect, chop at roughly 5–10% amber trichomes with a majority cloudy. For heavier body effects, wait until 15–25% amber while ensuring no bud rot. Watch pistil recession and calyx swell as secondary cues, and avoid pushing beyond optimal to preserve terpenes.
Post-harvest, adopt a slow, cool dry: 16–18°C, 58–62% RH, 7–14 days depending on bud size. Gentle whole-plant or large-branch hangs protect trichomes; avoid high-velocity fans directly on flowers. When stems snap rather than bend, move to cure in airtight containers at 58–62% RH. Burp daily for the first week, then 2–3 times weekly for another 2–3 weeks.
Under dialed conditions, solventless hash yields can be impressive thanks to abundant, mature heads. Many growers report strong returns in 73–120µ fractions with loud, fuel-forward rosin. Keep wash temps low and avoid excessive agitation to protect the delicate minty-citrus top notes. For flower, a 3–6 week cure often marks the flavor peak, with shelf life extended by cold, dark storage.
Post-Harvest Handling, Curing, and Storage
Drying Animal Face at 60°F (15.5–16.5°C) and 60% RH—often called the “60/60” method—preserves terpenes and color. In practice, allowing a slight RH glide from 60% toward 58% over the week helps avoid mold while preventing over-drying. Darkness during dry prevents UV degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes. Gentle handling is crucial because mature trichome heads can detach with rough contact.
Once jarred, aim to stabilize internal jar humidity at 58–62% using hygrometers and two-way humidity packs if necessary. Burping is most active in the first 7–10 days to release built-up moisture and exchange air. If RH rises above 65% in the jar, open longer or return buds to a paper bag temporarily to wick moisture. If RH drops below 55%, a humidity pack or small orange peel for a few hours (then removed) can help, though packs are more precise.
The cure unlocks the complexity that defines Animal Face—diesel, pine, citrus, and dough integrate into a cohesive bouquet between weeks 3 and 6. Chlorophyll edges soften, and the mouthfeel becomes silkier as moisture equalizes within the flower. Avoid frequent jar opening after stabilization, as oxygen exposure accelerates terpene loss. Label jars with harvest and jar dates to track peak windows.
For longer-term storage, keep sealed jars in a dark place at 10–15°C if possible; every 10°C rise can double certain degradation rates. Freezing sealed, fully cured buds can be effective for multi-month preservation, but thaw sealed to room temp before opening to prevent condensation on trichomes. Separate storage is advised for rosin or extracts, ideally refrigerated or frozen in light-proof containers. With proper handling, Animal Face can maintain top-tier aroma for months.
Comparisons, Crosses, and Market Presence
On the flavor spectrum, Animal Face sits between classic OG fuel-pine and modern dessert-gas. Compared to pure OG cuts, it adds a sweeter, mint-dough mid-palate and often a slightly brighter headspace. Against dessert strains, Animal Face pushes more diesel and forest notes, appealing to connoisseurs who find straight sweets cloying. It’s a bridge cultivar that satisfies both camps.
Within the Seed Junky family, it shares genetic threads with Animal Mints lines that include minty, doughy dessert traits. Face Off OG’s influence keeps the effect grounded and the aroma loud, which is why the strain resonates with fans of Dosidos, Kush Mints, and other OG/Cookies hybrids. Phenotypes vary—some jars shout lemon-fuel, others whisper mint-cream under gas—giving retailers flexibility to curate. Many markets report it as a reliable top-shelf mover with strong repeat buys.
Industry recognition has accelerated its rise. Budtenders in New Jersey awarded it “Best Strain” in 2024, praising the gassy, pine-led experience. Seasonal pre-roll features have highlighted sativa-dominant Animal Face SKUs listing limonene, myrcene, and linalool. Meanwhile, it continues to win over coast-to-coast audiences with high potency and unmistakable aroma.
Breeding-wise, Animal Face has already contributed notable descendants and selections. Fig Farms’ Blue Face emerged from a pack of Animal Face seeds, underscoring its breeding utility and genetic depth. Growers and pheno-hunters value the line for resin and flavor stability while still offering meaningful variation to explore. Given its momentum, expect more named cuts and crosses in the near future, further cementing its legacy.
