Zoos and aquariums have been busy with a clever animal rebranding effort, posting photos of animals with less subtle names that are less about science and more about human psychology — like Stabby Rainbow Chicken or Barking Fuzz Potato. Here are just some of the best ones making the rounds on the Internet.
"It's not a phase, Mom!" #RebrandASpecies #TheInternetNamesAnimals pic.twitter.com/P5GAqOjiLo
— Central Florida Zoo (@Centralflzoo) May 10, 2018
"Parrot" is such an overused word. #RebrandASpecies #TheInternetNamesAnimals pic.twitter.com/h9gK8lL2H6
— Central Florida Zoo (@Centralflzoo) May 10, 2018
aka the most dangerous animal on earth #RebrandASpecies pic.twitter.com/gUMGA2ROuj
— San Diego Zoo (@sandiegozoo) May 10, 2018
Well, what would YOU call 'em? #RebrandASpecies pic.twitter.com/kmhvgKPQSS
— NEW Zoo (@NEWZOOGB) May 10, 2018
#RebrandASpecies
A great present for dirty roommates. pic.twitter.com/R1fL6SZBHm— Seattle Aquarium (@SeattleAquarium) May 10, 2018
#rebrandASpecies
earn rewards points by switching to deforestation-free palm oil today pic.twitter.com/cAxYjBir0m— Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) May 10, 2018
#TheInternetNamesAnimals
Two years ago, people were also inspired to “rebrand” animals after a certain vessel was renamed Boaty McBoatface.
That ridiculous moniker made headlines thanks to a public plea from Britain’s Natural Environment Research Council to come up with a name for its new $288 million polar research vessel. The internet suggested such fine candidates the RRS Henry Worsley, after the British explorer who passed away earlier this year, as well as the RRS David Attenborough, after the famed naturalist. And then came the entry of the RRS Boaty McBoatface.
A $300 million polar research ship in the UK could be called 'Boaty McBoatface' https://t.co/PzHs6AKULP pic.twitter.com/WMFxjUH1Ml
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2016
Boaty McBoatface is hilarious. And while the NERC was pleased with the worldwide attention it’s gained from the poll, it’s was quick to add that it will have the final say over the name.
In other words, Boaty McBoatface was as good as sunk.
Undeterred, the internet forged ahead and took an amusing stab at renaming animals in the spirit of McBoatface. Below are just a few of our favorites under the hashtag of #TheInternetNamesAnimals.
American Murder Log #TheInternetNamesAnimals pic.twitter.com/SdEqt99NrW
— Jarod K. Anderson (@JarodAnderson) March 22, 2016
Hidey McSlowpoke #TheInternetNamesAnimals
(Find out more about our friend Hidey at https://t.co/b1BaPtoVqK) pic.twitter.com/WBaAgHmtAP
— Joshua Tree NPS (@JoshuaTreeNPS) March 22, 2016
Swimy McOHMYGODWTF #TheInternetNamesAnimals pic.twitter.com/1WqKFd9k1l
— Pröf-like Substance (@ProfLikeSubst) March 22, 2016
Cuddlebug McNope #TheInternetNamesAnimals pic.twitter.com/xfl1CvzrZg
— Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) March 22, 2016
Leggy McSparklebum #TheInternetNamesAnimals #wildoz pic.twitter.com/GRq9gfRIus
— Bronwen Scott (@Snailseyeview) March 21, 2016
#TheInternetNamesAnimals Deady McLongtime pic.twitter.com/7bUm27YFYs
— Ronald Jones & Wukkup (@ConnorBlades) March 21, 2016
Grumpy McNoisyButt #TheInternetNamesAnimals pic.twitter.com/91tnnKGVB1
— Rob O' Sullivan (@Rob0Sullivan) March 21, 2016
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