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An animal’s name can sometimes contain a lot of information about the animal, including its appearance, habitat, and behavior. Some names sound a little silly but are otherwise correct, while others seem to have no relation to the animal at all, like the kind of name you would give for pets. This article covers some interesting details about the top 10 funny animal names and nicknames in the English language.
The blue-footed booby may have a ridiculous name, but this native of the eastern tropical region Pacific Coast is an accomplished diver, soaring high in the air and plunging into the water at tremendous speed to catch his quarry. The English name dumbass is believed to be based on the Spanish slang term bobo, meaning foolish or stupid because the bird would land on ships to be easily caught and eaten by hungry sailors. This is an unfair characterization because these birds have many unique abilities. To keep cool in their warm, tropical environment, they defecate on their feet and flutter their throat sacs to promote evaporation. And in the breeding season, the male starts an intricate dance with his blue webbed feet to impress a mate. The flock does not build a nest like most birds, but instead lays its eggs on the bare ground.
#9: Pink Fairy Armadillo
pink fairy may be one of the funnier animal names, but it’s also an accurate way to describe this species. At only about 3.5 to 4.5 in length, it is the smallest armadillo in the world. It also has a yellowish-pink coat that covers most of the body except for the enlarged digging claws and saddle-shaped shell. Native to the sandy scrub of central Argentina, the pink elf armadillo spends all night hunting for hidden underground insects. One of his nicknames is the sand swimmer because apparently he can dig through the sand just as fast as a fish can swim through the sea. While there isn’t enough information to determine its conservation status, numbers appear to be declining throughout its natural range due to habitat loss, poaching and dog attacks. Sightings have become rarer with each passing year.
#8: Aye-aye
Native to the tropical forests of Madagascar, the aye-aye is the world’s largest nocturnal primate. This strange looking lemur, with its large, round eyes, narrow snout, huge ears and rambunctious hair, can hunt grubs by tapping the tree bark. When he has found a hollow space, he will gnaw a hole in the wood and stick his long middle finger in it to pull out the larvae. While the more technically correct name of the long-fingered lemur is also used, the aye-aye has persisted since the late 1700s. The name is thought to be derived from the local indigenous term for the species or from a cry of exclamation and excitement (which does not make the animal real). When threatened or excited, the long white hairs on the tip will stand on end, making the aye-aye appear much larger than it actually is.
#7: Screaming Hairy Armadillo
The screaming hairy armadillo is named for both its remarkably hairy body and the sound it emits when predators are nearby. The thick hair emerges between the bony armor plates of overlapping scales that protect the head and body. When threatened, it makes a loud squeaking noise and then curls up into a ball. The screaming hairy armadillo is native to dry tropical forests, grasslands, scrub and deserts throughout central Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Nocturnal in summer, but diurnal (active during the day) in winter, it only lives in underground caves for most of the year. This species has a normal lifespan of eight or nine years in captivity, but many of them die early from habitat loss or deliberate human hunting (they are considered agricultural pests).
#6: Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko almost looks like something made up in a video game or movie. Native to the tropical forests of the large African island Madagascar, this species has an unusual mottled brown or yellow body and a flattened tail (complete with leaf-like spines and veins) that provide natural camouflage from predators against the trees in which it resides. Their ability to hang motionless from a branch or lie in leaves upside down also greatly aids in the camouflage effect. If the camouflage fails, the gecko will try to scare the predator by opening its red mouth and screaming loudly. As a last resort, it can also shed its tail and escape quickly. Since it has no eyelids, this gecko will wipe away any dust or debris in its eye with its long, flexible tongue.
#5: Frie
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Egg Jellyfish
The bell of this jellyfish sort of looks exactly like an egg yolk floating through the water, while the purple appendages and white stingers flowing behind it look a bit like a frilly ruffle at the nape of the neck. While these appendages are very effective at catching and eating small plankton, the sting is so mild that fish take shelter under the huge bell and sometimes even crabs piggyback. There are three recognized species, which can be found across the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean. Although they have the ability to move with the power of the pulsating bell, they remain motionless in the water for much of the time to feed. the short life cyclelasting only six months between summer and winter, may be an adaptation to the major seasonal changes of the local ecosystem.
#4: Lumps
Native to the cold waters of the Arctic, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific, the 30 known species of the clubfish family have an extremely bizarre appearance that is as weird as their name. The scientific name of Cyclopteridae comes from two Greek words: kykios, meaning circle, and pteryx, meaning wing or fin. This is a reference to the fish’s modified pelvic fin, which contains numerous adhesive discs to allow it to stick to a suitable surface. Although relatively poor swimmers, their camouflage ability allows them to escape detection from predators against the rocky or muddy floor of the ocean, down to depths of about 5,600 feet. Some species are also covered with four to eight long spines to ward off predators.
These fish are surprisingly popular with some Japanese aquariums, where they make a cute backdrop for birthday parties, weddings and corporate events. They are also sometimes released salmon fishing to destroy harmful sea lice without the use of chemicals. However, they are not suitable for pets.
#3: Sarcastic Fringehead
The Sarcastic Fringehead is a bizarre looking fish that lives in the depths of the Northeast Pacific, where it lurks in burrows or tube-like structures made by other creatures. The most notable feature is the large mouth which helps to establish dominance. When two males compete for territory, they press their open mouths together (almost like a kiss) to determine which is the larger fish. The smaller Fringehead usually takes off without a fight. The female will then lay her eggs in the shelter of the dominant male so he can protect them. They apparently eat a wide variety of prey, including plankton and squid.
#2: Sparkle muffin
Sparklemuffin is not just one of the funny animal names. It is also the name of a peacock spider, so named for their unusual courtship rituals. The male’s brightly colored belly and third pair of legs, with which they sway in a bizarre dance, help them attract a suitable mate. In 2015, a University of California graduate student discovered two new species of peacock spiders in Queensland, Australia. She affectionately nicknamed them sparklemuffin and skeletonorus, respectively. Sparklemuffin has blue and red stripes on its belly, while skeletorus has white markings on a black background.
#1: Wobbegong with tassels
The Tasseled Wobbegong takes the top spot for funny animal names. Native to the shallow coral reefs off the coast of Australia and Papua New Guinea, this member of the carpet shark family lies motionless along the ocean floor with its amazing camouflage and ambushes passing by. Although not very big for a shark (he is about four feet tall), he has a voracious appetite. It was once caught on film eating a bamboo shark that was about 80% of its total size. The name wobbegong has native Australian origins, but it’s not clear exactly what it means. Tassel refers to the odd fringes that protrude from the edge of the body to help it blend in with its surrounding environments. It has been known to bite and kill humans, perhaps mistaking them for its natural prey.
Next one: Top 10 Ugliest Dogs
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