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Favourite Scientific Names

Discussion in 'Zoo Cafe' started by Zoofan15, 3 Apr 2021.

  1. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Favourite Scientific Names

    What are our favourite Scientific names for species we see in zoos?

    My top three (in no particular order) would have to be:

    1. Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius):

    This appeals to me as a Sagittarius and a Slytherin.

    2. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus):

    What better way to describe the world’s only bear species to be considered a marine mammal?

    3. Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi):

    The camel leopard reference is great by itself; but what I really like is the choice to name this subspecies of the Northern giraffe after the Rothschild’s family. This is because it’s the only giraffe phenotype to be born with five ossicones on it’s head. This is a reference to the Rothschild family: The Rothschild coat of arms contains a clenched fist with five arrows symbolising the five dynasties established by the five sons of Mayer Rothschild, in a reference to Psalm 127: "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth."
     
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  2. Maguari

    Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

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    I defy anyone to say Upupa epops without smiling.

    Try it; it's impossible.
     
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  3. birdsandbats

    birdsandbats Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Crikey steveirwini
     
  4. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I had no idea that existed. I’m of course familiar with Elseya irwini.

    upload_2021-4-5_13-59-18.jpeg
     
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  5. HungarianBison

    HungarianBison Well-Known Member

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    Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Thayeria boehlkei, Odoceilus virginianus; these are almost unpronouncable names for me.
     
  6. DDcorvus

    DDcorvus Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Although only described from sub-fossil remains I really like Vini vidivici
     
  7. felis silvestris

    felis silvestris Well-Known Member

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    Bubo bubo Eurasian Eagle owl
     
  8. Springbok

    Springbok Well-Known Member

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    Western lowland gorilla (gorilla gorilla gorilla)
     
  9. Dassie rat

    Dassie rat Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Snails: Ba humbugi
    Beetles: Agra vation, Colon rectum
    Wasps: Aha ha, Pison eu
    Bugs: Cedusa medusa
    Moths: Leonardo davincii
    Flies: Tabanus nippontucki, Tabanus rhizonshine

    There was a bivalve named Abra cadabra
     
  10. TNT

    TNT Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Felis margarita, obviously.
     
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  11. DaLilFishie

    DaLilFishie Well-Known Member

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    Can't go past the classic Vampyroteuthis infernalis!!
     
  12. gentle lemur

    gentle lemur Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Uaru amphiacanthoides.
    I like its call-and-response quality ("Who are you?" "Amphi Acanthoides!") and I took me several attempts before I managed to pronounce it completely. On the other hand, I know of one fishkeeper who kept and bred the species, who called them 'Flymos' because of the way they ate the plants in her tank :)
     
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  13. JVM

    JVM Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I've always found this one confusing, which animal is it again?

    (It's also my favorite.)
     
  14. Osedax

    Osedax Well-Known Member

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    Strategus longichomperus

    Fiordichthys slartibartfasti

    Ittibittium (snails species in this genus are slightly smaller than those in the genus Bittium)

    Sarucallis kahawaluokalani (an aphid whose name means "You fish on one side of the lagoon and I'll fish on the other, and no one will fish in the middle")

    Ytu brutus

    Also,
    Agra culture
    Agra phobia
    Agra pefruit
     
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  15. DaLilFishie

    DaLilFishie Well-Known Member

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    I love this one!!
     
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