Animals are often named based on how they look, act, or where they live. But sometimes, scientists name new species after famous people. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Over time, researchers have named animals to honor celebrities, whether because of their impact on art, science, or just because the scientist is a fan.
Here are five animals that were named after famous people:
- Beyoncé’s Fly
Introducing Scaptia beyonceae, a unique species of horsefly from Australia. Scientists named it after Beyoncé because of its golden-colored rear end, which reminded them of her glamorous style. Even in nature, Queen Bey shines!
- David Bowie’s Spider
Heteropoda davidbowie is a vibrant orange spider found in Malaysia, named in honor of the iconic musician. Its bright color is a nod to Bowie’s famous Ziggy Stardust persona.
- Barack Obama’s Lizard
Obamadon gracilis is an extinct lizard that lived around 40 million years ago. This reptile, known for its sharp teeth, was named after Barack Obama as a tribute to his inspiring leadership.
- Leonardo DiCaprio’s Beetle
Grouvellinus leonardodicaprioi is a tiny beetle discovered in Borneo. The scientists who named it wanted to recognize DiCaprio’s dedication to environmental causes.
- Shakira’s Wasp
Aleiodes shakirae is a species of wasp named after Colombian singer Shakira. Its unique movement when laying eggs reminded scientists of her famous hip-shaking dance moves.
