5 Animals Named After Popular Celebrities

It’s interesting to see that some animals are named after popular celebrities. Usually, animals get their names based on what they look like, where they live, or how they act. 

However, sometimes scientists decide to name animals after celebrities to honor their work in arts or science, or because they are fans of them. This shows a fun connection between the world of celebrities and the study of animals.

Here are 5 animals named after popular celebrities:

Beyoncé’s Fly The Scaptia beyonceae is a horsefly native to Australia, notable for its shiny gold-colored rear. This feature inspired scientists to name the fly after superstar Beyoncé, likening its unique backside to her famous glamorous style. Even in the animal kingdom, Beyoncé’s flair is recognised.

David Bowie’s Spider The Heteropoda davidbowie is a vibrant orange spider found in Malaysia. It was named after the iconic musician David Bowie, whose bold Ziggy Stardust era echoes the spider’s striking coloration.

Barack Obama’s Lizard The Obamadon gracilis, an extinct lizard that lived about 40 million years ago, was named after former U.S. President Barack Obama. This name was chosen to honor his inspirational leadership qualities, reflected in this species’ distinctive dental structure.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Beetle Found in Borneo, the Grouvellinus leonardodicaprioi beetle was named to acknowledge Leonardo DiCaprio’s significant efforts in environmental conservation. This small beetle represents a big thank you to the actor’s dedication to our planet.

Shakira’s Wasp The Aleiodes shakirae is a species of wasp known for its unique way of moving when it lays eggs, which reminded researchers of Colombian singer Shakira’s famous dance moves. This wasp’s name pays homage to her dynamic performances.