Red panda, guinea pigs, and other animals with totally misleading names
Some animals have names that don’t match what they actually are, often due to old naming traditions, appearances, translations, or misconceptions. Here are animals whose names are surprisingly misleading.
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Red Panda
Unlike their names, these are not at all related to the conventional black and white pandas — in fact, they are closer to raccoons, badgers and skunks. Their name comes from the Nepalese word ponya, which means bamboo eater. Since red pandas love to eat bamboo just like the conventional one, they have been named so.
Whale Shark
This cartilaginous fish is actually a shark and not even remotely related to whales, the giant marine mammals. Their misleading name stems from their close similarity to the latter in size and feeding habits. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish, which can sometimes reach 18.8 metres in length.
Guinea Pig
This adorable animal is neither a pig nor from Guinea. While it isn’t clear why it is called so, there are multiple theories. Some believe that when this rodent first came to Europe, it travelled through Guinea, earning it the name, while others argue that the reason lies in its pig-like squeaking voice. Interestingly, its German and Polish names also include the word “pig”.
Bearcat (Binturong)
This civet is neither a bear nor a cat —and isn’t exactly close to either on the evolutionary map. However, its feline face and bearish body earn it this unique name. Bearcat is the only living species in the genus Arctictis and is known for its distinct butter popcorn-like scent.
Flying Fox
Despite its name, flying foxes have no biological connection to the cunning mammals. Flying fox is one of the largest bats in the world, whose faces are shockingly similar to a furry fox — earning it the title. These bats are dedicated fruit eaters, consuming up to 35% of their body weight daily.
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Killer Whale
These marine beasts were originally called “whale killers” by sailors due to their ferocious hunting nature. Over time, the name got twisted and popularised as killer whales, making its way into colloquial and scientific vocabularies. Killer whales are actually a type of dolphin, one of the largest, which can grow up to 7 meters long.
Flying Lemur
Neither is this animal a lemur, nor can it fly. Its name comes from its shocking facial similarity to a lemur and its exceptional ability to glide, which often comes across as flying. While this Madagascar local is not a lemur, it is close to primates on the evolutionary scale.
