I think my favourite binomial names fall into one of two groups: those where the genus name and the species name are the same, and those where it’s name has old school Roman or Greek origins, more specifically where it’s name is a combination of two other animals.
As such I like:
- Rattus rattus
- The Camel Leopard
- Bison bison (especially Bison bison bison)
- The Sparrow Camel
- Gorilla gorilla gorilla (for Final Fling fans see also…)
- and Basilicus basilicus
Leopard itself gets an honourable mention for being the offspring of a Lion and a Pard.
Additional:
Although I don’t like the idea of the group’s membership requirements, I think there’s a good pub quiz question to be had out of the Barbary Lion, Pere David’s Deer and the Hawaiian Crow
I’d kind of hoped my binomial name list would be more extensive but as I can hear birdsong I think I should retire – hopefully I’ll add to my list over the next few days.