What are the twenty most charismatic animals?

DesertRhino150

DesertRhino150

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
A scientific research paper has claimed to have found what the twenty most charismatic animals on earth are - this was done by asking respondents of two different surveys to identify the ten animals they thought most charismatic and associate them with one to six traits (Rare, Endangered, Beautiful, Cute, Impressive and Dangerous). Then the wild animals featured on the homepages of the zoos situated in the worlds 100 largest cities and on the film posters of all Disney and Pixar films, assuming in both cases that the most charismatic species were chosen to attract viewers. The results of these were then ranked; the main social characteristics of respondents did not have a significant impact on their choices.

The twenty species, ranked in order, are as follows:
1. Tiger
2. Lion
3. Elephant
4. Giraffe
5. Leopard
6. Panda
7. Cheetah
8. Polar bear
9. Wolf
10. Gorilla
11. Chimpanzee
12. Zebra
13. Hippopotamus
14. Great white shark
15. Crocodile
16. Dolphin
17. Rhinoceros
18. Brown bear
19. Koala
20. Blue whale

For more information, the entire paper is included below:
The twenty most charismatic species
 
No love for the most charismatic Animal of all?

latest
 
Frankly I'm a bit shocked blue whale made it over humpback whale.
Interesting that cats made four of the top seven
 

  1. The definition of charismatic is someone or something with a compelling and charming personality or traits that are attractive and alluring to others.
The following traits could be considered charismatic: Beautiful, Cute, Impressive, but I'm not sure about Dangerous and I wonder how you differentiate between Rare and Endangered.

Some animals, such as the giant panda are rare and charismatic, but several charismatic species, such as the meerkat are not Dangerous, Rare or Endangered. I wonder how many people consider a great white shark or crocodile to be attractive and alluring or to have a charming and compelling personality.

I wonder what the value of this research paper is as the researchers asked people to choose charismatic species and put their choices into categories not necessarily linked with charisma. I'm afraid it sounds like a subjective study masquerading as an objective project.
 
Interesting that no birds made the cut - if anything you'd expect penguins to be on there, but given the criteria (most are neither rare, endangered or dangerous) it's understandable they didn't make it in despite undoubtedly being far more beloved than crocodiles, for example.
 
Okapipako said:
Interesting that no birds made the cut - if anything you'd expect penguins to be on there, but given the criteria (most are neither rare, endangered or dangerous) it's understandable they didn't make it in despite undoubtedly being far more beloved than crocodiles, for example.
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Eh, mammals are what most people think of (at least unknowledgable normal people) when they think of animals.
 
I think penguins as a group are more well-known than Brown bear or Blue whale. Most people know polar bears and "other bears" and then just whales in general.

But then again the most charismatic animals aren't necessarily the most well known, although it is often the case obviously.
 
Okapipako said:
Interesting that no birds made the cut - if anything you'd expect penguins to be on there, but given the criteria (most are neither rare, endangered or dangerous) it's understandable they didn't make it in despite undoubtedly being far more beloved than crocodiles, for example.
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Obviously none of these people have ever met a Shama.
 
I think for the most part I agree with this list. Especially the top four
I did think 'leopard' was a bit strange for the top five, but reading the word on the graphic is 'panther', it makes a lot more sense.
 
Dassie rat said:

  1. The definition of charismatic is someone or something with a compelling and charming personality or traits that are attractive and alluring to others.
The following traits could be considered charismatic: Beautiful, Cute, Impressive, but I'm not sure about Dangerous and I wonder how you differentiate between Rare and Endangered.

Some animals, such as the giant panda are rare and charismatic, but several charismatic species, such as the meerkat are not Dangerous, Rare or Endangered. I wonder how many people consider a great white shark or crocodile to be attractive and alluring or to have a charming and compelling personality.

I wonder what the value of this research paper is as the researchers asked people to choose charismatic species and put their choices into categories not necessarily linked with charisma. I'm afraid it sounds like a subjective study masquerading as an objective project.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'm surprised this was done by Smithsonian. Some of those species, most people can't tell the difference between - even educated people tend to mix up cheetah and leopard. The survey of zoo websites feels a little odd to me as well, given that most zoos have several images on their homepage now, they often feature events and new births over popular animals, etc. Looking at websites also eliminates animals that are popular but uncommon from consideration; the koala would likely be higher if more zoos were able to obtain them, for example.

No penguins? Sloth? Lemurs? Those three are everywhere!
 
Surely part of this would have to do with which animals the zoos have the best photographs of just as much as which species they think are charismatic?
 
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