Charismatic Megafauna

Have you ever wondered why some animals get more attention than others? Animals like lions and tigers often draw large crowds at the zoo, and pandas and rhinoceroses are often the face of wildlife protection campaigns. What makes these animals so popular?

The name for these favored animals is charismatic megafauna. Typically, these animals are large, well-known and possess some kind of broad appeal. Pandas are cute and fluffy. Gorillas and wolves are tough and look cool. These animals are often used for marketing because their appealing features capture interest or tug on our heartstrings. Charismatic animals may be on the endangered species list, which furthers their appeal by providing an emotional reaction. Of course we’d want to save the cute little koala bear or the majestic elephant. The next time you see a logo with an animal on it, think about why that animal made the cut.

These charismatic megafauna are often chosen to represent their habitat when it comes to conservation efforts because organizations understand their appeal to the public. Protecting these animals is important for the health of the larger ecosystem, but what about the animals that lack the label of charismatic? It’s harder to launch a successful campaign to aid their recovery.

Some animals that have smaller faces, like reptiles, amphibians and fish, are not commonly regarded as charismatic because their small features make it more difficult for us to assert anthropomorphism on them. Anthropomorphism is when humans ascribe human traits or emotions to non-humans. Animals with larger, forward-facing eyes are easier to assign human traits to, because they look more similar to us. Ever looked at your pet and assigned them a human trait? That is anthropomorphism at work.

Some animals may not be treasured because of their negative reputations. Bats have been largely associated with horror and the macabre, and snakes are often feared, despite most species in Iowa being non-venomous. Both animals are important to the food chain, controlling populations of animals often described as pests, like mosquitos or mice, but they rarely get the praise they deserve. Insects are also often written out of the list of aesthetically pleasing animals, with the monarch being one notable exception. But few people are aware of the many other butterfly species rapidly dwindling across the Midwest.

Looking for a new animal to call your favorite? Freshwater mussels are the perfect pick! These animals are at risk in Iowa, with six threatened species and nine endangered species, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These animals filter feed on algae, which improves water quality. Freshwater mussels were historically threatened by overharvesting practices to make buttons, but now they face new challenges, like damming rivers, exposure to pollutants and the competitive invasive zebra mussel.

In Iowa, there are many more examples of “uncharismatic” animals than their favored counterparts, but that does not make them any less valuable to protect. All native creatures provide value to their ecosystem, not just the large, flashy ones. The next time someone asks what your favorite animal is, consider thinking outside the box!