Photo by Mike Crosby for the National Zoo
The National Zoo has yet another adorable creature it wants your help naming, and this time it’s a baby black howler monkey born on March 22. Voting is taking place at the zoo’s Facebook page, and wraps up on Friday, June 22, just in time for the little critter’s three-month birthday. The options:
Sumaq: This name in the Quechua language means “beautiful.” The baby’s golden locks and chocolate brown eyes prompted the keepers to suggest a name befitting a handsome boy.
Orejas: The baby may blend in perfectly with 5-year-old mother Chula’s fur, but one feature (or two) makes him stick out: his large ears. For this reason, keepers chose the name Orejas, a Spanish word meaning “ears.”
Nando: Short for Fernando, “Nando” is a popular name meaning “courageous.” At first, the baby was shy and clung tightly to his mother. In the last few weeks, however, he has grown increasingly independent and active, swinging by his tail and walking from branch to branch. Keepers expect he will become more daring over the next few months.
Loki: “Loki” is the Norse mythological god of mischief. Inquisitive from a young age, the baby howler explores his environment by touching and tasting everything around him. He has even tried to steal mom’s food.
If we can insert a little DCist endorsement, we’re pulling for Orejas. It’s probably the first time the zoo has offered up a name that accurately describes a prominent feature on the animal, and “Orejas the Howler Monkey” sounds too great to pass up. And though Loki is currently leading in votes, we caution against using the name associated with a movie character that’s constantly getting his ass kicked. Just sayin.’
You’ve got until noon on Friday to cast your vote.
Martin Austermuhle