# Critters as cartoon characters and superheroes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935 "2007-05-29T16:37:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/21 "2007-05-29T19:31:33Z")
[QUOTE=Intravenus De Milo] Worm - Earthworm Jim [/QUOTE] Also, from Richard Scarry’s material, there’s Lowly Worm. (A reference I didn’t get when I was a li’l nipper. I just thought Lowly was an odd British name.) ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/22 "2007-05-29T20:35:13Z")
**Tengu,** while your list is impressive, I’m astounded that a Zoo Crewophile such as your self would omit Super-Squirrel, Wonder Wabbit, Batmouse, Green Lambkin, The Crash and Aquaduck. For shame. And I honestly can’t believe you forgot the villians (save for Frogzilla.) What about Armordillo, Digger O’ Doom, Fat Kat, Feline Faust, Wuz Wolf, Cold Turkey, King Kone, Salamander, Salvadore Dogi and Doctor Hoot? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/23 "2007-05-29T20:40:51Z")
[QUOTE=Intravenus De Milo] Roach - numerous characters from the movie Joe’s Apartment [/QUOTE] And The Roaches, voiced by [the trio](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roches), in an episode of Tiny Toons. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/24 "2007-05-29T20:41:27Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] **Tengu,** while your list is impressive, I’m astounded that a Zoo Crewophile such as your self would omit Super-Squirrel, Wonder Wabbit, Batmouse, Green Lambkin, The Crash and Aquaduck. For shame. And I honestly can’t believe you forgot the villians (save for Frogzilla.) What about Armordillo, Digger O’ Doom, Fat Kat, Feline Faust, Wuz Wolf, Cold Turkey, King Kone, Salamander, Salvadore Dogi and Doctor Hoot? [/QUOTE] For the villains, it was a top of the head thing, and only Mudd, Frogzilla and Eggo really stuck with me. Well, and the Ratzis. Forgetting Justa Lotta Animals, though…I have to hang my head in shame over that one. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/25 "2007-05-29T20:52:47Z")
Rocko’s Modern Life has a few obscure ones. Wallaby: The title character, Rocko Steer: Heffer, Rocko’s best friend Chameleon: The Chameleon brothers, who work in various classy occupations Hippo: The Hippo Lady, with her catchphrase “How daaaaaare you!” Boar: A background character who appears often yelling “I’m a wild pig!!” And then there was the microscopic show within a show, with Bloaty the Tick and Squirmy the Ringworm. And going even smaller, there was the family of Amoebas with a sitcom of their own. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/26 "2007-05-29T21:53:34Z")
Arctic Hare–from the indy comic _Snowbuni_–her name was Terri Lee Sylvalagi. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/27 "2007-05-29T21:58:18Z")
[QUOTE=Tengu] Forgetting Justa Lotta Animals, though…I have to hang my head in shame over that one. :smack: [/QUOTE] Then my work is done. But slide over and allow me to join you in consternation, for it shames me to admit that until just now I forgot all about that two-page spread that introduced us to the extended cast of thr JLA, including Firestork the Nuclear Bird, Zapanda, The Martian Anteater and Boid, the Robin Wonder. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/28 "2007-05-29T22:12:00Z")
I remember Fearless Fly, Atom Ant and Super Chicken from my youth. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/29 "2007-05-29T22:25:03Z")
Anybody ready to tackle the Yogi Berras from the Laff-a-Lympics? ---
**Author:** ![SparrowHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@SparrowHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SparrowHawk)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/30 "2007-05-29T22:27:48Z")
What about chipmunks? There’s Chip ‘n’ Dale plus Alvin, Simon and Theodore. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/31 "2007-05-29T22:39:14Z")
The magpies Heckle and Jeckle were some fun birds in old cartoons. The Foghorn Leghorn rooster is from that same era. How about insects? Flies Bees Wasps Hornets Yellow Jackets Butterflies Moths Beetles Lightning Bugs Crickets (Jiminy?) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/32 "2007-05-29T22:56:04Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] How about insects? [/QUOTE] **Camp Lazlo** has a couple of dung beetles, as well as … … a platypus, a guinea pig, two loons, five lemmings & a slug. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/33 "2007-05-29T23:03:37Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] I might want to make my superhero out of a paramecium or an amoeba. [/QUOTE] [Osmosis Jones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis_Jones)? [The Amoeba Boys](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amoeba_Boys)? ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/34 "2007-05-29T23:23:42Z")
Flies - Baxter Stockman from TMNT, Monterey Jack’s buddy whose name I can’t remember from Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers Butterflies - There was a butterfly in The Last Unicorn, who spoke in song fragments. Beetles - Several in A Bug’s Life, which also has a moth, a spider, a whole bunch of ants, a walking stick, and a praying mantis ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/35 "2007-05-29T23:28:01Z")
Worms? Who can forget the Fawcett creation of Mr. Mind, the World’s Wickedest Worm? I mean, this is a worm that metaphorically goes toe-to-toe with Captain Marvel, the World’s Mightiest Mortal. Sure, he loses every time, but for a worm to even attempt such a thing is pretty impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/36 "2007-05-29T23:36:44Z")
Hm, no mention yet of Arthur the Aardvark? He’s mostly in kids’ books, plus a few cartoons. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/37 "2007-05-29T23:53:02Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] If you’re like me you didn’t ever think much about the weirdness involved in having things like mice and rabbits and ducks and pigs as humanlike characters in old cartoons [/QUOTE] The use of animals as humanlike characters predates animated cartoons, going back to folk tales (one example: the Uncle Remus stories, with their Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, etc.) and children’s literature (e.g. _The Wind in the Willows_, _Winnie-the-Pooh_). ---
**Author:** ![Intravenus\_De\_Milo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Intravenus\_De\_Milo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intravenus_De_Milo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2007, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/38 "2007-05-30T03:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] And The Roaches, voiced by [the trio](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roches), in an episode of Tiny Toons. [/QUOTE] Hehe, oh yeah, I remember that. “We spell our last name R-O-C-H-EEEEEEEEE” > [@](#): > > Flies - Baxter Stockman from TMNT, Monterey Jack’s buddy whose name I can’t remember from Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers Monty’s little buddy from Rescue Rangers was [Zipper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipper_the_Fly). ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/39 "2007-05-30T03:41:58Z")
37 responses and no one mentioned Duckman? For shame. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935/40 "2007-05-30T03:49:25Z")
There are a few I can think of off the top of my head, just from watching Disney Channel and Nickelodeon with the Princess. For example, _The Koala Brothers_ features, in addition to the koalas in the title, a kangaroo, a flamingo, a wombat, a desert tortoise, a wallaby, a crocodile, and, for some reason, a penguin. _The Wonder Pets_ are Linny (Lenny?) the hamster, Tuck the turtle and Ming-Ming the duckling. _The Backyardigans_ include a penguin, a hippopotamus, a kangaroo, and a couple other critters I forgot. _Max and Ruby_ are two annoying bunnies. _The Buzz on Maggie_ is about the adventures of a young house fly and her family. Don’t forget Dora the Explorer’s monkey friend, Boots, and Rufus the naked mole rat from _Kim Possible_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critters-as-cartoon-characters-and-superheroes/405935.md?page=3)