Courtesy/Oregon Zoo

By Kale Williams

If you were paying attention to “zoo Twitter” last week — which is a thing, we promise — you might have noticed something strange. Zoos around the country started rating their animals, a la the Amazon review section, to the delight of just about everyone.

But the fad started right here in the Beaver State.

Last Friday, the Oregon Zoo got things started.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Overall very good first impressions. Sturdy built, totally winter-ready and waterproof. Only comes in brown but that’s actually a plus for me. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/IK99ODsTPT — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED

This stylish little unit is amazing. Sound quality A+. No distortion at full volume but bass is a little weak. Top rotates which is a plus. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/OYaWOfzosA — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ SO MUCH FUN

Cuts through the water like butter. Not great for white water but perfect for lakes, ponds, etc. Set-up is easy and it won’t flip. Variable speed. No mount for GoPro.#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/Qa9UWkvtfq — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GREAT VALUE

LOVE these. Must-have on all outdoor adventures. Keeps bugs off even when wet. Cordless.#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/aGJ7GsMlhj — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ SO GOOD

Came with super cute case. Not the fastest but outlasts every comparable unit. Retractable accessories. Dropped into a pond and still works perfectly#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/Y3q3a0KOjo — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WHAT A DEAL

Cleanup is a breeze. Gets rid of really strong odors. WAY bigger than I expected. So glad they didn’t stop making these. On backorder now #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/nrI1CacM9a — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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The zoo even featured their brand new Humboldt penguin chick, which hatched the night before.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ THOUGHT IT WAS A KNOCKOFF

Looked like this right out of the package. Started beeping but they said that was normal. Craftsmanship seems good. Fun#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/hVZEYoRgB3 — Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 9, 2018

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From there, the trend took off as zoos and aquariums around the country followed suit using the hashtag #rateaspecies. You may notice not all of the critters received a 4-star rating, even though their quality is hardly in question.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

love that it fits any space. adjustable color to match your mood/location. extremely grippy base. ink included, but stylus sold separate if you need that go with the squid sizes. note: don't pair with another or they stop working #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/70IxwYRp0Z — Monterey Bay Aquarium (@MontereyAq) March 9, 2018

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⭐ very unsatisfied with the shipping. I ordered a frog and what I got was this big melted pile. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/6pj9D2HcED — Thor Lebowski (@shtoopy) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A TOUR DE FORCE

Simply superlative. Disruptive design. Inspired mechanical engineering. Invented its own niche with seamless software/hardware integration. Absolute head-turner and conversation starter. Sorry, no headphone jack: the future is here. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/f6g2QINpgw — Monterey Bay Aquarium (@MontereyAq) March 9, 2018

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cuter than advertised, purrs perfectly, sticks to any surface, and came with a spare. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/uw4icqlkTj — Wildlife in Need (@WildlifeInNeed1) March 13, 2018

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⭐⭐⭐ NOT AS EXPECTED

Color not as shown (not even CLOSE!!!), supposed to be predator but just sits on heated rock all day and let turtles walk all over him (if ambush predators are so different you should tell people) also missing one toe???#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/5EAdkDN5D4 — CA AcademyOfSciences (@calacademy) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️ CAT/SNAKE HYBRID

Extremely musky. 5/6 ends sharp and pointy. Handles like a furry noodle. But fantastic for taking care of unwanted prairie dogs along your property.#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/I7euo0S3GJ — 🐯 🆃🆈🅶🅴🆁 (@TygerWDR) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️We're a FANDA of the red panda. Low maintenance. Self cleaning. Extra fluff included. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/zB23VVWQiy — Minnesota Zoo (@mnzoo) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceeds expectations!

Very cute marsupial IMHO – and the only one found in the US! Curious if negative reviewers know about the benefits to the eco-system? #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/5JWQ0JLs7S — Tennessee Aquarium (@TNAquarium) March 9, 2018

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⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ MOSTLY HARMLESS

A+ excellent sleeper, perfectly content to sleep for 20+ hours in a day. Best to avoid during waking hours.#rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/wS1d8r7tjE — Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (@LAZoo) March 9, 2018

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#rateaspecies Bottlenose Dolphins ⭐️

• Look cute and cuddly, but are actually evil

• Just as smart as humans, maybe even smarter

• Secretly planning to overthrow the government

• Be afraid, be very afraid pic.twitter.com/FtpHiexVeR — Amy Buhman (@AmyBuhman) March 9, 2018

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ THESE FISH ARE NOT BROKEN

Anyone who says otherwise didn't read the instructions. A+ globiform, not supposed to swim well just look cute, does as promised. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/86q4PFhM83 — CA AcademyOfSciences (@calacademy) March 9, 2018

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BEST DRESSED

Dapper styling, sick dance moves, occasional fish breath. Definitely performs better in groups. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/edZUDvtb9u — New England Aquarium (@NEAQ) March 9, 2018

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Pleasantly surprised. Thought I had ordered a Roomba, but this did an excellent job of cleaning up my ecosystem. Only downside is the projectile vomiting. Overall 5 stars, would drunkenly purchase again. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/5fDfHiaWNq — Katie O'Reilly (@DrKatfish) March 9, 2018

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Turns out, they’re all good critters.

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-- Kale Williams

kwilliams@oregonian.com

503-294-4048

@sfkale