#RateaSpecies? Zoos Share Amazon-Style Reviews of Animals on Twitter

The online rating system popularized by sites like Amazon and Yelp has finally reached the animal kingdom. As Earther reports, zoos, aquariums, and science museums are taking to Twitter to review fuzzy, scaly, and feathery specimens with the hashtag #rateaspecies.

The official Twitter account of the Oregon Zoo kicked off the trend on March 9 by tweeting out a picture of a river otter with a four-star review. "Overall very good first impressions," the tweet reads. "Sturdy built, totally winter-ready and waterproof. Only comes in brown but that’s actually a plus for me." Shervin Hess, who runs digital media at the zoo, told Earther he got the idea from an Amazon review he read that described hiking boots in a similar way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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

He followed the tweet with reviews of other animals, each one receiving a four-star rating (Hess says he wouldn't consider giving an animal anything less). Soon other institutions on Twitter started jumping on the hashtag.

"High-quality squeak system, thrives in rocky situations," the Yosemite Conservancy wrote of the pika. It earned four stars despite being "maybe TOO cute" and a "potential pun hazard."

Check out more of the top-rated species below.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
PROS: High-quality squeak system, thrives in rocky situations, hay for days.
CONS: Maybe TOO cute. Potential pun hazard. #pikaboo #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/jTFFGImVhO
— Yosemite Conservancy (@YoseConservancy) March 9, 2018

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MISLABELED
Warning. Not as labeled. This is a straight up bear. Not a sloth. Not a sloth/bear hybrid. Very good quality bear, as long as you know what you're getting into. #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/87xoTTz9pU
— Woodland Park Zoo (@woodlandparkzoo) March 9, 2018

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️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

⭐⭐⭐⭐Up Your Garden Game
Green thumbs approved. These perennials get best results in mild climates. Be warned, slimy residue can be off-putting to new gardeners. Full review on https://t.co/lHZm4zUyv2: https://t.co/69NdBnjYr1 #rateaspecies pic.twitter.com/CAjxYgbYqb
— Vancouver Aquarium (@vanaqua) March 9, 2018

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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

[h/t Earther]