This is a list of organisms with occupational names. Many organisms have common names that are inspired by a behavior that is similar to a human occupation, or a common habit of the organism. For example, carpenter bees are so called because they works with wood to make their shelters, analogous to the manner of a carpenter. While some of the occupations match the organism closely and others do not, organisms listed here need only to have a word in the name that is also used as a human occupation or job.
Insects
editInsects that have occupational names include:
- Carpenter bee, from carpenter
- Mason bee, from mason
- Robber fly, from robber
- Bombardier beetle, from bombardier
- Slave maker ant, from slavery
- Driver ant
- Harvester ant
Birds
editBirds that have occupational names include:
Mammals
editMammals that have occupational names include:
- Turnspit dog
- Pilot whale
- Shepherd dogs, including many breeds such as Australian shepherd
- Retriever dogs, including many breeds such as Golden retriever
Crabs
editCrabs that have occupational names include:
- Hermit crab, from hermit
- Fiddler crab, from fiddler
Cephalopods
editCephalopods that have occupational names include:
- Vampire squid, from vampire
Reptiles
editReptiles that have occupational names include:
Other arthropods
editArthropods that have occupational names include:
Plants
editPlants that have occupational names include:
Other
editSome occupational names are applied to specific types of individuals or parts of organisms, but not any one specific species or taxon. Such examples are listed below: