Harrison Ford inspires science as researchers continue naming new animals after him, sometimes even in reference to Indiana Jones
Biologists keep finding reasons to whisper one Hollywood name in their lab notebooks, even when the animals involved would give his most famous character the creeps. Why him, and why now?
In Peru’s Otishi National Park, a 40-centimeter, yellow-brown snake with black spots entered the record as Tachymenoides harrisonfordi, a name sure to make Dr. Jones squirm. It joins an ant from 2002 and a California spider from 1993, all bearing Harrison Ford’s surname in a blend of pop-culture wink and scientific tradition. The twist is rich given Indiana Jones’ fear of snakes, yet it also nods to Ford’s off-screen work as a conservation advocate and documentary narrator. What looks like a running joke doubles as a spotlight on biodiversity every time another harrisonfordi crawls, scurries, or slithers into science.
A curious honor for an adventurous actor
Harrison Ford might be best known for his iconic roles in Hollywood blockbusters, but did you know that his name also graces some surprising corners of the natural world? Scientists, inspired by the actor’s work and environmental advocacy, have named several newly discovered animal species after him. The irony? One of these creatures is a snake, perfectly at odds with his most famous character Indiana Jones, who is notoriously terrified of the slithering reptiles.
A 2023 discovery with a twist
In 2023, researchers in Peru’s Otishi National Park saw fit to immortalize Ford’s legacy in the form of a yellow brown snake species spotted in the wild. Measuring just 40 centimeters and bearing black spots, the species was christened Tachymenoides harrisonfordi. The choice seems cheeky, given Indiana Jones’ equally famous words: “Snakes… Why’d it have to be snakes?” Beyond the playful nod to pop culture, the naming serves as a testament to Ford’s relevance not just in film, but also in conversations about conservation.
A history of honoring Harrison Ford in nature
Believe it or not, this is not the first time Ford’s name has been used to honor a species. Back in 1993, a spider species in California was named Calponia harrisonfordi, and nearly a decade later, an ant species gained the title Pheidole harrisonfordi. The latter was labeled by esteemed entomologist Edward O. Wilson, who cited Ford’s public support for environmental efforts as his reason for the tribute. Clearly, it takes more than being the face of adventure to earn this kind of adulation, it reflects a life intertwined with real world activism.
A marriage of pop culture and science
Why are celebrities, like Harrison Ford, woven into the fabric of species names? Beyond humor, it reflects a genuine admiration for figures who help raise awareness about nature. Ford, in particular, has gone to great lengths to champion the environment. As Vice President of an NGO dedicated to species preservation, he has helped advocate for endangered ecosystems. His voice has also narrated documentaries for the Natural History Museum in London, bridging the worlds of science and storytelling. It seems a fitting tribute that scientists express their respect through a pestle of ants, an elusive spider, and now a snake.
Sneaking science into the spotlight
Embedded in these taxonomic tributes is a larger cultural narrative, a way of making the work of biologists and conservationists a little more relatable. Would the average person hear about a Peruvian snake species without the Indiana Jones connection? Perhaps not. By lending his name to these discoveries, Harrison Ford continues to inspire curiosity and a deeper respect for our planet, whether he is on the big screen or in the natural world.
