Animal cookies, animal crackers, and related taxa are known to most people in the United States; however, there is substantial confusion as to which of the baked critters are cookies and which are crackers. It has been my purpose to examine a wide variety of these snacks from throughout the United States and to develop an initial scientific classification system for the group. There likely are additional taxa that remain to be described, but this classification scheme attempts to answer some fundamental questions and provide a foundation for future studies.

Specimens were collected by the author and by students, alumni, and faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. They were collected by hand without the use of any special devices. It should be noted, however, that collection fees had to be paid by the collectors at each collection site.

Voucher specimens were preserved by the application of clear, acrylic, aerosol sealer, as can be obtained in most arts-and-crafts stores. Specimens were then placed in glass jars to limit their exposure to harmful airborne agents of decomposition. All voucher specimens are stored in the author's personal collection. Except for Figure 1, images of individuals in this electronic report are life-size on standard computer monitors.

Each species is comprised of a number of recognizable morphs that represent identifiable organisms in the Kingdom Animalia. For this study, the elephant morph was used in keys and descriptions, because it was the only shape common to all of the species identified.

Individuals of these taxa are essentially 2-dimensional. They have a flattened surface that results from their orientation on a flat surface when created. Opposite this is the sculptured surface, which is typically marked with grooves, ridges, dimples, or combinations of these features. Grooves and ridges provide detail to each morph. Dimples are small, circular depressions that commonly represent eyes on individuals of some taxa; however, their presence elsewhere on the body is an important diagnostic feature of some species. Icing or frosting in some taxa obscure these markings.

Three measurements were made of the specimens: length, height, and thickness. To determine the first 2 measurements, it is necessary to imagine a straight line tangent to 2 points at the base of the specimen. This line can be visualized by "standing" the specimen in an upright position on a table. Generally, a forefoot and a hindfoot provide these points of tangency. Along this line, imagine 2 perpendicular lines, 1 at each end of the specimen and tangent to the extreme points on those ends (Figure 1). The length is the distance between these parallel lines. A fourth line, parallel to the first line, at the greatest distance from the first, and tangent to the edge of the specimen, delimits the height of the individual (Figure 1). Thickness is the greatest distance through the individual from the sculptured side to the flattened side on a line roughly perpendicular to the general plane of each side. In this study, these measurements were made with a metric caliper.

Figure 1.  Height and length of a typical specimen.

Some of the ingredients listed on the packages inhabited by the specimens were useful taxonomic features. The presence or absence of particular ingredients and the sequence of ingredients, which indicates the relative proportions of each ingredient, were noted in this study.

Crackers and cookies were viewed as distinct types of snacks in this account. In true crackers (such as saltine crackers), fats and oils are more abundant than sugar and other sweeteners, which usually are not near the top of the ingredient list as they are in true cookies (e.g., chocolate chip cookies). Additionally, true crackers typically have a lighter texture than true cookies. Most people should be able to readily discern similar attributes when they eat specimens of each of the described taxa. It was on this basis that the common names "animal cookie" and "animal cracker" were assigned to taxa described in this study.

Systematic accounts are provided for 1 proposed family, 1 proposed genus, and 8 proposed species within the following taxonomic hierarchy:
• Kingdom: Pseudobiotae
  • Phylum: Consuma
    • Class: Snacka
      • Order: Animales.

Following these taxonomic accounts is a dichotomous key to the 8 named species.

Family: Animalaceae fam. nov.

Type genus: Animalum Descriptors: Individuals are edible cookies and crackers that resemble members of the Phylum Chordata. Mammals are the most common morphs, but fish, birds, and reptiles are known. Discussion: This is a widespread family found in most food stores in the United States. The use of only 2 common names (animal cookies and animal crackers) is a misleading oversimplification of this family's diversity.

Genus: Animalum gen. nov.

Type species: Animalum cookium Descriptors: In addition to the family characteristics, individuals might contain lemon oil, honey, cocoa, or other mild flavoring agents, but none dominate the taste as do the exotic flavors (e.g., cheese, garlic, ginger, and green onion) found in other genera. Typically, individuals of most species are tan in color, but a few exceptions are known. Members of this genus inhabit cardboard boxes with wax paper or plastic liners, plastic bags, and paper bags.

Species: Animalum cookium sp. nov.; Figure 2

Recommended common name: Animal Cookie Descriptors: No dimples present other than eye. External markings (grooves) relatively detailed. Ingredients do not include calcium phosphate. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 5.5-7.0 mm; length 36-46 mm; height 30-40 mm. Diagnosis: Animalum crackerum has 1 superfluous dimple in addition to the eye, and they are thicker (7.0-7.5 mm). Animalum intermedium has 1 superfluous dimple in addition to the eye and includes calcium phosphate as an ingredient. Animal minutum is much shorter in length and height. Animal naturalum does not include refined sugar. Animalum frostedcookium, Animalum icedintermedium, and Animalum icedcookium normally are coated with frosting or icing. Discussion: These are the author's personal favorites.

Figure 2a. Animalum cookium


Figures 2b and 2c. Animalum cookium

Species: Animalum crackerum sp. nov.; Figure 3

Recommended common name: Animal Cracker Descriptors: One superfluous dimple, in addition to the eye, present near the center of the body. External markings (grooves) not detailed. Ingredients might include calcium phosphate. Occasionally, populations whose individuals contain cocoa derivatives are encountered. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 7.0-7.5 mm; length 35-39 mm (49.5 mm in one population); height 35-39 mm (28.5 mm in one population). Diagnosis: Animalum cookium has no superfluous dimples and is thinner (5.5-7.0 mm). Animalum crackerum is normally thinner (6-7 mm) and longer (41-44 mm). Animalum minutum is much shorter in length and height. Animal naturalum does not include refined sugar. Animalum frostedcookium, Animalum icedintermedium, and Animalum icedcookium normally are coated with frosting or icing. Discussion: These individuals should be referred to as animal crackers to conserve the long-used common name, even though they are not true crackers. The relative lack of detail and the "inflated" structure that results from relatively large air pockets give them an appearance similar to true crackers.

Figure 3. Animalum crackerum

Species: Animalum intermedium sp. nov.; Figure 4

Recommended common name: Intermediate Animal Cookie Descriptors: One dimple in addition to the eye present near the center of the body. External markings (grooves) moderately detailed. Ingredients include calcium phosphate. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 6-7 mm; length 41-44 mm; height 28-37 mm. Diagnosis: Animalum cookium has no superfluous dimples in addition to the eye and does not include calcium phosphate. Animalum crackerum is normally thicker (7.0-7.5 mm) and shorter (35-39 mm) or rarely longer (49.5 mm). Animalum minutum is much shorter in length and height. Animal naturalum does not include refined sugar. Animalum frostedcookium, Animalum icedintermedium, and Animalum icedcookium normally are coated with frosting or icing. Discussion: This species shares characteristics with animal cookies and animal crackers, but is sufficiently distinct to warrant recognition as a species.

Figure 4. Animalum intermedium

Species: Animalum minutum sp. nov.; Figure 5

Recommended common name: Miniature Animal Cookie Descriptors: One dimple in addition to the eye might be present on the sculptured side. Corn syrup listed second among ingredients. Some individuals contain cocoa and are chocolate brown rather than tan in color. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 6-7 mm; length 32.5-33.5 mm; height 23.5-24.5 mm. Diagnosis: Elephant morphs of other species have height and length dimensions greater than 28 mm and 35 mm, respectively. Discussion: If you are one of those people who really enjoys eating the unattached appendages that break off of full-sized animal cookies, then you will enjoy this tiny species.

Figure 5. Animalum minutum

Species: Animalum naturalum sp. nov.; Figure 6

Recommended common name: Natural Animal Cookie Descriptors: Ingredients do not include refined sugar or preservatives. Color is light brown, rather than tan, due to inclusion of unbleached flour and molasses as ingredients. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 4-5 mm; length 41-42 mm; height 29-30 mm. Diagnosis: Other species contain refined sugar. Elephant morphs of other species are more than 5.5 mm thick. Discussion: This species usually is associated with health food stores or similar environments.

Figure 6. Animalum naturalum

Species: Animalum frostedcookium sp. nov.; Figure 7

Recommended common name: Frosted Animal Cookie Descriptors: Body covered on all sides with thick, pinkish-red or white frosting that often has numerous colored spheres embedded in it. Without frosting, individuals are similar to members of species Animalum cookium. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 7-8 mm; length 35-41 mm; height 35-41 mm. Diagnosis: This is the only species currently known that has all of its body surfaces normally covered by frosting. Animalum icedintermedium has thin icing only on the top surface. Animalum icedcookium typically has frosting only on the upper sculptured surface and has details on the sculptured surface marked with ridges, rather than grooves. Discussion: Although this species might be closely related to Animalum cookium, the presence of a frosted covering appears to be an effective isolating mechanism.

Figure 7. Animalum frostedcookium

Species: Animalum icedintermedium sp. nov.; Figure 8

Recommended common name: Iced Intermediate Animal Cookie Descriptors: Body covered on top side with pink or white icing. Without frosting, individuals are similar to members of species Animalum intermedium. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 7-8 mm; length 35-41 mm; height 35-41 mm. Diagnosis: This species is 1 of only 3 that have icing or frosting. It is most easily distinguished from Animalum frostedcookium in that Animalum icedintermedium only has thin icing on the top surface rather than the thick frosting on all surfaces of Animalum frostedcookium. Animalum icedcookium typically has icing on a surface with details marked by ridges rather than grooves. Discussion: Although this species might be closely related to Animalum intermedium, the presence of icing  appears to be an effective isolating mechanism. Although icing also is present on the otherwise distinctive Animalum icedcookium, it seems likely that this feature evolved independently in each group.

Figure 8. Animalum icedintermedium

Species: Animalum icedcookium sp. nov.; Figure 9

Recommended common name: Iced Animal Cookie Descriptors: Pink or white frosting normally covers the sculptured surface. Ridges, rather than grooves, mark details on the sculptured surface under the frosting. Dimensions: Elephant morph = thickness 6-7 mm; length 45-55 mm; height 35-40 mm. Diagnosis: All other species have details marked by grooves rather than ridges. Only Animalum icedintermedium also has icing. Discussion: This is the only species known with details marked by ridges rather than grooves. The ridges serve to retain the icing, which has a relatively low viscosity, on the sculptured surface. Although icing also is present on Animalum icedintermedium, it seems likely that this feature evolved independently in each group.

Figure 9. Animalum icedcookium

 

1.	Normally covered on one or both sides with icing or frosting.	Go to 2.
1a.	Body not covered with icing or frosting.	Go to 4.
.	.	.
2.	Pink or white icing only on the sculptured surface of ridges or grooves.	Go to 3.
2a.	Various colors of frosting on both surfaces; markings under frosting outlined by grooves.	Animalum frostedcookium; Frosted Animal Cookie
.	.	.
3.	Markings under frosting outlined by grooves.	Animalum icedintermedium; Iced Intermediate Animal Cookie
3a.	Markings under frosting outlined by ridges.	Animalum icedcookium; Iced Animal Cookie
.	.	.
4.	Ingredients do not include refined sugar or preservatives; body light brown due to use of unbleached flour and molasses.	Animalum naturalum; Natural Animal Cookie
4a.	Ingredients include both refined sugar and preservatives; body tan due to use of bleached flour (might be light brown if over-baked) or, more rarely, chocolate brown.	Go to 5.
.	.	.
5.	Height of elephant morph 23.5-24.5 mm; length of elephant morph 32.5-33.5 mm; corn syrup listed second among ingredients.	Animalum minutum; Miniature Animal Cookie
5a.	Height of elephant morph greater than 28 mm; length of elephant morph greater than 35 mm; sugar listed second among ingredients.	Go to 6.
.	..	.
6.	No dimples present, except eye; external markings relatively detailed.	Animalum cookium; Animal Cookie
6a.	One dimple present in addition to eye, more or less in the center of the body; external markings few and not detailed to moderately detailed.	Go to 7.
.	.	.
7.	External markings not detailed; greatest thickness of elephant morph 7.0-7.5 mm; length of elephant morph usually 35-39 mm (in 1 population, length about 49.5 mm).	Animalum crackerum; Animal Cracker
7a.	External markings moderately detailed; greatest thickness of elephant morph typically 6.0-7.0 mm; length of elephant morph normally 41-44 mm.	Animalum intermedium; Intermediate Animal Cookie

This preliminary survey of the members of the Pseudobiotae describes 1 family, 1 genus, and 8 species commonly referred to as animal cookies and animal crackers. Other than the information presented here, no other published information is available for the group. Given the absence of previous research, it seems likely that additional taxa will be described and refinements to the current classification will be forthcoming as interest in this group spreads. In particular, I think it is possible that additional species will be documented that are coated with icing or frosting, which is apparently a feature that has evolved independently at least 3 times. I think the greatest likelihood is the discovery of a frosted species otherwise similar to Animalum crackerum, a lineage that has heretofore not been represented by any taxa coated with frosting or icing.

Members of this genus have no cellular differentiation. In fact, they have no cells, only gas vacuoles, which seem to be larger or more numerous in Animalum crackerum than in the other species. To date, they have exhibited virtually no behavior, although all of the species are clearly gregarious. Their mode of reproduction has not been studied. Little is known about their ecology, although all species are heavily preyed upon by humans and other animals. Some species seem to be relatively uncommon and might be in danger of extinction; thus, additional information is crucial.