Furonous rhodyium–the Rhody Ram–is a charismatic anthropomorphic Bovid commonly seen at campus events, glorious sport spectacles and just when you least expect it.
To honor the University of Rhode Island’s agricultural legacy, a ram was designated as the institution’s mascot and muse in 1923. A live ram made its URI debut in the bottle-rocket year of 1929. However, ever since its last hurrah in 1974, an abstraction has taken its place.
It’s funny how you can remove and add traits and still recognize form and meaning. Bipedal, hoofless and plastic, yet still without a doubt a ram. Rhody is able to blend both human and animal traits, with only a couple of seams, into a true celebration of Mammalia.
I wonder if this critter is a mimic or not. Its abstraction blurs the lines of ecology. If it is mimicking a ram, what are its intentions? Personally, I think it is a unique mix of simultaneous Batesian and Müllerian mimicry, but unfortunately, “Nature” is not responding to my hundreds of emails on the matter.
So we are left with something not just close enough, but its own thing entirely, well, if you ignore football in Los Angeles or, sadly, formerly, St. Louis.
Seen above is Rhody the Ram, fascinated with the luscious shrubbery outside of the Ryan Center. Rhody is limited in its ability to emote. Locked into a permanent smile, body language is key.
There is an expectation of communication with Rhody. Common Rhody behaviors such as taking photos and interacting with fans are often facilitated by human chaperones, representing a glorious mutualism.
Almost always, when Rhody is present, something exciting is happening. Students are moving in, graduating or witnessing the athletic prowess of their fellow Rams.
And because of this celebration, I think it is important to remember this totally original mantra.
Ahem:
And because of that celebration, we can all hail to our Rhody Ram.
For those without school spirit, may you pledge your faith anew.
To witness a bipedal ram inspire glory and honor, adorned with cloth of white and Keaney blue.
In truth, we owe this critter much.
A woolly guide to show us the way.
It is not always easy to achieve and be of service to our world.
So all hail The Rhody Ram.
For both life-longers and transplants to the Ocean State, we have a guide on whatever we do.
What a beautiful tune, hopefully one day someone will pick it up.
If you want to feel the spirit of Rhode Island coursing through your pulmonary artery, I say, give Rhody the Ram a holla. After all, it is their job to make you smile. Just because Rhody is allegedly different from the other critters on campus, that doesn’t mean the ram isn’t important to our ecosystem.
Lose yourself for a bit, capture the moment and snap a picture that will last a lifetime. I would like to thank the tiny whisper in my head and the month of April for allowing me to see the ecological in the anthropomorphic. Peace and fun are often the same.
