5 Things You Didn't Know About Animal Crackers

Photo Animal Crackers Modified: Flickr/ Jay Malone/ CC4.0

Dan Myers|July 9, 2015 5:26 pm EST

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Animal Crackers

Photo Snack Modified: Flickr/ Bradley Stemke/ CC4.0

Who doesn't love animal crackers? Those little red boxes full of animal-shaped cookies have been an essential part of childhood for generations, but did you ever really stop to think about them?

They’ve Been Called ‘Barnum’s Animals’ Since 1902

Photo Animal Crackers Modified: Flickr/ Steven Depolo/ CC4.0

They were, of course, named after the famed circus showman P.T. Barnum.

The String Was Originally for ‘Ornamental’ Use

Photo Snack Modified: Flickr/ Bradley Stemke/ CC4.0

Ever wonder why there's a little string on the top of each box? It was designed for the Christmas season, as the box was originally meant to be a Christmas tree ornament! The string was there to help the box hang from the tree, and it's still around today.

The Small Cartons Were Revolutionary

Photo Winter 2012 Modified: Flickr/ Mike Mozart/ CC4.0

Until Barnum's Animals came around, crackers were sold in barrels or big tins. The single-serve box, which sold for five cents, was revolutionary at the time, and was such a success than many other brands followed suit.

37 Different Animals Have Been Represented Over the Years

Photo Animal Crackers Modified: Flickr/ Jay Malone/ CC4.0

The field has narrowed somewhat!

The Most Recent Addition Is the Koala

Photo Modified: Flickr/ Chris Ptacek/ CC4.0

The koala was briefly added into the mix in 2002, to celebrate the snack's 100-year anniversary. It beat out a penguin, walrus, and cobra in a vote.