1954 animal births

Laika ( ; , ; – 3 November 1957) was a Soviet space dog who was one of the first animals in space and the first to orbit the Earth. A stray mongrel from the streets of Moscow, she flew aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft, launched into low orbit on 3 November 1957. As the technology to re-enter the atmosphere had not yet been developed, Laika's survival was never expected. She died of hyperthermia hours into the flight, on the craft's fourth orbit.

chimpanzee who learned how to draw and paint

thumb|right|The skull of Cacareco at São Paulo Zoo Cacareco (1954–1962) was a female black rhinoceros exhibited in Brazilian zoos. She is known for receiving many votes in the 1959 São Paulo city council elections as a form of protest vote. Electoral officials did not accept Cacareco's candidacy, but she eventually won 100,000 votes, more than any other party in that same election (which was also marked by rampant absenteeism).

female giant panda

talking budgie