Animals that were made more popular or well-known thanks to their depictions in media.

The titular Sonic the Hedgehog (among other Hedgehogs) is based on hedgehogs

Wolverine from X-Men despite not being a Wolverine himself has the ferocity and aggression of one.

Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb is based on the adorable and lovable Platypus (though not turquoise in real life sadly)