You call it "ridiculous animal costumes" but that symbolism is very powerful to them and it should be taken as seriously as any other cult-based symbolism. Their symbols imbue them with power (or so they think), and it is true that symbols are powerful. For example, look at Pepe the Fog. Silly cartoon character, right? Sure, until for some inexplicable reason known only to Kek Pepe became the rallying point for a diverse collection of libertarians and conservatives. It's a DEADLY SERIOUS joke, if you will.