That's been the animal of choice for the last several presidents. They were piled haphazardly in the comers and on sofas and chairs. . According to White House legend he would freak out unsuspecting visitors on tours of the residence by showing them into the room with the alligator. ), The Biden dogs even starred in campaign ads with the tagline, Lets put a dog back in the White House.. Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2013. We may never know. The flock not only saved the administration the trouble of mowing the lawn, but Wilson sold the wool to raise money for the American Red Cross during World War I. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley speaks at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference that's taking place just outside Washington, D.C. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. . However, we do know that President Adams did what any president should do: He lodged the gator in the White Houses unfinished East Room and its nearby bathtub. James Buchanan, the 15th president, received a herd of elephants from the King of Siam (now called Thailand). noble soccer tournament 2021 how to get gems in phase 10: world tour army covid pt test policy which president had a pet crocodile. Alligators in the White House Bathtub, Oh My! Yes, all of them. Old Whitey was a revered war horse while Apollo was reported to be a former circus pony. The dog was a Portuguese water dog that they named Bo. And so, Old Ike kept watch over his flock and swallowed copious amounts of tobacco. 1. One or more U.S. presidents (or members of their families) kept live alligators in the White House or on its grounds. By the time Billy arrived, Coolidge had amassed an assortment of dogs, birds, a wallaby and a domesticated raccoon named Rebecca, a filthy but favorite pet of the first lady. Some have even gone on to be famous in their own right Barack Obama's dog Bo was a frequent star of White House photo ops. Please whitelist in order to read our content as well as support our work. Which president has the craziest pet? Boyd, L.M. Kirkus Reviews. According to www.whitehousepets.com, the alligator was given to him by Marquis de Lafayette. Upon moving in at 1600 Pennsylvania, Old Whiskers got busy thinking of a way to make the president look like a dumbass. Billy the Pygmy Hippo found his way to the White House via Liberia after he was captured there by Harvey Firestone, maker of Firestone tires. , Grade level He was a close friend of Nixon and was frequently spotted walking and traveling with him. 19 / 46. President Lyndon Johnson had two pet beagles, Him and Her. which president had a pet crocodile. Please try your request again later. Over the course of the next 25 years, Billy got busy getting busy with Hannah. Main Menu. Please try again. Related:Why Major Biden becoming the first shelter dog in the White House is a big deal, But some earlier presidents seriously threatened to turn 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. into an actual zoo, based on information at the Presidential Pet Museum, a collection of presidential pet memorabilia located outside of Baltimore. A story of cat adoption inspired by the author's true adoption story of her two kittens. Suspendisse ultrices hendrerit a vitae vel a sodales. June 14, 2022 . In this case, it was zookeepers from across the country. Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2014. Bodie. K - 12th grade . Checkers: The Best-Known Presidential Dog to Never Have Lived in the White House. : If you said President Theodore Roosevelt, who spent 1901 to 1909 in the office, as the White House occupant with the most pets, you are correct. It worked! Due to the lack of any concrete evidence that the sixth president of the United States ever had an alligator, although its not impossible, its highly unlikely that the pet alligator story was true. Along with a menagerie of dogs, cats, horses and birds, presidents and their families also had pet snakes, raccoons, bears, cows, mice, and more. Please try again. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. On the more practical side of history, President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) brought a flock of sheep to graze on the White House lawn. New York: McGraw Hill, 1958. The sad reality is that the embrace of animal affection after a difficult presidential campaign did not calm down. Family, faith and fitness are all integral to her life, and Cheryl loves what she does. Zachary Taylor. (Wheres YouTube when you need it?). Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. A selection of land turtles gathered from the woods was all right; but two small alligators, presented to him by Clarence Woolley, were somewhat of a trial, for Allan believed they must be bedded at night in the bathtubs. At this time Hoover was living at 2300 S Street in Washington, DC and Allan was roughly fourteen years old. We weren't surprised to learn that it's been making the rounds for more than a hundred years. He brought his collection of creatively named pets with him. Anyway, he went about his business on the White House lawn, boinking the sheep until there were 18 of 'em, munching away at the grass and supplying wool which was auctioned off to help the Salvation Army, a group whose beliefs prevented members from drinking and smoking. He initially serves as the main antagonist of the Baroque Works Saga and the Arabasta Arc, but later becomes a major temporary ally during the Impel Down Arc and the Marineford Arc. Adams was a surly man that few in Congress admired and who enjoyed swimming naked in the Potomac in the wee hours of the morning, earning him the nickname "shrinky-dink" . During Andrew Johnsons presidency, he kept mice in the White House and fed them to them. (Although that was nothing compared with Roosevelts bulldog Pete, who almost caused an international incident when he tore the pants off a French ambassador.). Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. An Indonesian family is happily living with their 440-pound pet crocodile. The list of Regnery authors reads like a "who's who" of conservative thought, action, and history. Great Falls Tribune. Presidential Trivia DRAFT. The list of "dangerous animals . Firestone believed the pygmy hippo would make a wonderful gift for President Coolidge, already a collector of strange and exotic pets. In office 1849-1850. A woman has been mauled to death by a pet crocodile in its enclosure on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. It is said President Polk learned to ride before he could walk and had a great love of horses, but no White House pets were noted during his administration. Nixon frequently took her on trips and was known for his playful nature, which she demonstrated in many of her interactions with him. 3 years ago. Most sources record that an alligator was one of such unconventional gifts. Old Ike was not a member. Image Via John Plumbe [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons. Some were found on the property, many came with the new . I would not recommend it, period!! Nixons other dogs were frequently seen playing with the lively Pasha. U.S. Government Printing Office. President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge had menagerie of animals living with them during their time in the White House, including a donkey, a bobcat, and geese. 3 years ago. Although we couldn't find a source on this, it's likely Pauline supplied the gallon of butter that Taft and six White House aides needed to free the president from the White House bathtub every morning. In the end, Congress won and the cubs were removed from the White House and placed in a Washington zoo. The author was able to properly name every president except the current one. 0. President Herbert Hoover's (1929-1933) younger son Allan had two pet gators in the early 1930s, which actually roamed on the White House grounds. Which President had an alligator as a pet? While she spent her days being pregnant, Billy continued to sew his wild oats with another hippo gal pal, Matilda, who popped out an additional eight kids. , ISBN-13 We snuggled down in a large chair together holding this beautifully illustrated book. Old Whitey, a wartime mount Apollo, a former circus pony. Once he borrowed a bunch of snakes from a pet store. , Item Weight Then in 2013, the Obamas brought home a second Portuguese water dog, Sunny. [15] Among the canines was Spot Fetcher, an English Springer Spaniel and the offspring of George H. W. Bush's dog, Millie. Bettmann, via Getty Images. Long before our nation had animal rights organizations and activists, some exotic animals took up residence at the White House. President John Tyler, 1841-1845 . Yes, you read that rightthis . President Martin van Buren fought Congress to keep two tiger cubs. Wide Awake (Vol. which president had a pet crocodile. Follow along with Buckaroo Beau as he takes care of the horses and cattle on his family's working ranch. On one hand, you wonder how she survived the encounter--this was Teddy Roosevelt, after all. June 10, 2022 . Who exactly supplied the ram with the cigarette butts and black lumps of chewing tobacco is up for discussion, but at a time when the stuff was being handed out to kids on Halloween, it couldn't have been too hard to come by. The animal was finally caught and returned to the White House lawn, and everyone shook their head, smiled and thought about what an amusing story it would make for future comedy websites. Many workers were overseas, so the sheep cut the lawn by eating the grass. But more than dogs have lived in the White House. Or they would have laughed about it if they had later found it funny and hilarious. 5 September 2013. Which president has the craziest pet? Now what exactly does one do with the gift of a live alligator, you might ask? John Quincy Adams, a noted environmentalist, is said to have kept an alligator in the East Room during his presidency. Our website offers a wealth of information on all things reptilian, from care and husbandry tips to in-depth articles on the natural history of these amazing creatures. Photograph by Library of Congress, Corbis, VCG via Getty Images. Peter and Cheryl Barnes are a husband and wife writing/illustrating team that specializes in educational books for children. Over the past decade in Adelaide River . There was a problem loading your book clubs. 6 . He in return gave the alligator to President John Quincy Adams. This time, it was two tiger cubs, given to him by the Sultan of Oman. James Garfield - Newfoundland Dog. He was the president of a crime organization called Baroque Works . We live in purgatory: My wife has a multimillion-dollar trust fund, but my mother-in-law controls it. Start the day smarter Take our news quiz . Owner Kai . While George W. Bush was president, he had three dogs and a cat at the White House. Life is good. The Roosevelts had all kind of animals, including lizards, snakes and a one-legged chicken. So revered were certain animals in ancient Egyptian culture that these creatures were routinely mummified as sacrifices to the gods. Marquis de Lafayette was a French general who played an important part during the Revolutionary War. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. Get the scoop on why we celebrate the Fourth of July! History, Fun. 2 When the family had to vacate the White House during the 1927 roof renovation, Rebecca moved with them to the . For centuries, crocodiles have been hunted for their skin, meat, and eggs. He was given the alligator by the Smithsonian Institution and kept it in a bathtub in the White House. The first is an Associated Press item, dated 9 February 1921, announcing the impending arrival of a new White House pet in the company of President-elect Warren G. Harding: Florida Alligator Will Be White House Pet. can a lay person give a blessing; importing bicycle to australia When in doubt, sacrifice a limb. Reptile City is the perfect place for reptile enthusiasts of all levels of interest and expertise. The raccoon was later named Rebecca, and the first lady, Grace, would walk her on a bedazzled leash. The clip shows a crocodile coming near a man sitting on a boat. It's not just exotic animals like tigers, alligators, and parrots that have made the White House their home. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, was famous for his many pets. lisa robertson local steals and deals today. 1. Source: White House Historical Association. It should be noted that getting your heels bitten by a wild badger was the least-violent greeting one could hope for when passing through the Roosevelt White House . It's a great way, though, to get kids learning while they're reading and having fun, and the activities prove that a variety of kids can enjoy the book, which isn't limited to one audience. Him sired a litter of puppies in 1965, and LBJ . However, it is known that some presidents, including Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt, kept alligators as pets during their time in office. A keen observation from a serious explorer who can't spell worth shit: This was an animal not to be trifled with. did a president ever keep a crocodile? To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. That was Herbert Hoover's son, Allan, according to the historical footnotes. With Javier Bardem, Winslow Fegley, Shawn Mendes, Constance Wu. Other presidents have bought farmyard animals to live on the grounds of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: Woodrow Wilson had a flock of sheep, and JFK's daughter had a pony. He in return gave the alligator to President John Quincy Adams. The online source most frequently cited for these claims is a highly entertaining web site called The Presidential Pet Museum. As others have said, of course even a tame tiger or wolf is still a wild animal, and NEVER trustworthy the way a domesticated animal would be. Of course, there are also some downsides to owning a crocodile as a pet. David Emery is a Portland-based writer and editor with 25 years of experience fact-checking rumors, hoaxes, and contemporary legends. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. What is the Significance of Luck in Japan? which president had a pet crocodile. Among them, a tobacco chewing ram called Old Ike. Needless to say, the bears were good and pissed off upon arrival. Bookmark. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Kaprosuchus can have lengths of up to 20 feet. He helped the colonists against the British. The wife of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, had silkworms.Herbert Hoover, the 31st president, had an opossum.And Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, had a raccoon named Rebecca that walked on a leash!. With a red brick to remind them of the St. John's river banks, and amid clusters of oranges, growing upon trees in the conservatory, the alligators seem perfectly at home, and apparently in thriving condition. Please try again. Zebulon Pike. Erin Scott/The White House via AP. The pet, a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette, took up residence in the unfinished second floor of the president's bedroom. 5. Though he concedes that the storycould be true, Dorre feels the paucity of evidence points in the other direction: I doubt that renowned suffragist Harriet Taylor Upton made up the story. The college authorities had an argument with the poet, but . Very large text size. I have not recommended it to anyone and do not intend to do so! Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. His six kids had snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, guinea pigs, and more. . For years Pippa the terrier would bark, snap and chase away Casey the saltwater . John Quincy Adams however, was no myth. President Zachary Taylor, 1849-1850 . The General, who was making the White House his headquarters that summer, had left his live alligator in the East Room until he could find a suitable home for it, and was also using the room as a storehouse for the gifts that had been bestowed on him. A Florida alligator with a six-foot smile, more or less, is to succeed as White House pet President Taft's famous cow, Pauline, the pony that rode in an elevator in President Roosevelt's administration, and more recently, President Wilson's flock of lawn mowing sheep. Lord Byron was angry with the college rules, so he brought a tame bear as a pet. Van Buren argued that they had been given to him and that he wanted to keep them. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Accessed 19 February 2018. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! According to some reports, he enjoyed using the gator to scare his guests.". , ISBN-10 President Herbert Hoovers (1929-1933) younger son Allan had two pet gators in the early 1930s, which actually roamed on the White House grounds. National Archives: Hoover Heads blog. The True Story of John Quincy Adams Pet Alligator, A Brief History of 5 Failed North American Colonies, The Rise of Kpop: How a Genre Took over the World. That Christmas, President Calvin Coolidge gave her an embroidered collar with the title, "White House Raccoon," her nickname in the press. By all outward appearances, her various pursuits are going well. Byron in 1804. But it turned out "pygmy hippo" was a misleading term (no doubt coined by the crooked hippo pet industry) and Billy eventually grew too big to stay at the White House. Visit #MightyMike ? Hey, fast food chains Stick to food. Theodore Roosevelt kept an alligator in the White House while he was president. Ok, so the choice of pet itself isn't exactly unusual. They were speaking metaphorically, of course, about Trump's intention to rid the federal government of corruption and waste. President Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) had . At this point begins a string of events that would lead Billy to become more influential in the hippo world than Coolidge was among the humans. During some of Nixons most difficult times, the three dogs provided him with companionship and support. John quincy adams is said to have kept an alligator in the white house. A tiny dog famed for terrorising a large crocodile has been eaten by the reptile she tormented for over a decade. Which President Kept An Alligator In The White House Senator Trammell carried word to White House offices today that President-elect Harding had already accepted a "fair sized 'gator" from Henry Hennett, of Jacksonville. But so far there is no record of anyone coming forward as a victim of the alligator prank. However, Grant's favorite pet of all was his dog Rosie, who he reportedly talked to while he ate. So where did she get it? Our site is an advertising supported site. She was a gift from a Wisconsin senator who presumably thought the always hungry president would slaughter the cow and invite him over for steaks on the grill. However, his most well-known pet was Checkers the cocker spaniel, who . Menu. The wool was auctioned to raise money for the American Red Cross, a group that helps people in emergencies. So, not only did he spread his seed across a large chunk of the globe, but he lived until 1955 outliving Coolidge by 23 years. Known as the "Crocodile Man", Costa Rican animal lover 'Chito' swims, plays, and . They are creators of the best-selling "Woodrow, the White House Mouse" and other children's books that teach young readers about government and civics. "Alligators in the White House Bathtub, Oh My!" Finally, Old Whiskers decided he'd towed the bratty grandkids for the last fucking time. From George Washington's Dalmation all the way up to President-elect Joe Biden's rescue dog, here's a look at the long history of presidential pets. A herd of sheep graze on the White House lawn during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. Get the best of Cracked sent directly to your inbox! #361 in Children's Alligator & Crocodile Books (Books) #3,428 in Children's Pet Books (Books) #4,268 in Children's American Historical Fiction (Books) Irwan, the reptile's owner, said he bought the animal 20 years ago from local fishermen who were planning to kill it. They would have spoken out in anger or condemnation about how childish and immature the prank was if they were still hurt or embarrassed. And so, as Barack Obama harbors Portuguese water dogs, we remember a time when the leader of the free world kept a pet that refused to be tamed--and was often perfectly capable of devouring a human. In order to do his part for the war effort at home, Wilson brought in a flock sheep to graze the White House lawn which allowed the administration to do away with the groundskeeper and his crew, quite possibly the first migrant workers who were actually removed from a menial job no one else wanted to do. He had an unusual gift for then president John Quincy Adams: an alligator. -- Meet Rambo, a gentle alligator whose Florida owner says he "eats at the dinner table, sleeps in my bed and follows me around like my dogs." But now his owner, 55-year-old Mary Thorn . Associated Press. The reptile has made the news, too. Just look at this list: 11 horses, six dogs, five guinea pigs, two cats, one pig, one badger, one macaw, one bear, one hen, one rabbit, one lizard, one snake, one . The tradition of pets in the White House, especially dogs, is well-established.President Barack Obama had Bo, a Portuguese water dog. Previous page of related Sponsored Products. Name the U.S. President who sometimes let a couple of pet alligators loose to wander from room to room in the White House. Residents of the White House have had fur and feathers, claws and hooves, scales, stripes and prehensile tails. President Barack Obama adopted Portuguese water dogs Bo and Sunny during his two terms, and he was often seen walking them on the White House lawn with his family.