If you thought American politics was unpredictable, wait until you meet some fo the decidedly quirky critters who’ve called the White House home. Forget the usual tail-waggers and purr-machines for a moment; we’re talking about a cast of creatures so peculiar, they’d steal the scene in any political drama. Get ready to discover ten of the most unusual animal occupants who brought a touch of the wild (and sometimes the weird) to the esteemed halls of power. Here’s our top 10 crew (In no particular order.)

1. Rebecca the Raccoon (Calvin Coolidge): This little lady was sent to the Coolidge home for Thanksgiving dinner. I don’t mean as a guest. But “Silent Cal” and First Lady Grace Coolidge decided Rebecca was much too delightful to become the main dish. Fully exonerated, with a fresh outlook on life, she became quite the close companion. Trained on a leash, she enjoyed her strolls out. Rebecca even secured an invitation as an attendee to the Annual White House Easter Egg Roll. 
2. John Quincy Adams’ Alligator: Alligator?! Yes, the Marquis de Lafayette gifted this sixth President with an alligator. And no, Sadly, it did not get the privilege of being cuddled. The gator was said to have lived in a White House bathroom for a time, much to the surprise (and probably terror) of unsuspecting guests. “Well, you see, what happened was…” 
3. Andrew Jackson’s Colorful Parrot (Poll): Old Hickory was known for his fiery personality, and his swearing parrot, Poll, picked up a thing or two. Apparently, Poll’s vocabulary was so shockingly profane that the bird had to be 86’d from Jackson’s own funeral for cussing out the attendees. We can only imagine what was said! But, I bet you Jackson was there in spirit laughing at his fine feathered friend.
4. Theodore Roosevelt’s Badger (Josiah): Teddy Roosevelt’s White House was practically a zoo with snakes, a one-legged rooster, bears, and more. Among the standouts was Josiah, a badger his children took up with. Josiah had a bad habit of nipping at legs, which sounds about right for a badger given free rein of the Executive Mansion.
5. Woodrow Wilson’s Lawn-Mowing Sheep: During World War I, President Wilson brought a flock of sheep, including a ram named Old Ike, to graze on the White House lawn. This wasn’t just for pastoral charm; it was a patriotic gesture to save manpower for mowing and raising wool for the war effort. It makes sense to me!
6. Pauline Wayne the Cow (William Howard Taft): President Taft, a man of notable girth, was the last President to keep a cow at the White House. Pauline Wayne wasn’t just any cow; she provided fresh milk for the First Family and became quite the celebrity, even “interviewed” by the press.
7. The Mockingbirds (Thomas Jefferson): Our third president was a keen naturalist and particularly fond of mockingbirds. He reportedly had at least three or four, with his favorite named “Dick.” Dick was apparently allowed to fly freely around the President’s study, would perch on Jefferson’s shoulder, and even sing him to sleep.
8. The Tiger Cubs (Martin Van Buren): This is wild! The Sultan of Oman gifted President Van Buren two tiger cubs. However, Congress, not wanting to take a chance, insisted the cubs belonged to the American people and demanded they go to a zoo.  
9. Old Whiskers the Goat (Benjamin Harrison): President Harrison’s grandchildren had a pet goat named Old Whiskers (sometimes called His Whiskers). This goat was known for pulling the children around in a cart. Once, he attempted to make a break for it,  leading the President himself on a quirky chase down Pennsylvania Avenue. A truly presidential pursuit!
10. The Opossums (Herbert Hoover): Adding to the list of unusual White House marsupials (looking at you, Rebecca), Herbert Hoover’s son, Allan, had two pet opossums. While not much is widely documented about their antics, one was named “Billy Possum,” they were briefly (in)famous when they went missing and were later found. Makes us wonder who they were hanging around.

These are just a few of the fascinating and often funny animal tales from the White House. Even in the most powerful office in the world, there’s always been room for a pet that’s a little bit out of the ordinary, reminding us that presidents are people, too – people who sometimes want an alligator in the tub. Have you heard of any of these before? How about any that aren’t listed? Comment down below 👇

Sources: White House Archives NARA.gov, Whitehousehistory.gov , and Ripley’s Believe It or Not