Tigers, crocodiles, and dogs… animals that lived inside the White House

Since its completion in November 1800, the White House (the official residence of the presidency in the United States) has not only housed humans but also many animals, after the second president, John Adams, established the tradition of keeping them within the residence, a practice that continued with subsequent presidents.

A report from the site “APB” clarified that… The Russian “Ri” states that the dog is the most popular animal among presidents, with thirty out of forty-five having owned a dog within the presidential residence. Moreover, some of these animals have become famous personalities, like Barack Obama’s dog; however, it wasn’t the only animal, as it was accompanied by other unusual pets:

Sheep

Sheep played an important role in the White House during World War I and were utilized after President Woodrow Wilson decided to reduce the cost of living in the White House.

Dogs

Former President John Adams gave unusual names to all the animals that lived with him in the White House, naming his first dog “Slamguno,” his second “Satan,” and his horse “Cleopatra.”

Crocodile

During the second visit of the French revolutionary leader Marquis de Lafayette in 1825, the president received an unusual gift: a crocodile, which was placed in the White House bathroom inside the East Room, which was not yet completed at that time.

Tigers

The eighth president, Martin Van Buren, who was an animal lover during his presidency—received a gift of two tiger cubs and had to engage in a struggle with Congress to obtain permission to raise them in the White House.

The Congress believed that the gift was intended for the country and not for the person of the president, while the president insisted that it was a personal gift, leading Congress to win after a long struggle, and the cubs were kept in the Washington Zoo.

Raccoon

The thirtieth president, Calvin Coolidge, and his wife Grace had a raccoon named “Rebecca,” as well as a donkey, fish, and geese, but they preferred the raccoon and even allowed it to live with them.
This animal caused the troubles that White House staff experienced due to the damage inflicted on the expensive furniture and decor.

Seal

Caroline, the daughter of President John Kennedy, the 35th president, kept a dowry that became famous across the country after photos of her with the dowry were published in Life magazine. The singer and songwriter Neil Diamond says that this image inspired him to write the song “Sweet Caroline.”

Parrot

The same magazine reported that the seventh president, Andrew Jackson, lived a very stressful life, was characterized by a strong personality, and was known for often using strange and vulgar language.

When Jackson was elected president in 1829, he brought the parrot “Paul” to the White House, but this bird learned some of its owner’s inappropriate vocabulary to the extent that it kept squawking loudly, uttering those words.

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