Was there an alligator in the White House?

Did you know President John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator? He kept it in a bathtub in the East Room of the White House. But President Adams wasn't the only commander-in-chief with an unusual pet.

Were there alligators in the White House?

John Quincy Adams received an alligator from Marquis de Lafayette. The gator apparently lived in a bathroom and Adams used it to scare guests sometimes. Herbert Hoover's son, Allan, later owned a pair of gators at the White House. Alligators are plenty scary, just like snakes.

Which president had an alligator in the White House?

President John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) kept an alligator in a bathtub.

How many alligators have lived in the White House?

Long before our nation had animal rights organizations and activists, some exotic animals took up residence at the White House. The largest — and toothiest — of these are the alligators of not one, but two, presidents.

Did John Quincy Adams keep an alligator in the White House?

According to legend, John Quincy Adams kept an alligator in the White House for several months. The uncommon pet, a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette, took up residence in the unfinished East Room bathroom.

Florida woman comes face-to-face with alligator in kitchen

Which US president had a pet hyena?

Theodore Roosevelt (26th President, 1901-1913) and his family also loved animals and had plenty of them at the White House, including a zebra, a parrot, bears, a lion, a hyena, a coyote, rats, and a one-legged rooster.

What was the weirdest pet in the White House?

What president had a tiger?

Tiger (Tige) – Blacky and I were the first of the Coolidge cats to live in the White House. President Coolidge liked to wear me around his neck. I loved to explore, and the first time that I escaped, I went all the way to the Lincoln memorial!

Which president had the weirdest pet?

William Mckinley and Theodore Roosevelt each had a rooster, but Roosevelt's only had one leg. Roosevelt for sure wins the contest of the oddest presidential pets in the White House. He had close to 40 animals with entertaining names, like the ones for his guinea pigs: Admiral Dewey, Bishop Doane, Dr.

Who gave John Adams an alligator?

The alligator, given to President John Quincy Adams by the Marquis de Lafayette, resided in a bathroom in the East Room for a time. President Adams served from 1825 to 1829.

Which president had a hippo?

Billy, or William Johnson Hippopotamus, (Before 1927 – October 11, 1955) was a pygmy hippopotamus given to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. Captured in Liberia, he was given to Coolidge by Harvey Samuel Firestone in 1927.

Which president had a raccoon?

Spring 1999: More Presidential Pets

President Coolidge's favorite pet was a raccoon named Rebecca; he built a special house for her, visited her every day, and walked her around the White House on a leash.

Did Herbert Hoover have an alligator?

While President Herbert Hoover had his share of pets, his second son Allan Henry Hoover had a pair to beat them all. Allan Hoover was gifted two alligators by Clarence Woolley. According to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the alligators were normally kept in a bathtub, but often escaped.

Did John Adams have an alligator?

During an 1825 tour of the United States, French revolutionary hero the Marquis de Lafayette visited the White House. He had an unusual gift for then president John Quincy Adams: an alligator. Adams decided to lodge the reptile in the then-unfinished East Room of the White House, which had its own bath tub.

What is the most famous presidential pet?

George and Barbara Bush's dog Millie, may have been the most famous presidential dog. Millie was an English Springer Spaniel that even had her own memoir. The book, Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush reached the New York Times Best Seller list in 1992.

Which president had a bear?

This photo was taken in 1902. Our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, began his Presidency in 1901, along with six children and more animals than the White House had ever seen. The Roosevelt children's family of pets included a small bear named Jonathan Edwards; a lizard named Bill; guinea pigs named Admiral Dewey, Dr.

Which president had an elephant as a pet?

PARTY ANIMALS

Some of the more unusual U.S. presidential pets have been gifts from other world leaders. James Buchanan, the 15th president, received a herd of elephants from the King of Siam (now called Thailand).

How many bathrooms are in the White House?

The White House remains a place where history continues to unfold. There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.

Which president had a dog?

Ronald Reagan owned a Bouvier des Flandres called Lucky, and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex. He also had four other dogs that lived on his ranch. — a Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Belgian Sheepdog, and Siberian Husky.

Which president had a pet lion?

President Theodore Roosevelt and family were prolific pet owners and animal lovers.

What presidents never had pets?

Most United States presidents have kept pets while in office, or pets have been part of their families. Only James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump did not have any presidential pets while in office. However, Johnson did take care of some mice he found in his bedroom, feeding them, among other things.

Which president had a pet squirrel?

Presidential Pets (1921-1945) Navy Secretary Denby makes friends with Pete the squirrel on the White House lawn on October 10, 1922 during President Warren Harding's Administration.

Which president had a pet opossum?

Stories about President Benjamin Harrison's pet opossums, Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection, can be found all over the internet.