Excerpt from Wackiest White House Pets

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The White House has been home to some of the most powerful men and women in the world. But it has also been home to some of the most interesting and eccentric pets. From cats and dogs to bears and raccoons, the White House has housed some of the most unique animals in American history. Here are some of the wackiest White House pets.

Calvin Coolidge’s Pygmy Hippo

Calvin Coolidge's Pygmy Hippo

The most eccentric of all White House pets has to be Calvin Coolidge’s pygmy hippo. The president was gifted the pygmy hippo, named Billy, from the king of Liberia. Although the president kept the hippo in a White House bathtub, it was eventually moved to the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Billy the pygmy hippo became a beloved figure in the nation’s capital.

Herbert Hoover’s Alligators

Herbert Hoover's Alligators

The White House is most well-known for its Presidential pets, but it is also home to some of the most peculiar animals. During Herbert Hoover’s time in office, he was said to have kept two alligators in the White House swimming pool. The alligators were a gift from a South American diplomat and were said to have grown to almost five feet long.

Rutherford B. Hayes’s Goats

Rutherford B. Hayes's Goats

Rutherford B. Hayes was known to have kept a few unusual pets in the White House. He is said to have owned two goats, one named Old Whiskers and the other named Nanko. The goats were known to roam the grounds of the White House, and even had their own personal servant to care for them. Old Whiskers was also known to ride in a White House carriage and attend parties.

John Quincy Adams’ Silkworms

John Quincy Adams' Silkworms

John Quincy Adams was said to have kept a few unusual pets in the White House. He is reported to have kept a colony of silkworms in his office. Adams was an avid gardener and was said to be fascinated by the silkworms, often inviting visitors to watch the caterpillars spin their cocoons. He even wrote about his experiences with the silkworms in his diary.



The White House has been home to some of the most powerful people in the world, but it has also been home to some of the most unique and eccentric pets. From pygmy hippos and alligators to goats and silkworms, the White House has seen its fair share of unusual animals over the years. These pets have become part of the White House’s rich history, and will always be remembered as some of the wackiest White House pets.

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