History is full of memorable personalities, and some of them shared their homes with animals that most people would never consider as companions today.
These pets often reflected the owner’s interests, status, or cultural norms of their time, creating stories that still capture attention centuries later. Looking back at these unusual pairings offers a glimpse into how people once viewed wildlife, curiosity, and companionship in very different ways from modern standards.
Many of these animals were kept long before present day conservation rules or ethical guidelines, which adds important context to their stories. Understanding the era helps explain how these choices were made and why they were accepted at the time, even though they would raise concerns today.
Their experiences show how human relationships with animals have evolved and why modern practices now prioritise welfare and responsibility.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Exotic or unusual pets may require permits, specialised care, and may not be legal or ethical to keep in many regions. Always research carefully before considering any non-traditional pet. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual pets.
1. Theodore Roosevelt And His Menagerie
The Roosevelt family turned the White House into something resembling a zoo during their time there. Their collection included a one-legged rooster, a badger named Josiah, and even a small bear. The children kept snakes, and guests sometimes encountered unexpected creatures roaming the halls.
Roosevelt believed animals taught his kids responsibility and respect for nature. His love for wildlife extended beyond pets to conservation efforts that protected millions of acres. The president’s unusual household companions became legendary tales that still entertain people today.
2. Calvin Coolidge’s Pet Raccoons
Rebecca the raccoon arrived at the White House as a Thanksgiving dinner candidate, but President Coolidge had different plans. Instead of cooking her, he decided to keep her as a pet. She wandered the White House grounds freely and even had her own special house.
Rebecca enjoyed baths in the bathtub and loved being walked on a leash around the property. Coolidge later added another raccoon named Reuben to keep her company. These masked bandits brought unexpected joy to the typically reserved president’s daily routine.
3. Lord Byron’s Bear At Cambridge
When Cambridge University told Lord Byron he could not keep a dog in his dorm room, the rebellious poet found a loophole. The rules said nothing about bears, so he brought one to campus anyway. Byron enjoyed shocking people with his unconventional choices and lifestyle.
The bear supposedly attended lectures and lived in the tower where Byron stayed. Some accounts suggest Byron even considered having the bear sit for a fellowship degree. This act of defiance perfectly captured the poet’s wild spirit and disregard for boring rules.
4. Salvador Dalí And His Ocelot
Babou the ocelot accompanied the famous surrealist artist almost everywhere, including fancy restaurants in Paris. Dalí treated the wild cat like a house pet, though it terrified other diners. He once reassured a frightened woman that Babou was just a normal cat painted to look exotic.
The spotted feline matched Dalí’s eccentric personality perfectly and became part of his public image. Babou appeared in photographs and even travelled with the artist. Their partnership showed how Dalí blurred the lines between art, life, and the unexpected.
5. Marquis De Lafayette’s Alligators
When the Marquis de Lafayette visited President John Quincy Adams, he brought an unusual gift from his travels. Two live alligators arrived at the White House, and Adams decided to keep them in the East Room bathtub. Guests found the reptiles both fascinating and terrifying during their unexpected encounters.
The alligators stayed for several months before finding a new home. Adams enjoyed the novelty of having such exotic creatures in the presidential residence. This strange chapter in White House history reminds us that diplomatic gifts were not always practical or easy to manage.
6. Josephine Bonaparte’s Orangutan
Empress Josephine filled her palace at Malmaison with exotic animals from around the world. Her collection included an orangutan that reportedly joined the family for dinner dressed in formal clothing. The ape sat at the table and used utensils, entertaining guests with its almost human behaviour.
Josephine’s menagerie also featured kangaroos, black swans, and zebras roaming the extensive grounds. Her passion for rare animals reflected the era’s fascination with exploration and discovery. These creatures transformed her estate into a living museum that impressed visitors from across Europe.
7. Nikola Tesla’s Pigeons
Brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla developed a deep emotional connection with the pigeons of New York City. He fed them daily and even brought injured birds to his hotel room for care. Tesla claimed one special white pigeon with grey tips on her wings meant more to him than any human could.
He spent significant amounts of money treating sick pigeons and built special feeding boxes for them. Tesla believed this particular white pigeon communicated with him through her eyes. His devotion to these common birds revealed a tender side rarely seen in the famous scientist.
8. Florence Nightingale’s Owl
Before becoming the founder of modern nursing, young Florence Nightingale rescued a tiny owl in Athens. She named him Athena and carried him in her pocket wherever she travelled across Europe. The owl became her constant companion during a formative period of her life.
Athena provided comfort during times when Nightingale felt misunderstood by her family. She wrote about the owl in letters and clearly cherished their bond. Sadly, Athena died while Nightingale was away, leaving her heartbroken. The experience deepened her compassion for all vulnerable creatures needing care.
9. Elvis Presley’s Kangaroo
At the height of his fame, Elvis Presley kept a kangaroo on his Graceland estate. The marsupial roamed the property alongside other exotic animals the singer collected. Elvis enjoyed surprising visitors with his unusual menagerie, which also included monkeys and peacocks.
The kangaroo did not stay at Graceland permanently, as caring for such animals proved challenging. Elvis eventually donated many of his exotic pets to the Memphis Zoo. His brief ownership of a kangaroo reflected the rock star’s impulsive nature and desire to live beyond ordinary boundaries.
10. Audrey Hepburn’s Deer
While filming Green Mansions, Audrey Hepburn bonded with a fawn named Pippin who appeared in the movie. The animal trainer suggested she take the deer home so it would follow her naturally on set. Pippin lived with Hepburn at her Beverly Hills house and even slept in her bed.
The elegant actress walked her deer through the neighbourhood and brought it to the grocery store. Photographs of Hepburn with Pippin captured a magical moment of genuine connection between human and animal. Their friendship lasted beyond filming, creating memories the actress treasured forever.
