These Crazy Pets of Famous Historical Figures Are Wild

Why So Wild?

Throughout history, people have had some pretty wild ideas about what makes a good pet.

From royals to celebrities, everyone seemed to have a penchant for the exotic and unusual.

But while these animals might have turned heads and started conversations, many are now considered illegal to own.

Biggest Misconceptions

Unusual pets were just for the rich and famous.
All pets must be safe and friendly.
Every animal can be domesticated with love and care.

1. Josephine's Orangutan

Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon, had a pet orangutan. This orangutan was no ordinary pet; it often joined her at the dinner table.

The orangutan, dressed in a white cotton chemise, had impeccable manners. It even developed a taste for turnips.

Josephine wasn't just fascinated by orangutans. She also owned other exotic animals like emus, black swans, and kangaroos.

Misconceptions about Josephine's Orangutan

Not just a rumor: Historical accounts confirm Josephine's pet orangutan.
Dressed up: Yes, it really wore clothes.
Dinner guest: It actually had a seat at the dining table.

Keeping such animals as pets today would be illegal due to animal welfare laws and conservation concerns. Yet, Josephine's quirky choice of pets adds a splash of color to history.

Josephine's love for her orangutan was genuine, though it might seem odd now. Her menagerie of exotic animals showed her unique style and interests.

2. Rasputin's Peacocks

Rasputin, known for his wild mysticism and influence over the Russian royal family, also had a soft spot for pets. Among his most dazzling and eccentric choices were his peacocks.

These birds were not just decorative. Rasputin believed that their striking plumage had mystical properties. He would often showcase the peacocks during gatherings, claiming they brought good luck.

Here are some points about Rasputin's peacocks that may surprise you:

Mystical Beliefs: Rasputin thought peacocks could ward off evil spirits.
Status Symbol: The exotic birds displayed his unique status and influence.
Care Requirements: Peacocks require a lot of space and specific care to thrive, making them a rare choice for pets.

One might wonder how Rasputin managed to keep these extravagant birds in the Russian climate. He likely had special accommodations to ensure their survival through harsh winters.

His peacocks became part of his larger-than-life legend. Today, owning peacocks is heavily regulated due to their care needs and potential environmental impact.

The combination of Rasputin's mysticism and his peacocks left an indelible mark on history, blending the bizarre and the fabulous in equal measure.

3. Caligula's Incitatus

Caligula, the Roman emperor known for his eccentric ways, had a favorite horse named Incitatus. He loved this horse so much that he gave it a life of luxury that would make any regular citizen jealous.

Incitatus had his own marble stall and an ivory manger. It's said he wore a collar of precious jewels and had 18 servants to cater to his every need.

But that's not all. Caligula even planned to make Incitatus a consul, the highest political office in Rome. While ancient sources agree this promotion never actually happened, the mere idea showcases Caligula's quirky and over-the-top nature.

Many believed the emperor's actions were a way to mock the political system of Rome. Whether he was serious or just making a point, Incitatus remains a symbol of Caligula's outrageous reign.

There's some debate over the true details of Incitatus's life, but what remains clear is that Caligula’s pet horse lived better than many humans of the time.

Biggest Misconceptions:

Incitatus officially became a consul: This didn't actually happen.
Caligula was sane: Clearly, his behavior suggests otherwise.

Incitatus has become an enduring legend, representing the extravagant and bizarre aspects of Caligula's rule. Even today, people are fascinated by the story of the horse that almost became a Roman consul.

4. Ramses II's Gazelle

Ramses II, the famous Egyptian pharaoh, had an unexpected pet: a gazelle. This gazelle wasn't just any pet; it was a royal companion that followed him almost everywhere.

A gazelle might seem like an odd choice, but Ramses II adored his swift and graceful friend. These animals were symbols of beauty and speed, qualities Ramses II valued.

Keeping a gazelle as a pet today would be illegal in many places due to conservation laws. Wild animals are protected, and owning one can disrupt their natural habitat.

Some common myths about Ramses II’s gazelle:

They believed it brought him good luck in battles.
People thought it had magical abilities.
Some even imagined it wore tiny gold jewelry.

Ramses II’s love for his gazelle shows how different times were. Nowadays, we protect wild species, keeping them in their natural environment.

5. Elagabalus' Sacred Bull

Elagabalus, one of Rome's most controversial emperors, had a flair for the dramatic. Known for his eccentricities, he took his love for the bizarre to new heights with his sacred bull.

This wasn't just any bull.

Elagabalus worshipped the sun god Elah-Gabal, and his sacred bull was part of his strange religious rituals. The bull was treated like royalty, with lavish decorations and ceremonies.

People were baffled.

Here's what makes Elagabalus' sacred bull so outlandish:

The bull was paraded through the streets in extravagant processions.
Rituals involved the bull that were somewhat shocking to Roman sensibilities.
Sacrifices and feasts centered around this honored animal.

Naturally, this didn't sit well with everyone.

Romans were puzzled and sometimes furious. They couldn't wrap their heads around this sudden bull obsession. It was one of the many things that made Elagabalus' reign truly wild.

In the present day, parading a holy bull around town would definitely raise eyebrows. Keeping exotic pets like this is banned in many places due to safety and ethical concerns.

Elagabalus' bull is a classic example of how historical pets can be both fascinating and totally bonkers.

6. Tycho Brahe's Elk

Tycho Brahe, a famous 16th-century astronomer, had an unusual pet—a tame elk. This elk wasn't just any ordinary tame animal; it loved drinking beer. Yes, you read that right—beer.

One evening, Brahe sent his elk to visit a nobleman. During this visit, the elk drank way too much beer. Sadly, it met a tragic and bizarre end by falling down a staircase.

Some quick facts to clear up any misconceptions:

The elk wasn't a moose, though some stories mix them up.
This wasn't a common practice; Brahe's elk was a true oddity.
Drinking beer, even for animals, wasn't that unusual at the time.

The elk's unusual demise adds an odd chapter to the colorful life of Tycho Brahe, making him even more famous. Today, keeping an elk as a pet, let alone a beer-drinking one, would definitely be illegal in most places.

7. George Washington's Parrot

George Washington, the first President of the United States, had a pretty famous parrot named Polly. Polly wasn't just any parrot; she was a staple at state gatherings and often perched right next to Martha Washington.

People visiting the Washingtons often remarked on Polly's presence. Guests were quite amused to see the parrot comfortably sitting with the First Lady during important events. Polly made a lively addition to the room with her chatter.

It's worth noting that George Washington was quite a fan of birds in general. He owned several other birds alongside Polly. Though Polly herself wasn’t on the list of illegal pets today, her kind of bird is now subject to strict import laws due to conservation efforts.

Common Misconceptions:

Polly was George's Parrot: Polly actually belonged to Martha.
Parrots can legally be kept as pets everywhere: Many parrots are protected and require special permits.

The story of Washington’s parrot sheds light on how pets were an integral part of historical figures’ lives, even during significant political events. Polly’s antics surely added a touch of charm to their otherwise serious lives.

8. Andrew Jackson's Fighting Rooster

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was known for his fiery personality. Interestingly, this extended to his choice of pets as well. Among his unique pets, Jackson had a fighting rooster.

Jackson's rooster was known for participating in cockfights on White House grounds.

Cockfighting was a popular pastime in the 19th century but is now illegal due to animal cruelty concerns.

Imagine attending a presidential event and seeing a rooster poised for battle! The image is both startling and amusing.

Today, having a fighting rooster is not only frowned upon but illegal in many places.

Animal welfare laws have come a long way since Jackson's time, reflecting our evolving views on the treatment of animals.

Cockfighting and similar activities are banned, with heavy penalties for those who engage in them.

This is a big change from the days when figures like Andrew Jackson could openly engage in such practices.

9. Lord Byron's Bear

Lord Byron attended Trinity College, Cambridge, starting in 1805. Back then, the college had strict rules against keeping dogs on campus.

To protest, Byron brought a tame bear instead. Yep, you read that right: a bear.

Byron loved animals and hated rules. So, when the college banned dogs, he found a loophole and chose a bear.

The funny part? The college couldn't kick the bear out. Their rulebook didn’t mention bears!

Byron walked the bear on a chain. He even talked to it like it was his buddy.

He once joked about applying to make the bear a student! That's one outrageous move. Even for today's standards.

Misconceptions:

Byron admired bears: Not really, he just hated rules.
He kept the bear for its strength: Nope, rebellion was the main reason.
The bear was ferocious: Not true, it was tame and treated like a pet.

Lord Byron’s bear stands as a wild, rebellious chapter in history. It's a tale of breaking rules with wit and a touch of craziness.

10. Pope Leo X's White Elephant

Pope Leo X had a pet elephant named Hanno. Hanno was a gift from King Manuel I of Portugal. He arrived in Rome in 1514 and quickly captured the Pope's heart.

Hanno was an Asian elephant, which made him an unusual sight in 16th-century Rome. People were amazed by his size and presence.

Hanno lived in the Vatican's Belvedere courtyard. He became a star attraction, entertaining guests with his tricks and charm.

The elephant’s life, however, wasn't very long. Hanno passed away in 1516, just two years after arriving in Rome. The Pope was so sad that he ordered a tomb and memorial for his gentle giant.

Misconceptions about Hanno:

Hanno was not an African elephant; he was Asian.
He wasn’t fully buried. Only some parts remained in the Vatican.
He was given by the King of Portugal, not Italy.

Hanno’s story seems like something out of a fairy tale. It’s definitely one of the most interesting tales from the Vatican's history.

(a: page://CAprX9bDvWady8Hc text: More on why people owned exotic pets throughout history).