About six hours south of our last Mascot Monday feature (Sammy the Slug) lives another unique mascot, UC Irvine’s Peter the Anteater.  This mascot was a close second to Sammy, according to my father.

According the Anteater Chronicles website, the Anteater was chose in 1965 in a student election.  ” The choice was hailed for its originality, winning over the second place choice “None of these” and the more common – if less imaginative – Eagles, Unicorns and Seahawks.”  This mascot is unique and unexpected, but the reason you may have heard of him before is thanks to  a sign at John Wayne International Airport reads “Welcome to Anteater Country.”