1

Sloth

Two-toed sloths are the species most commonly allowed as pets in the U.S. However, they require special care, a suitable environment, and—since they can live up to 30 years—a committed owner. Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas allow ownership of two-toed sloths without a permit. Other states may require a license.

2

Caiman

One would think that Caiman Central (commonly known as Florida) might allow its residents to own caimans as pets, but it’s actually the contrary: they are considered invasive and dangerous, so depending on the species, they are either illegal to own or require a permit. However, the state of Tennessee allows ownership of dwarf caimans without a permit.

3

Elk

The United States has a large elk population across many states, both wild and domesticated, and many states will allow you to own them as livestock with a proper license. If you’ve always dreamed of having a pet elk, there’s good news: in Alaska, you can legally own a domesticated elk, as long as it was not captured from the wild.

4

Bison

Bison can be found across all 50 states, either in the wild or raised as livestock on ranches. However, not all states permit private ownership of them. In most states, some sort of permit is required to raise bison as cattle, with varying degrees of difficulty. Once again, Alaska offers a solution for bison enthusiasts: like elk, bison can be kept as pets, provided they are domesticated and not captured from the wild.

5

Sugar Glider

These small possums make good pets because they are social, playful, cuddly, and form strong bonds with their owners. However, they are exotic pets and require specialized care, a specific diet, and proper maintenance. Most states allow sugar gliders to be owned without a permit, but Georgia, New Mexico, and parts of New York require a license. In Hawaii, California, and Alaska, owning a sugar glider is illegal.

6

Kangaroo

Surprisingly, many states allow kangaroos and wallabies as pets. Some states may require a license, but Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oregon classify them as "uncontrolled" exotics, so no permit is needed. Kangaroos and wallabies are completely banned as pets in Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, and New Hampshire.

7

Fennec Fox

Native to North African deserts, fennec foxes are the smallest fox species, characterized by their large ears. You can legally own them without a permit in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and New York (though not in New York City). The rest of the states either require a permit or deem it illegal.

8

Kinkajou

These adorable mammals, also known as honey bears, are related to raccoons and coatis. There are no federal laws restricting kinkajou ownership, but several states either prohibit them or require a permit. States that allow ownership without a permit include Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.

9

Python

When it comes to permits, not all snakes are treated the same. Regulations depend on how dangerous a species might be and the potential impact on local ecosystems if released. Following this logic, not all pythons are equally restricted: species such as the Burmese or Indian python are illegal in many states, while others, like the Ball python, are legal without a permit in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

10

Tarantula

Tarantulas are not banned in any state, but some species might be restricted and require a special permit, in particular those considered an endangered species or potentially invasive. So, if you dream of having a pet spider, check your state laws first to ensure your desired species will not cause you legal problems in the future.

1

Lucy Ricardo ( I Love Lucy )

Image: TV Guide, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being a series from the 1950s, I Love Lucy made such a strong impact on American culture that it’s still remembered and referenced today. And it’s impossible to forget Lucy Ricardo, the lovable protagonist who was always chasing "a little more" out of life through daring and hilarious adventures with her husband and neighbors. The familiarity of the characters and the way they connected with viewers turned the show into a success that totally transcended its time.

2

Spock ( Star Trek )

Image: NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This pair of pointed ears is really hard to forget. Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek , is easily one of the most memorable characters on TV, and we get why. His particular appearance and his calm, controlled demeanor made him irresistible to almost everyone in the audience. Alongside his discipline, strong values, and quiet reserve, his warm and empathetic human side would occasionally shine through, making him one of our favorites.

3

Fonzie "The Fonz" ( Happy Days )

Image: ABC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fonzarelli, Fonzie, the Fonz: three names for everyone’s favorite character from Happy Days . Fonzie wasn’t just the epitome of cool; he also had a loyal, charismatic, and genuinely warm personality that made him impossible not to love.

4

Samantha Stephens ( Bewitched )

Image: ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you had magical powers, your life would probably resemble that of Samantha Stephens, the lovable star of Bewitched , and that's probably what made this series such a success. Samantha’s warm personality and intelligence (along with her powers, of course) allowed her to balance her magical world and her human life. And along the way, she gives us some really funny adventures!

5

Michael Scott ( The Office )

Image: Steve_Carell_with_wife_Nancy_Walls_@_2010_Academy_Awards.jpg: Photo by Sgt. Michael Connorsderivative work: RanZag, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Scott may not seem like the nicest character ever, but it’s precisely his quirkiness and his desperate need to be liked that make us end up loving him so much. Well-intentioned but socially awkward, this character is so funny that no matter what he does, we can’t help but adore him.

6

Kermit the Frog ( Sesame Street/The Muppet Show )

Image: Pattie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who said all the characters on this list had to be human? No one would have guessed that a puppet could become a total celebrity, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened with Kermit, the most famous frog of all. The best part is that you don’t have to be a child to appreciate the optimism, warmth, and humor that make us all love dear Kermit.

7

Chandler Bing ( Friends )

Image: Tracie Hall from Orange County, us, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Each one of the six main characters of Friends has a strong fan base, but one stands out: Chandler Bing. Undoubtedly one of the most beloved, Chandler won us over with his humble heart, his awkwardness in understanding and managing emotions, and, of course, his silly jokes that came out even at the most inappropriate moments.

8

Mulder & Scully ( The X-Files )

Image: Marcin Wichary from San Francisco, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

We had to pick one, but we just couldn’t: Mulder and Scully are inseparable. Though very different, the two main characters of The X-Files won over audiences equally. Mulder, the believer and passionate investigator, and Scully, the skeptical but determined scientist, come together to complement each other in the most perfect way.

9

Sheriff Andy Taylor ( The Andy Griffith Show )

Image: Rogers & Cowan, Beverly Hills-publicity agency, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

That kind face was enough to win our hearts, but Sheriff Andy Taylor offers so much more: kindness, good intentions, and a calm demeanor, along with humor and intelligence. Often serving as the moral compass in The Andy Griffith Show , he became a familiar and trusted presence for audiences of all ages.

10

Sheldon Cooper ( The Big Bang Theory )

Image: MelodyJSandoval, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

His enormous intelligence and sharp logic make him stand out in the academic world, but his struggles with social connections complicate his personal life. This is Sheldon Cooper, one of TV’s most beloved "brainiacs." Despite his difficulty with sarcasm, his cold and distant demeanor, and his unbearably pragmatic nature, Sheldon has a certain charm that makes him impossible not to love.

1

Unexpected gifts

Among the many objects and people who enter the White House every day, there are many gifts. And it's not just letters, children's drawings, or flower bouquets. Some of the gifts that have arrived at the Executive Mansion are really crazy. Among them, we can mention the giant 1,400-pound wheel of cheese that Andrew Jackson welcomed, the two grains of rice with tiny portraits of himself that Nixon received, the Komodo dragon given to George H.W. Bush, and the three-foot-long jewel-encrusted sword that Obama was given as a gift from Saudi Arabia.

2

Big party

In the past, the White House was more "accessible." So much so that when Jackson became president in 1829, the thousands of people who followed him to his residence threw a huge party right there in the gardens of the Executive Mansion, with some even entering the house. The party lasted for hours and marked a turning point in the relationship between US presidents and the citizens.

3

Judo at the White House

Visits to the White House are usually steeped in strict protocol, but there's always some room for surprises. One of these unexpected moments happened in 1904 when Teddy Roosevelt welcomed a Swiss diplomat. President Roosevelt was renowned for his physical prowess, and one of his favorite activities was judo. To show off his new skills, he invited the Swiss diplomat to join one of his practice sessions. But the poor man never imagined the president of the US would flip him with a judo throw, leaving the shocked diplomat on the mat!

4

Ghosts?

It's not just the living who create memorable moments at the White House. It's said that the spirits of figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Dolley Madison, and Andrew Jackson have been seen in the presidential residence. But one story stands out above the rest. During WWII, Churchill was staying at the White House when, one night after a shower, he reportedly encountered the ghost of President Lincoln! Churchill allegedly said, "Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage."

5

Intruder helicopter

The first issue of "People" magazine, the debut episode of   Happy Days, and the premiere of   The Godfather II all arrived in 1974, a year equally tumultuous for politics. On February 17, a strange event occurred: A US Army private first class stole a helicopter and landed it on the White House lawn without permission. According to various accounts, the soldier had not graduated from the pilot course and, frustrated, stole the helicopter to show off his skills. Bold!

6

Santa

Sometimes, Santa shows up with more surprises than a sack full of presents. On December 12, 1983, none other than Mr. T arrived at the White House dressed as Santa! As part of First Lady Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign, Mr. T played Santa for the children visiting the White House that day. But it wasn't just for the kids: the First Lady herself perched on Mr. T's lap, making a holiday wish.

7

Homemade gin

Every president has their own particular hobbies and preferences, and Dwight D. Eisenhower was no exception. It's said he was a fan of gin-based drinks, particularly martinis, and took a special interest in them. He even made his own gin right inside the White House! While it wasn't exactly classic "bathtub gin," as some like to claim, it was definitely a homemade recipe.

8

Prom

The White House has seen all kinds of events over the years. But there was someone who made history on that front, and it wasn't a president but his daughter! We're talking about President Gerald Ford's daughter, Susan Ford, who in 1975 became the first —and so far, only— presidential child to host a prom at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

9

Bowling lane

As we've mentioned, each inhabitant of the Executive Mansion found their way to make the house feel like home. It turns out that President Nixon had a full, modern bowling alley installed inside the White House. And unlike that stationary bike we bought months ago (and it's still in its packaging), he actually used it regularly!

10

Unusual pets

The White House has a long list of animal inhabitants! For example, John Quincy Adams’ famous alligator, Theodore Roosevelt's bear cub, Calvin Coolidge's raccoons, Andrew Jackson's foul-mouthed parrot, and one of the most surprising: the tiger cubs gifted to President Martin van Buren.