LSU Mascot Tiger Playing in Rare Louisiana Snow Delights Students on Campus

After a late January winter storm blanketed much of the American South in snow, dozens of adorable videos of pets romping in the powder have gone viral online. From serene midnight walks in the snowfall to the cutest snowball fights you'll ever see, there are so many ways our four-legged friends are learning to enjoy the snow. However, one very special Louisiana tiger had a blast after the snowfall, but a special interaction with students left everyone feeling giddy and joyful.

Mike is a special Bengal and Siberian tiger who lives on the Louisiana State University campus, where he also serves as the mascot. He has a state-of-the-art habitat with its own waterfall and river, but a snow day is extremely rare! Many LSU students, like music composition major Amanda Short, stopped by his habitat to see how he liked the special weather, and it's safe to say that the big cat was having the best day ever.

Click here to watch the video.

OMG—look at him run! These students are so lucky to get a close-up view of a beautiful and powerful predator, though, in moments like these, he acts more like a big house cat. Whether he's chasing a toy or indulging his hunting instincts, he'll always share a lot in common with his feline family members.

Related: French Zoo Announces Birth of Two Endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs

As someone who lived on-campus during college, I know that this majestic Bengal tiger witnesses a lot on a day-to-day basis. College campuses may as well be renamed Shenanigan City! I can only imagine the kind of enrichment Mike gets from LSU students every day, but chasing an inflatable sled in the snow has to be one of the most special adventures he's ever had.

Who is Mike the Tiger?

The tiger has been the mascot for Louisiana State University since the late 19th century, but the school first introduced a live mascot in 1939. Since then, animal welfare has greatly improved, and Mike's habitat, schedule, and care have reflected that. His care guidelines have even been approved by the Federal Animal Welfare Act and the USDA! Mike III was the first to have veterinary care, for example, while Mike IV was the first to enjoy an expanded 1100-foot habitat.

Mike VII, the tiger in this video, joined the LSU family in 2017 at nearly 1 year old. He's a rescued tiger from Wild at Heart Wildlife Center in Florida, though he isn't the first Mike to come from an animal sanctuary. Starting with Mike IV, all of the LSU tigers are rescues! The school is committed to giving him the best care possible, but fun snow days and student interactions are the cherry on top. When it comes to having fun, he's just a big tabby cat!

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