Tooth and Claw

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In American sports, mascots serve as symbols, weapons and sources of power. Most of them are animals.

By PETER GEORGIEV | December 9, 2019

Sources: MascotDB, Roy Yarbrough, BBC


Eagles and tigers dominate

Animals rule the kingdom of sports, according to an analysis of 42,092 names collected by Terry Borning, the creator of MascotDB.

These are the most popular symbols among high-school, college and professional teams in the United States.




How the top 100 break down

When it comes to choosing a name, striking fear into the enemy’s heart is an essential requirement.

Here are the five sources teams are most likely to draw inspiration from when forging an imposing identity.


circles

One of a kind

Bored by angry birds and cats? Some teams prefer a unique mascot.

slug

The Banana Slug

In the 1980s, the University of California, Santa Cruz wanted to have a mascot like no other. Ever since, many of their opponents have slipped on the banana slug.

koala

The Fighting Koala

Cute and friendly? Not the Columbia College Koalas. They are truly dangerous beasts.

biscuit

The Biscuit

Weaponizing baked goods is an unusual strategy but for the Montgomery Biscuits it has proven successful. Their mascot might be the most delicious one in all of sports.

soul

The Soul

Every team has a soul but only Philadelphia, a professional arena football club, decided to embed it in their logo.

geoduck

The Geoduck

Considered a delicacy in China, the geoduck can live up to 160 years. For the Evergreen State College, the world’s largest burrowing clam is also a beloved mascot named Speedy.