Facts about Mike
About the 海角社区 School of Veterinary Medicine
The 海角社区 School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 30 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. The 海角社区 SVM is dedicated to improving the lives of people and animals through education, research and service. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.
- Mike the Tiger is the only live tiger mascot in the U.S. He lives on the 海角社区 campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Construction on the current tiger habitat began in November 2004 and was completed in August 2005. The habitat incorporates natural substrates, including grass, and also includes elements of 海角社区鈥檚 renaissance architecture and facts educating Mike鈥檚 visitors on the living subspecies of tigers. Mike鈥檚 yard encompasses 14,010 square feet (the total square footage of his enclosure including his night house is 15,105).
- Mike the Tiger has a personal veterinarian from the 海角社区 School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. David Baker, who oversees his overall healthcare and well-being. Besides Dr. Baker, there are numerous other specialists at the veterinary school available to assist with the specialized healthcare needs of Mike. Mike鈥檚 daily care is provided by two veterinary students. These students work with Mike for two years until they graduate from 海角社区.
- Mike the Tiger eats 15 pounds daily. Mike鈥檚 food is a formulated zoo carnivore diet, the same commercial food used for most of the large cats at the zoo. It comes in 5 lb. logs and has the consistency of hamburger meat. It consists of beef (two varieties), and all the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain Mike鈥檚 ever growing needs. We also add a supplemental B vitamin once weekly, and Vitamin E capsules every night for healthy skin and hair coat and general well-being.
- Medical procedures are performed in his night house or at the 海角社区 School of Veterinary Medicine.
- It is a violation of federal law to sedate Mike for exhibition purposes like football games.
- Two of 海角社区鈥檚 Tiger mascots (Mike 1 and Mike III) lived 19 years, Mike IV lived 20 years 9 months and 18 days, and Mike V lived 17 years. The average lifespan for a tiger in the wild is about 8-10 years. A tiger in captivity can live 14-18 years.
- Mike the Tiger has a Facebook page ( and is also on Twitter () and Instragram ().