The Anteater native to Central and South America and is a sloth like create that eats ants, termites, and fruit and it is the mascot of UCI.
History:
In 1965, it was decided to let the students choose the animal that would represent UCI. Students were to submit their candidates, and the favorites would be voted on in a campus-wide election. Among the proposed mascots were the roadrunner, the unicorn, or the golden bison that once roamed the Irvine Ranch. Student Schuyler Basset proposed an anteater, inspired by Johnny Hart's comic strip B.C. Basset proceeded to blitz the campus with pro-anteater literature for the original and slightly irreverent mascot. The first athletic event on campus was a water polo game against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. With an attendance of 900 of the 1,500 student body and right before the mascot election, the pro-anteater water polo players and their associates passed roll-out party favors to the crowd and yelled "Give `em a tongue!" Shortly thereafter, students voted 56 percent to adopt the anteater and the onomatopoeia Zot.
Peter the Anteater:
Since then numerous structures have been named, idols forged and homages made, to appease and honor the anteater gods. Their leader is named Peter...the Anteater.
Other Anteaters:
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A giant mosaic anteater on Ring Road at flagpoles and Langston Library and Gateway Study Center.
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A 430 pound bronze anteater in front of Bren Events Center.
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A bronze anteater above the second floor main entrance of the Student Center next to the West Food Court.
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Two bronze anteaters sit on benches on the second floor of the Student Center Terrace.
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A taxidermy giant anteater is on the first floor of the Student Center next to the Student Center Computer Lab and the Courtyard Study Lounge
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There are several tiles with anteaters that decorate the University Center.
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Two giant anteaters at the Santa Ana Zoo. The male named Peter and is sponsored by the UCI Alumni Association and the Class of 2007.
Gallery of Anteaters: 
Bronze Anteater statue in front of the Bren Events Center 
Anteater shirt design from Threadless sometimes seen on students at UCI. 
Thanks 
Davis Wiki!
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2010-09-03 18:40:15 More things at UCI are named Anteater and Zot than the Smurfs. —Mateo
