Meet Maryland’s Unofficial Mascots

Testudo reigns as the University of Maryland’s ultimate mascot—that’s undisputed. But across campus, other animals represent their units in a more intimate, informal capacity.

From sniffing out treats hidden behind office doors to offering students stress-soothing snuggles to delighting visitors at Maryland Day, these creatures create enduring memories and bonds. (Yes, most of them are dogs; cat lovers seem to keep their felines at home.)

Here, Maryland Today takes a furry look at some of the beloved critters that serve as symbols of Maryland pride.

Rosie the Tarantula

Certainly the most popular eight-legged creature on campus, Rosie the Tarantula is the spider queen of the Department of Entomology. A Chilean rose tarantula, Rosie is actually the department’s second Rosie. (Like Lassie, Rosie is a title passed down from animal to animal.)

The first Rosie belonged to the late J. Lee Hellman, founding director of the Life Sciences cohort of College Park Scholars and a UMD alum. Hellman was an insect collector, and on Ag Day—the predecessor to Maryland Day—he’d invite visitors to hold his scorpions, walking sticks and spiders. Today, Michael Raupp, now professor emeritus of entomology, is Rosie II’s main caretaker.

Now in her teenage years, Rosie II “is so much fun and so rambunctious,” said Raupp. “Teenagers just want to have fun.” Chilean rose tarantulas are among the most docile of all spiders, making Rosie an ideal candidate to face excited and anxious toddlers and college students at Maryland Day. “After being held in a thousand hands, poor Rosie is just exhausted at the end of the day,” said Raupp. “Sometimes she’ll just snuggle into a nice warm hand, and I think she’s taking a nap in there.”

By Sala Levin