Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, wasn’t just known for his groundbreaking music and iconic dance moves—he was also famous for his love of animals. And not just typical pets like dogs or cats. His collection of pets over the years grew into a veritable menagerie of exotic and sometimes bizarre creatures that rivaled those of other eccentric celebrities like Elvis Presley and Hugh Hefner.

Jackson’s fascination with animals began early. As a child, his first solo hit, “Ben”, was a song dedicated to a pet rat—a surprisingly tender ballad for a film about a boy who befriends a rat trained to kill. That rat, named Ben, became one of Michael’s first and most unusual animal companions.

Among his most legendary pets was Bubbles the chimpanzee, whom Jackson rescued from a research facility in 1985. Bubbles lived like a member of the family—sleeping in a crib, using Michael’s bathroom, and even learning how to moonwalk. He traveled the world with Jackson and became a celebrity in his own right. Today, Bubbles lives at a sanctuary in Florida, far from the limelight he once knew.

But Bubbles wasn’t Jackson’s only primate. He owned two other chimpanzees—one of whom, Max, was infamous for using the walls of Jackson’s mansion as his personal bathroom. Jackson also had two orangutans, although less is known about them.

Jackson’s private zoo at Neverland Ranch was packed with exotic creatures. One of the most unique was Gypsy, a 5,000-pound Asian elephant gifted to him by actress Elizabeth Taylor as a thank-you for hosting her wedding at Neverland. The whereabouts of Gypsy remain unknown.

He also had two Bengal tigers, named Thriller and Sabu, who were later sent to the Shambala Preserve in California. Thriller died of lung cancer in 2012, while Sabu’s fate is less publicized. Four giraffes—Rambo, Princess, Jabbar Jr., and Annie Sue—also lived on the ranch, eventually relocated to a wildlife preserve in Arizona. Sadly, two of them died under controversial circumstances in 2009.

Michael had a soft spot for reptiles as well. He kept snakes, crocodiles, and even an 18-foot albino python named Madonna, who now lives in Oklahoma. Another snake, a boa constrictor named Mussels, has since vanished from public records. Two alligators were also part of his collection and were relocated to a sanctuary after Jackson’s death.

Even animals that most people fear didn’t faze him. In 2002, Jackson made headlines when he appeared in court suffering from a spider bite, which he said came from a wild tarantula on his property—not one of his own. “I love tarantulas,” he told MTV, “but not the little kind.”

His pet collection extended to the skies as well. Jackson owned a variety of exotic birds, including his favorite, a parrot named Ricky, who lived in his mansion rather than the aviary. After Jackson’s death, Ricky was sent to a wildlife preserve in Arizona. He also had 13 Chilean flamingos, now cared for by the Cape May County Zoo in New Jersey.

Not all of Jackson’s animals were exotic. His ranch included typical livestock such as llamas, alpacas, zebras, and a ram named Mr. Tibbs. And of course, he had dogs, including his beloved bulldog Large, often photographed by his side. Other canine companions included Sasha, Shadow, Spanky, and Black Girl.

Despite the eccentricity of his animal kingdom, Michael Jackson’s passion for animals was deeply sincere. Many of these pets were rescued or gifted, and he treated them with great care and affection. He even referred to Bubbles as his “son” on numerous occasions.

Michael Jackson’s legacy in music is undeniable, but his love for animals adds another layer to the complex persona behind the legend. His private zoo may have raised eyebrows, but it also revealed a man deeply fascinated by the natural world—and willing to go to great lengths to surround himself with it.