Despite his busy schedule running numerous companies, Elon Musk still finds time to care for and enjoy the company of his pets, primarily dogs. Over the years, Musk has shared glimpses of his life with pets, revealing some interesting and unique additions to his animal family.
Musk’s Hedgehog “Shrub”
In a recent reveal, Elon Musk introduced his pet hedgehog to the public. When asked about the pet, Musk shared that the hedgehog, named Shrub, is female and enjoys running on wheels. The pet’s introduction even led to a surprising surge in the cryptocurrency named Shrub, with its value increasing nearly 34 times—from $0.0033 to $0.12 USD. Musk’s casual sharing of his pets has had unexpected impacts, showcasing how even his personal life can affect markets.
Musk’s Yorkshire Terrier “Hobbes”
Musk has often mentioned another beloved pet, a Yorkshire Terrier named Hobbes. In 2023, he described Hobbes as having a “hobby” of biting people’s legs. Musk explained that Hobbes was a feisty dog, reflecting the personality traits of the 17th-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, whose writings describe life as “lonely, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Musk’s stories about Hobbes often highlight the dog’s playful but tough nature, with Musk warning others about Hobbes’ tendency to nip at ankles.
The Dogecoin Connection: Floki the Shiba Inu
Arguably Musk’s most famous pet is Floki, a Shiba Inu dog. In 2021, Musk first mentioned Floki on Twitter, which led to a massive surge in the value of Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency featuring a Shiba Inu as its mascot. The popularity of Floki skyrocketed when Musk shared a photo of the dog in early 2023, humorously appointing Floki as the “New CEO of Twitter.” This post resulted in Dogecoin’s market value reaching a staggering $10 billion.
Other Pets: Gatsby, Marvin, and Schrödinger
In addition to Shrub, Hobbes, and Floki, Musk has also mentioned several other pets over the years. In 2018, he introduced Gatsby, a large dog, and Marvin the Martian, a small dog. He also shared that he owned a cat named Schrödinger. In 2021, Musk was asked if Marvin and Floki got along, and he humorously responded that “the two are not friends yet,” showing the playful side of his pet dynamics.
Musk’s Busy Life and Family
While Musk is known for his entrepreneurial endeavors, including running companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X, he is equally recognized for his large family. He has 11 children, alongside his various pets, showing that even amidst his hectic professional life, Musk values the importance of family—both human and animal.
