What animal is the Buc-ee's mascot?
A beaver. The mascot, also called Buc-ee, is a cartoon beaver with big front teeth and a red baseball cap. It appears on the store signs, the famous highway billboards and most of the merchandise.
Why a beaver?
Founder Arch Aplin III's childhood nickname was "Beaver." He combined it with the name of his Labrador retriever, Buck, and was also inspired by Bucky the Beaver, a 1950s toothpaste mascot. That became "Buc-ee's" and its beaver logo (Buc-ee's history).
Is Buc-ee a beaver or a chipmunk?
A beaver. The buck teeth and flat tail give it away, even though the cartoon style sometimes gets mistaken for a chipmunk.
The beaver statues
Many travel centers have a large Buc-ee statue outside or inside the store. Taking a picture with it is a road-trip tradition, and the statue is one of the most photographed spots at a stop.
The Buc-ee's logo and trademark
The beaver-in-a-red-cap logo is a registered trademark, and Buc-ee's is known for enforcing it, including taking legal action against other businesses that used similar beaver logos. This guide is independent and not affiliated with Buc-ee's (disclaimer).
Beaver Nuggets and other beaver-branded snacks
The mascot shows up on the chain's best-known snack, Beaver Nuggets, and across the snack aisle.
Sources
Store facts and opening dates come from the reports below. Dates for stores that are not open yet can change.