Some college mascots are all about aggression, strutting cockily around the field and picking fights with other mascots. Not Peter the Anteater. This big purple guy likes to spread the love, whether it's flashing his toothy smile and shaking his tail, doing the "Rip 'Em Eaters" hand sign, or teaming up with the CIA (Completely Insane Anteaters) to send thousands of UC Irvine faithful into a frenzy. And they've had plenty to cheer about lately: The Anteaters have notched three consecutive 20-win basketball seasons for the first time in school history. Recently, Peter shot the breeze with Playboy.com about how he keeps his cool in the midst of tail-grabbing kids, silly-string-spraying rivals and hot California coeds.

Playboy.com: That's quite a tail you have.
Peter: The tail's a good thing, though sometimes it gets in the way and hits people when I'm walking around. The nose is what you have to watch out for. It's very hard, and if you're not paying attention, it can definitely do some damage.

PB: What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you at a game?
Peter: At the end of one of our basketball games, I went out to give the players high fives and shake hands, and all the players walked right past me. I got right in the way -- I'm flailing my arms all over the place -- and they just ignored me.

PB: Do you interact with fans during the game?
Peter: Kids love Peter -- if there are any kids around, they come running when they see me. They start grabbing my tail, and they'll jump all over me.

PB: What about the hot Cali coeds?
Peter: The girls get really excited. They always want to take pictures with me. I think they think I'm pretty cute.

PB: How do you let the ladies know you're interested?
Peter: I'll flash a smile, maybe lift up my sunglasses to take a look -- that's about it. I don't want to embarrass any of the girls.

PB: So you never slip anyone that long, sticky anteater tongue?
Peter: I keep my tongue inside my mouth at all times.

PB: With a school cry like "Rip 'Em Eaters!" do you get violent on the court?
Peter: Not really, though I did get into a fight with the Fantom from UC Santa Barbara. We got into a little pushing match, and he came back at me with silly string. He's my main rival. He's just this guy with big boxing gloves -- there's no costume, no tricks. He just walks around. [Laughs] It's not much to watch.

PB: You kinda look like Barney. Could you take him in a fight?
Peter: For sure. Barney's pretty soft and cuddly, and Peter doesn't have as much fluff. All I'd have to do is grab his tail, smack him a few times with my nose, and it'd be over.