I've seen it referred to as the official and the unofficial mascot.
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Nickname Origination
Given UC San Diego’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the nickname of the Tritons became an appropriate one in 1964. The Triton is described as the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite who is a demigod of the sea with lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior.
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UCSD's unofficial school mascot is the Triton. According to Greek mythology, a Triton is a merman, and the demigod of the sea. He is represented as human down to his waist, with the tail of a fish, and equipped with a "trident"-- a three-pronged spear.
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