What is your state animal? See the official list featuring all 50 states
Each state in the U.S. has its own unique identity, whether it is the food, culture or environment. Here are the animals that represent each of the 50 states.
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As temperatures drop in North America, some animals are better adapted to deal with the cold than others.
As we approach the 250th birthday of our great nation, it is a good time to examine the details that make our country so unique among the world’s nations.
Each state in the United States has its own unique identity, whether it is the food, culture or environment. Each location has qualities that make it stand out from the other 50 states in the country.
An animal represents each of the 50 states to celebrate the unique landscapes, histories and environments, and to promote the conservation of these native species across various regions.
With July 4 approaching, marking the 250th birthday of this great country, here's a look at each state’s designated animal, according to data provided by AZ Animals.
Alabama
Starting off with Alabama, represented by the black bear, which students chose because of its size and rarity in 2006.
FILE: Black bear in Yellowstone. (NPS / FOX Weather)
Black bears are omnivores and eat both plants and animals.
Alaska
The great state of Alaska, known for its chilly climate and natural beauty during the warm seasons as well, is represented by the moose.
FILE - A photo of a moose. (Sterling, MA Fire Department / Facebook)
These creatures have long been a symbol of the state and grow rapidly from birth; a calf can outrun a human by the time it is five days old.
Alaska was purchased by Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million.
Arizona
The ringtail has been the state animal of Arizona since 1986, and it is an omnivorous creature that is a skilled hunter.
A wild Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is spotted in a weak and exhausted semi-conscious state in the bushes of parthenium plants at Tehatta, West Bengal, India on 14/01/2023. Asian Palm Civet is a Nocturnal carnivore species, also known as the common palm civet, toddy cat, and musang found in South and Southeast Asia, it produces a buttery, honey-like secretion that is scraped off its perineal glands. This Civet is threatened by poaching and illegal wildlife trade; buyers use it for the increased production of the world's most expensive coffee 'kopi luwak' (civet coffee). (Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto / Getty Images)
They eat rodents, rabbits, insects, birds, frogs, snakes, eggs and much more.
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Arkansas
The white-tailed deer is one of the most common deer species in North America, and is Arkansas' state animal.
A female deer, or doe, in sunset light. (Dennis Fast / VWPics / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
They get their name from the iconic and broad white tail.
California
The iconic California Grizzly bear was chosen as the state’s symbol in 1953 and was once very common, but is sadly extinct.
A grizzly bear is seen in Glacier National Park, Montana. (DeAgostini / Getty Images)
These creatures lived up to 30 years in the wild.
Colorado
Colorado is home to a plethora of natural beauty year-round.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - JULY 30 : A group of Bighorn Sheep on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Biologists, wildlife officers and volunteers are headed to multiple locations up Pikes Peak to conduct a visual accounting of the Bighorn Sheep Herd from roadside and on foot. The first recorded survey of Bighorn Sheep on Pikes Peak was in 1949 when 205 were counted. Annual counts have been conducted by CPW since 1988. The official count in 2024 was 82. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post / Getty Images)
The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep has been a symbol of the state since 1961 and can only be found in the Rocky Mountains.
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Connecticut
It might surprise most people that the great state of Connecticut, one of the original 13 colonies, is represented by the sperm whale.
MAURITIUS ISLAND - INDIAN OCEAN - NOVEMBER 10 : A sperm whale and two young ones swimming under the surface, on November 10, 2011 in Mauritius Island, Indian Ocean. The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is an odontocete, a toothed cetacean. It frequents all the oceans and a majority of the world's seas. Only males venture into the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic. The male can reach more than 18 metres in length. He's the greatest carnivore in the world. Sperm whales can live up to 70 years. They feed on squid and hunt in pits between 300 and 800 metres but sometimes between 1000 and 2000 metres. Their dives can last more than an hour. The head of the sperm whale represents about one third of the body. On the other hand, their eyes are very small. (Alexis Rosenfeld / Getty Images)
Fun fact: this whale has the largest brain of any mammal in the world.
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Delaware
The grey fox was designated the state animal of Delaware in 2010 to help preserve creatures like this stunning animal.
Palm Desert, CA - September 13: Mozart, a three-legged gray fox without spleen, is among about 50 animals evacuated from the Big Bear Zoo due to smoke from the Bridge Fire to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo, which is being threatened by the Line fire, has evacuated its animals to the Living Desert in Palm Desert. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images)
The grey fox has a lifespan of eight to 10 years, and is one of only two canines that can climb trees.
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Florida
The iconic Florida Panther, an endangered species, was chosen as the state’s representation in a statewide student vote in 1982.
Walking through palmetto trees in Charlotte County, Florida. (Getty Images)
These creatures are born with blue eyes, which helps them hide in the state’s undergrowth.
Georgia
Georgia is home to a wide variety of animals; the white-tailed deer has been the state animal since 2015, and it also has a state marine mammal, the North Atlantic right whale.
Sohutern right whale whale tail fluke, Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia,Argentina (Getty Images)
The white-tailed deer eats nuts, acorns, fruits and even twigs.
Hawaii
The great state of Hawaii is a popular tourist destination with beautiful nature and stunning beaches.
Hawaii is represented by the Hawaiian monk seal, one of the world’s most endangered seal species.
Hawaiian monk seals, Neomonachus schauinslandi, two in surf, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii, USA. (Auscape/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
According to NOAA, its population has been declining for about six decades, but has shown signs of improvement and is now only about a third of its former size.
Idaho
The state of Idaho is home to an unusual animal. The Appaloosa horse was chosen as the state’s official animal in 1975.
This horse has a colorful, unique coat pattern and is known for its exceptional speed on the racetrack.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 03: Renegade VI the Appaloosa mascot of the Florida State Seminoles prior to a game against the LSU Tigers at Camping World Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) (Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
These horses can weigh up to 1,250 pounds, which is almost as much as a giraffe.
Illinois
The white-tailed deer once again makes the list, as it was chosen as the state animal in 1980 after Illinois students voted for it in a poll.
The white-tailed deer is a state animal for several other states, as it is commonly found throughout North America.
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Indiana
The Northern Cardinal has been the state animal since 1933 and is known as the perfect habitat for the beautiful creatures.
A Northern Cardinal perches on the branches, showcasing its bright red plumage against the subdued winter background. This migratory bird creates a notable contrast with the snowy surroundings as it moves through the foliage in search of food. Montreal (Canada), January 18, 2026. Un Cardinal rouge se perche sur les branches, mettant en valeur son plumage rouge vif contre le fond d hiver attenue. Cet oiseau migrateur cree un contraste notable avec l environnement enneige alors qu il se deplace a travers le feuillage a la recherche de nourriture. Montreal (Canada), le 18 janvier 2026. (by David Himbert / Hans Lucas / AFP / Getty Images)
These birds normally eat insects, spiders, seeds, fruits and berries.
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Iowa
An unexpectedly beautiful bird called an Eastern goldfinch was chosen as the state animal of Iowa in 1933.
NANCHANG, CHINA - JUNE 23: A goldfinch bird frolics in a blooming sunflower field at Malanwei Wetland Park on June 23, 2024 in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province of China. (VCG/VCG / Getty Images)
These creatures eat insects and have a stunning yellow color pattern, along with black and white wings.
Kansas
The mighty American bison was chosen as the state animal of Kansas in 1955 and once had a population in the millions.
A herd of bison stops traffic along the highway in Hayden Valley on September 23, 2022, near Canyon Village, Wyoming. (George Rose / Getty Images)
Bison are the largest mammals in North America and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand six feet tall.
These animals eat grass and sedges.
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Kentucky
The gray squirrel was chosen as the state animal by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1968.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA - DECEMBER 11: A gray squirrel eats peanuts on a railing at the Wawona Hotel on December 11, 2021, in Yosemite National Park, California. Even though it's still technically autumn, the transition to a more winter-like pattern of rain and snow has placed a hold on California's exceptional and extreme drought. (George Rose / Getty Images)
An interesting fact about squirrels is that male squirrels will impress females by racing each other up and down trees to show off how strong and fast they are.
Louisiana
The dangerously cute black bear has been the designated state animal of Louisiana since 1992.
These large animals have short non-retractable claws that allow them to climb trees more easily.
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - 2025/09/04: An American black bear (Ursus americanus) is walking through the meadow at Cameron Cove in Barnard Harbor, Princess Royal Island, Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket / Getty Images)
Black bears are found in forests throughout Canada, Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, the upper Midwest, parts of the southern U.S., the Appalachian Mountains, and down into Mexico.
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Maine
The moose is another large creature chosen to represent a state, as Maine made it the official state animal in 1979.
A small moose walks near the Denali Bus Depot on May 25, 2019. (NPS Photo / Emily Mesner / FOX Weather)
Moose eat 20 different kinds of plants during the summer.
Maryland
The Baltimore oriole is Maryland’s state bird, as the colorful bird is also known for the Major League Baseball team.
Baltimore Orioles eat insects, fruit and nectar, but the proportion of their diet depends on the season.
LIDO BEACH, NEW YORK - MAY 18: A Baltimore Oriole populates the Lido Beach Passive Nature Area on May 18, 2026 in Lido Beach, New York. The Long Island region provides a welcome habitat for a host of wildlife. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles eat a wide variety of insects, including beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths and flies.
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Massachusetts
The iconic Boston Terrier, indigenous to New England and the first breed developed in America, is the Massachusetts state animal.
NEW YORK, US - FEBRUARY 17: Nearly 100 Boston Terriers and their owners met up at Washington Square Park's dog run to celebrate National Boston Terrier Day in NYC, United States on February 17, 2024 . (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu / Getty Images)
The dog was given the nickname the American Gentleman because its colors represent a tuxedo.
This cute creature is a staple as the state animal.
Michigan
Once again, the white-tailed deer cracks the list as Michigan's state animal, chosen by a group of fourth grade students in 1997.
A juvenile white-tailed deer in Florida.
Minnesota
The eastern timber wolf is a stunning representation of Minnesota as the official state animal.
Wolf, Snow, wintertime, Northern Ontario, Canada. (Education Images/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Males weigh between 65 and 175 pounds, while females weigh between 50 and 120 pounds.
Mississippi
The very popular white-tailed deer was chosen as Mississippi's state animal, joining a growing number of states that have made the same decision.
White-tailed deer will usually choose the most nutritious plants and plant parts to eat and are widely known to utilize agricultural fields such as corn, soybeans, cotton and alfalfa.
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Missouri
The cute Missouri mule was chosen as the state animal, as these strong creatures are known to outperform horses in certain types of terrain.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, A Grand Canyon mule shows off its tongue. It is one of approximately 150 mules in the herd used to take visitors and supplies in and out of the Canyon. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Mules are herbivores, and their diet consists of grass, grain and shrubs.
Montana
The powerful and dangerous grizzly bear is known for its raw strength and speed, and is Montana's state animal.
Grizzlies are known to travel up to 20 miles a day during the time of pre-winter foraging.
FILE: A large grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park along the East Entrance Road.As the grizzly population recovers the bears are expanding back into their old habitat outside the park. Yellowstone Grizzlies may be delisted from the endangered species list in 2005. (Photo by William Campbell/Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Adult males can weigh anywhere between 400 and 600 pounds.
Nebraska
Once again, the popular white-tailed deer represents another state in our great nation, as it was chosen by Nebraska in 1981.
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Nevada
Deep in the harsh, dry environment throughout the state of Nevada resides the Desert Bighorn Sheep, which was chosen as the state’s official animal in 1973.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - JULY 30 : A group of Bighorn Sheep on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Biologists, wildlife officers and volunteers are headed to multiple locations up Pikes Peak to conduct a visual accounting of the Bighorn Sheep Herd from roadside and on foot. The first recorded survey of Bighorn Sheep on Pikes Peak was in 1949 when 205 were counted. Annual counts have been conducted by CPW since 1988. The official count in 2024 was 82. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post / Getty Images)
These sheep can survive without water for three days when temperatures exceed 100 degrees.
New Hampshire
Known for its abundance, the white-tailed deer is the official state animal of New Hampshire.
The animal once again cracks the list, with its population estimated at around 30 million across the Continental U.S.
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New Jersey
Horses have been the state animal of New Jersey since 1977 due to their importance in agriculture and transportation.
Wild horses roam the land. (VW Pics / Getty Images)
Horses have been deeply woven into the state’s history since the 17th century.
New Mexico
The black bear became the official state animal of New Mexico in 1963.
FILE: Black Bear. (Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks / FOX Weather)
Black bears are as tall as five to seven feet when standing upright, can weigh as much as 600 pounds and live as long as 25 years.
New York
The beaver became the state animal of New York in 1975 as the cute creature represents one of the original 13 colonies.
A beaver makes it's way to the water after a licensed release of beavers at Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve, after the Government approved licences for wild releases of beavers, whose dams, canals and ponds boost wildlife and protect against floods and droughts. Picture date: Wednesday March 5, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images) (Andrew Matthews/PA Images / Getty Images)
Beavers are the largest North American rodents and have stocky bodies, a yellow-brown coat and a broad, flat, scaly tail.
These creatures have webbed rear feet and digitigrade front paws, and their stocky bodies allow them to conserve heat well.
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North Carolina
The eastern gray squirrel has been the official state animal of North Carolina since 1969.
These creatures are normally herbivores that collect and store food to help get themselves through the winter.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 27: An Eastern Gray Squirrel looks for food following a snow storm, outside the US Capitol, on January 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) (Al Drago)
A single gray squirrel can bury up to 10,000 nuts in a single season.
North Dakota
The beautifully colored Western Meadowlark has been the official state animal of North Dakota since 1947.
A Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta, foraging in the grass. Bosque del Apache National WIldlife Refuge in New Mexico. (Jon G. Fuller / VWPics/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
The bird stands out with its yellow, white and black color patterns.
Ohio
Once again, the beloved white-tailed deer makes the list, as it has been the official state animal of Ohio since 1988.
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Oklahoma
The American bison became Oklahoma's state animal in 1972, and despite its large, sluggish nature, it can run up to 35 mph.
PAWHUSKA, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 03: Over 2,000 bison, also known as American buffalo, roam in the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County on June 03, 2026 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Once numbering in the tens of millions across North America before nearing extinction in the late 19th century, bison remain culturally significant to many Indigenous nations, including the Osage Nation. (Heather Diehl / Getty Images)
In the late 19th century, the population of this species dropped to fewer than 1,000 animals due to overhunting and habitat loss.
Oregon
For the second time, the beaver makes the list as another state representation.
Filbert the beaver chews through a tree limb in his habitat in the Great Northwest. (Courtesy of Oregon Zoo / photo by Ali Azevedo)
Known as the Beaver State, this creature has represented Oregon since 1969.
These mammals can stay underwater for six to eight minutes at a time.
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Pennsylvania
It might not be surprising to see the white-tailed deer once again on the list, but because of its abundance and popularity, it was chosen as Pennsylvania's state animal in 1959.
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Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Red is a type of chicken breed that originated in New England.
A Rhode Island Red chicken with a flock of others free of their coop roaming through a field in Mansfield, Connecticut in May of 2023. (Mark Mirko/Connecticut Public / Getty Images)
This breed has a rectangular, relatively long body and a dark red color.
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South Carolina
Once again, the white-tailed deer is the official state animal of another location in our great nation, embodying the pride of South Carolina since 1972.
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South Dakota
The coyote has been the official state animal of South Dakota since 1949 and continues to demonstrate its persistence in the face of constant human development across the areas where these animals live.
The parasite typically impacts coyotes, foxes and other canid species but can cause severe disease if passed to pets or humans. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Tennessee
The raccoon became the state animal of Tennessee in 1971.
23 June 2024, Brandenburg, Sieversdorf: Two small raccoon siblings (Procyon lotor) explore things stored under a carport on a private property. When two pairs of raccoons were released in northern Hesse around 90 years ago, no one expected that the animals would spread enormously throughout Germany. According to experts, they are now a threat to the diversity of native species. At night, garbage can lids rattle, the next morning the garbage is all around. In their search for food, raccoons are not exactly considerate and picky, but they are all the more skillful and adaptable. Given the massive spread of the animals in Germany, this is now a problem. ((Photo by Patrick Pleul / Getty Images)
These creatures can often be found rummaging through trash cans outside restaurants or rural neighborhoods in the evenings, as raccoons are nocturnal and have excellent night vision.
Texas
The Iconic Texas Longhorn represents the great state of Texas, and is also well known as the symbol of the University of Texas football team.
Tourists look on as Cowhands lead a herd of Texas Longhorn cattle during the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive through East Exchange Avenue at the Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 28, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) (Paul ELLIS / AFP / Getty Images)
This animal came to be known as the state animal to represent the state during the large cattle drives of the late 19th century and was designated as the state animal in 1995.
Utah
The official state animal of Utah since 1971 is the stunning and large Rocky Mountain elk.
BANFF, CANADA MAY 22: An elk spotted on the outskirts of Banff, Alberta, Canada on May 22, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto / Getty Images)
Interestingly, the males coat themselves in their own urine to create a perfume and attract mates.
Vermont
The Morgan horse, named after President Monroe’s horse, Figure, is the official state animal of Vermont.
General views of the mountains and tourist areas of the Dolomites on July 13, 2025 in Dolomites, Italy. The Dolomites were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009 due to their exceptional beauty and unique geological and geomorphological features. This recognition highlights the Dolomites' stunning landscapes, characterized by dramatic peaks, vertical walls, and deep valleys, as well as their scientific significance. (Getty Images)
These horses are known for their beautiful coat color and stunning features.
Virginia
A prominent symbol of colonial America, the American foxhound is the official state animal of Virginia, reflecting the long history of the original 13 colonies.
Looking out over the valley below, hounds from the Lauderdale Hunt, led by MFH Claire Bellamy. While hunting on Saturday 08 January 2022, in the Moorfoot Hills in Leithen Water valley outside Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders. Since the Wild Mammals Protection (Scotland) Act (2002). Ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of the legislation, and about the use of packs of dogs to flush foxes, led the Scottish Government to appoint Lord Bonomy to undertake a review of the operation of the legislation. (Rob Gray/NurPhoto / Getty Images)
President George Washington first brought the breed to Virginia to work as hunting dogs.
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Washington
The unlikely Olympic marmot is the only marmot species found in Washington and is the state's official animal.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2021/09/07: An Olympic marmot (Marmota olympus) on Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninsula in the Olympic National Park in Washington State, USA. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket / Getty Images)
These creatures live at elevations above 4,000 feet.
West Virginia
Once again, the black bear makes the list as the official state animal of West Virginia.
These powerful creatures can run at speeds of 25 to 30 mph.
FILE: Black bear. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources / FOX Weather)
These large and deadly creatures have seen a steady growth in their population as of late.
Wisconsin
The American badger has been the state animal of Wisconsin since 1957 and is also well known for representing the University of Wisconsin football team.
UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: American badger (Taxidea taxus), Mustelidae. (DeAgostini / Getty Images)
Wyoming
Once again, and lastly, the American Buffalo was chosen as the state animal in 1985, and they are extremely dangerous if you get too close, which is never allowed.
Bison have very bad eyesight, but an exceptionally good sense of smell.
Bison grazing in the early morning hours at Yellowstone National Park.
Each of the 50 states in our great nation is represented by an animal which represents the root culture and history of what makes the United States so diverse and special.