Check out our state symbols! The symbols are the things which are special to Michigan. Here are some examples.
The robin is our state bird. In 1931 Michigan designated the robin as the state bird. Legislators called the robin "the best known and best loved of all the birds in the State of Michigan."
The colorful brook trout is our state fish. Found throughout the state, the brook trout was adopted as the state fish in1988.
The painted turtle was designated the official state reptile of Michigan in 1995.
Over 350 million years age the Northern Lower peninsula of Michigan was a coral reef. The Petoskey stone is actually a fossilized coral.
The mastodons disappeared from Michigan over 10,000 years ago. An almost complete mastodon skeleton was discovered near Owosso, Michigan
State mammal: White-Tale Deer
An animal of incredible beauty and power, white-tailed deer are able to run up to 40 miles per hour, jump 9 foot fences, and swim 13 miles per hour. The white underside of its tail is waved when running and flashed as a warning when danger is sensed. Both native Americans and settlers relied on the white-tailed deer for buckskin and food.
Michigan designated the apple blossom as official state flower in 1897.
The dwarf lake iris is the official state wildflower.This rare wildflower is found only on the coastlines of northern Lake Michigan and northern and eastern Lake Huron. It is also found in a small area along the southern shore of Lake Superior.
State tree: White Pine From 1870-the early 1900's Michigan led the Nation in lumber production. the White Pine is a symbol of one of Michigan's greatest industries.
Chlorastrolite was named the “official state gem” of Michigan in 1972. Chlorastrolite pebbles can be found on rocky beaches in Northern Michigan’s “copper country,” particularly on Isle Royale.
Kalkaska soil is found in both the Upper and Lower peninsula. This soil was formed in sandy deposits left by the glaciers that once covered Michigan.