Do you know Minnesota's official state symbols?
Do you know Minnesota's official state symbols?
Each state in America boasts its own culture, history, and natural beauty. To represent such diversity, people from these states have chosen their own set of symbols and customs. Specific flags, songs, mottos, flowers, and even fruits commemorate the uniqueness of individual states. Some of these symbols border on the bizarre: Texas, for example, has made the Dutch oven its official state cooking pot. Other symbols are more universal, like state birds.
Many people remember learning about their states' history back in elementary school. But can you still remember your state bird? How about your state flower? To test your state knowledge, Stacker compiled a list of symbols in Minnesota.
Clue: Minnesota state fish
Clue: Thin, and usually gold and olive, this freshwater fish is one of the most popular among anglers. Its excellent night vision makes it a skilled hunter in dark water.
Answer: Minnesota state fish
Answer: Walleye
Clue: Minnesota state mammal
Minnesota has no official mammal, but here’s one option: This wetland resident is the only mammal other than beavers that builds a home in the water. Its predators when on land include foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and humans that trap it for its fur.
Answer: Minnesota state mammal
- State mammal: None
- Proposed: Muskrat
Clue: Minnesota state song
Minnesota’s state song was written over the course of two years. University of Minnesota students Arthur E. Upson and Truman E. Rickard wrote the first part in 1904. A year later in 1905, a second verse was added.
Answer: Minnesota state song
- Answer: "Hail! Minnesota"
Clue: Minnesota state insect
During courtship, the male of this species chases down and tackles the female, remaining attached to her for up to an hour while mating. Females will later lay eggs on milkweed leaves, which provide important protection from predators.
Answer: Minnesota state insect
- State insect: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Clue: Minnesota state tree
Like Michigan, Minnesota honors a conifer as its state tree; Minnesota’s tree has needles in bundles of two. Commonly used for Christmas decorations when harvested early, it can live for up to 400 years and is also popular as a material for structural timber, poles, and other industrial materials because its wood is easily altered by preservatives.
Answer: Minnesota state tree
Answer: Red pine (Pinus resinosa)
Clue: Minnesota state bird
Minnesota's many beautiful lakes are home to thousands of these distinctive birds, making them the obvious choice as the official state bird. This species is happiest in the water, only going to shore to nest.
Answer: Minnesota state bird
Answer: Common loon
Clue: Minnesota state flower
Since 1925, this state flower has been considered so rare, endangered, and precious that it is protected by state law. Even before its designation as the official state flower, it was already considered to have that status. It is brightly colored and small, developing so slow that it could take up to 16 years to produce its first flower.
