Do you know New York's official state symbols?
Do you know New York'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 New York.
Clue: New York state fish
Clue (freshwater): One of the more popular fish claimed as the aquatic representative of several states, this species requires cool, clean water to thrive. Hook one in many of the Empire State's streams, lakes, and brooks.
Clue (saltwater): Populations of this fish along the coast are managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The species can reach five feet long and 77 pounds.
Answer: New York state fish
Answers: Brook trout (freshwater), striped bass (saltwater)
Clue: New York state mammal
New York's state mammal is the largest North American rodent: It can be up to 65 pounds and 4 feet long. It spends most of its life in the water, with special adaptations for swimming including a flat tail, webbed hind feet, and ears and nose that can close underwater.
Answer: New York state mammal
- State mammal: Beaver
Clue: New York state song
Neither Frank Sinatra nor Jay-Z lay claim to the Empire State’s official song—that distinction goes to Steve Karmen. The title of his song is also the official state slogan, although, in the slogan, the state name is abbreviated with initials.
Answer: New York state song
- Answer: "I Love New York"
Clue: New York state insect
This species, which has four black spots on each wing with one additional spot in between, is native to both the U.S. and southern Canada. Though it used to be common across its range, its population has notably declined, with recent collections of the insect only occurring in the Midwest and west coast.
Answer: New York state insect
- State insect: Nine-spotted ladybug (Coccinella novemnotata)
Clue: New York state tree
If you’ve ever been to one of New York City’s iconic parks, you’ve seen the leaf of that state’s tree on signs: it marks the symbol of the city’s parks department. And, if you visited in autumn, you would have seen the tree itself dominating the foliage with its vibrant red color.
Answer: New York state tree
Answer: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
Clue: New York state bird
This pretty bird is easily spotted by its colorful plumage, as well as for the fact that it is one of the first species to return north in the spring. The oldest-recorded bird of this species was more than 10 years old.
Answer: New York state bird
Answer: Eastern bluebird
Clue: New York state flower
While schoolchildren in New York chose this to be the state flower back in 1890, it was not made official until 1955. One of the most recognizable flowers anywhere, it is also the national flower. With a rich aroma and familiar appearance, this flower has been prominent in fiction and history alike.
Answer: New York state flower
Answer: Rose
