Deadliest Bugs From Each State
By Nick Hadji
2 years ago
1. Black Widow Spider - Georgia
Image source/ blogspotThe Black Widow Spider is small but deadly. It has gained a reputation for being one of the deadliest spiders if not THE deadliest spider in the world. It is 15 times more poisonous than a rattlesnake. And if it stings, it can cause nausea, breathing difficulties, and muscle pain.Original content sourced from Femanin.com2. Red Widow Spider - Florida
Image source/ myanimalsThe Red Widow Spider is of a similar name to the Black Widow and is also a deadly spider. If you are unlucky enough to feel its sting, the venom can cause permanent muscle spasms. The venom in the spider is a neurotoxin which is very poisonous and damaging.3. Africanized Honeybees - Texas
Image source/ wikiThe Africanized Honeybee is a cross between two different types of bees which together has made a killer bee. The bee is super-fast and very aggressive. It will respond faster than any other bee and react by stinging more. They can cause death even to humans.4. Brown Recluse Spiders - Kentucky
Image source/ allreferBrown Recluse Spiders are very hard to spot because they camouflage. They can be hiding in the woods. Their venom can make you ill as well as potentially scarring your skin. These spiders are not aggressors, they will harm you if you come into contact with it accidentally for example.5. Red Harvester Ants - Texas
Image source/ bugguideThese red ants are not like the usual ants you may be used to see seeing, and not the red ants which sting slightly. The Red Harvester Ants have a sting which is extremely strong and brutal. One thing is guaranteed if this bites you - it will seriously hurt you.6. Fire Ants - Houston
Image source/ thehibbitsFire ants are just about as friendly and inviting as they sound. They have huge hives, which collect against intruders and attack them or even kill them. And they will also sting humans too with their fiery sting. They are now being considered as the most invasive species within the USA.7. Striped Bark Scorpions - Kentucky
Image source/ dreamstimeStriped Bark Scorpions are an insect which have a sting that is so sharp and painful that it will last for days on end. They are very small, yet they can cause a lot of damage and pain, nonetheless. However, they have not been responsible for any known deaths.8. Paper wasps - North Carolina
Image source/ flickrPaper wasps have a sting that is guaranteed to hurt you, however in terms of health affects you will be absolutely fine. It looks very much like a wasp; however, its wasp will sting you more than the usual kind despite the fact that they are very similar in size.9. Sac Spiders - Michigan
Image source/ blogspotThe sac spider has apparently bitten more people than any other spider. When it bites, the pain will last around 10 hours, with swelling, bruising and perhaps even blistering. Thankfully, it does not usually have any serious ill or long-lasting effects.10. Moth Caterpillars - Louisiana
Image source/ scorpionsworldMoth Caterpillars are certain kind of caterpillar. One man described the pain of being bitten by a Mothb Caterpillar as horrendous. And when he was asked if it compared to a bee sting, he exclaimed that it was nothing like a bee sting and this was far more painful.11. Tarantulas - Texas
Image source/ bugworldThe tarantula is a very commonly known species. And it is very big in comparison to the usual insect. They are not a spider which will frequently bite, only when they really feel under threat. And when they do bite, you certainly know it by the red swelling and muscle spasms.12. Oriental Rat Fleas - Arizona
Image source/ PinterestThe Oriental Rat Flea is the rat flea that killed much of the population back in the Middle Ages through the plague, which has been eradicated in most countries. The rat fleas carried the disease and latched on to rats, which was then spread by the creatures.13. Wheel bugs - Florida
Image source/ tripsavvyWheel bugs usually only attack other insects, however if they are annoyed by a human, it will certainly try to bite you. And when they do bite, causes instant, and severe pain to whoever has been bitten. But it is not life threatening and should only cause temporary effects.14. Cockroaches - California
Image source/ blogspotCockroaches are fairly common, especially in cities or hot places. Most people have seen them, but occasionally they will bite humans. Apparently, they are particularly interested in feet and hands as well as fingernails and eyelashes. They are a huge pest in the US.15. Tarantula Hawks - Nevada
Image source/ bugguideThe Tarantula Hawks is one of the most poisonous insects in the world despite it looking fairly innocuous and harmless. And, if you are unfortunate enough to get bitten by a Tarantula Hawks, the pain is temporarily crippling but should not be long-lasting.16. German Yellowjackets - Ohio
Image source/ wordpressGerma yellow jackets are a kind of dangerous insect which were accidentally brought to Ohio from Germany. They will nest anywhere, in rooves, in trees... and they will sting anyone in their way - multiple times over. This is why they have successful survived in the USA.17. Botflies - New Hampshire
Image source/ allreferBotflies may just look like the normal house fly, but it is certainly not. Their larvae burrows into skin and they live as a parasite in humas. They do this by laying their eggs in mosquitos. When we are bitten by mosquitos these can be transferred to the skin, where they then hatch.18. Puss Caterpillars - New Jersey
Image source/ sciencephotolibraryPuss Caterpillars may look fluffy, but it is not harmless. It is actually considered the USA's most dangerous caterpillar. The hairs of the Puss Caterpillar can get in your skin and immediately cause a painful reaction, which can even be felt right down to your bones.19. Kissing Bugs - Texas
Image source/ ourbreathingplanetKissing Bugs may have a sweet name, but they are anything but and are very dangerous. Many of them carry a certain parasite which can be lethal, over 50% of the kissing Bugs in Texas have it. The parasite is the reason for Chagas disease which can even lead to heart failure.20. Browntail Moth Caterpillars - Maine
Image source/ bugidentiflyBrowntail Moth Caterpillars have poisonous hairs all over their little body which looks spiky in appearance. These hairs can spike into the skin and are toxic. They can irritate the skin and cause dermatitis, making the skin feel and appear red and irritated and itchy.21. Asian Giant Hornets - Illinois
Image source/ desertanilansThese Asian Giant Hornets are the biggest and most dangerous off all hornets in the world and they can cause serious problems to people's health. Its venom is so deadly that it can kill the red blood cells in a human's blood which can then make the kidneys fail.22. Ticks - Texas
Image source/ backwaterreptileblogTicks are so common but are undeniably one of the deadliest insects ever. They burrow into the skin, and they appear as a little hard covered lump on the skin. They carry numerous, debilitating and lifelong diseases and can cause diseases which may even lead to death.23. Mosquitoes - Arizona
Image source/ desertmonstertoursMosquitoes again are incredibly common but are very dangerous because of the diseases that they carry and spread to humans, for example, yellow fever, malaria, dengue. Over one million people die due to illnesses that they have contracted due to mosquitos - making them the deadliest of insects.24. Centipedes - Connecticut
Image source/ PinterestCentipedes are not the deadliest of insects, but they are still dangerous. They can nip you, a little bit like a bee sting. This can make the area red and swell up and cause pain for a short period of time. However, the long-term effects are non-existent usually and so after a brief time the sting will fade.25. Hobo Spiders - Utah
Image source/ wikiHobo spiders have also been nicknamed 'the aggressive house spider'. They look just like the usual spider but are much more dangerous when they sting. They can headaches which last for a long time as well as joint and bone pain. They can even cause hallucinations, weakness of the muscles and pain.26. Chiggers - Arkansas
Image source/ RedditChiggers are laid by trombiculid mites, you can't see them with the naked eye, but they feed off human skin cells. Then, they irritate your skin and leave it red and inflamed. Chiggers are in a way even more unnerving due to the fact that they cannot be seen.27. Asian Lady Beetles - Missouri
Image source/ YikesAsian Lady Beetles are considered a pest in the USA, particularly in Missouri because there are now so many of them and they can cause pain and irritation. They bite, which is often fairly harmless, however, just a little bit irritating. It can sometimes cause a reaction which can cause pink eye.28. Giant Resin Bees - Alabama
Image source/ getridofallthingsGiant Resin Bees only tend to sting you if you have provoked them, like other bees. However, they are much bigger than the average bee, hence the name. And, due to the size of Giant Resin Bees, their sting is much more powerful and dangerous than usual bees.29. Bald-Faced Hornets - Manhattan
Image source/ watchdogpestcontrolYou absolutely do not want to disturb the nest of a bald-faced hornet. They can sting your multiple times over and actually squirt its poisonous venom into your eyes which may temporarily impair your sight and could blind you for a brief period of time.30. Arizona Bark Scorpions - Arizona
Image source/ flickrThe Arizona Bark Scorpion is the most dangerous scorpion in the entire US and its sting is treacherous. The sting of the Arizona Bark Scorpions can create terrible pain and swelling, which can cause difficulty breathing and cause involuntary spasms in the muscles.31. The Masked Hunter: Alaska
Image Source / Only In Your StateThis type of spider is a new level of scary based on the fact that it doesn't just bite - it stabs you, with its beak. That's right - a beak! The spider kills its prey - other insects and not us, luckily - by stab-stab-stabbing. To make this thing worse, it's likely you could find them in your bed in this state if your bed has bed bugs - because bed bugs are a tasty meal for it. So wash your sheets. A LOT.32. The Kissing Bug: Colorado
Image Source / ColoradoanDespite its name, there's nothing romantic about this bug. The reason it's called the kissing bug is because it choose to bite people around their mouths. If that wasn't bad enough, it can also pass on a fatal disease by doing so.33. Giant Water Bug: Delaware
Image Source / Only In Your StateYou know that fear most people have about going into water with bare feet because they think something unknown will get their toes? Yeah. That's the giant water bug. These massive bugs are officially known as 'toe-biters', with large front legs they can use to grab their prey and bite it - which includes your tootsies.34. Centipedes: Hawaii
Image Source / Real HawaiiIf you're from other countries, you may have thought centipedes were quite harmless. But in Hawaii, they aren't very popular with the locals. One of the three types of centipedes in this state is actually venomous if it bites you. It can also bite you hard enough to latch on and be difficult to get off.35. Assassin Bug: Idaho
Image Source / Only In Your StateThe only applicable name for this particular bug, because it's deadly and clever. The assassin bug has a curved beak which is a weapon all in itself, because it uses it to stab (repeatedly) its prey to immobilise it and then suck out the life from it. Yeah.36. Blister Beetles: Indiana
Image Source / Orange BeanThe blister beetle from this state is a greater risk for horses, but can also cause contact dermatitis in people. The reason it's so bright is to tell people it's poisonous (how kind of it) like many poisonous creatures, and it can mostly be found in tall grass.37. Pelecinid Wasp: Iowa
Image Source / Go Look ExploreAny wasp is bad enough, but how about the most dangerous thing you can find in Iowa? The pelecinid wasp has a string which will be one of the most painful you could ever imagine. It's also a threat to plants, which it targets by laying eggs hidden in soil and then burrowing in to consume them.38. Yellow Jackets, Wasps: Kansas
Image Source / LawnStarterIn this state, there are plenty of flying insects you should be wary of, and one of these is yellow jackets and hornets. Their stings are particularly problematic if you're allergic - which means the worst kind could also be fatal. They can also get mighty aggressive.39. Monarch Butterfly: Maryland
Image Source / Loyola MagazineYou might never have expected a butterfly to be something to be wary of, but in Maryland, one of the deadliest things you can find is the Monarch Butterfly. Its striking orange colour works in the same way as poisonous creatures in that it's so bright as a warning to stay away - because it's toxic. Well, message received.40. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Minnesota
Image Source / Department of AgricultureThe name doesn't sound too great either, does it? In Minnesota, you need to be wary of the brown marmorated stink bug, and it's most often found on tall plants or even trees. It's more likely to be found in something with height rather than plants on the ground.41. The Eastern Velvet Ant: Mississippi
Image Source / Only In Your StateAlso known as the 'cow killer', and you can imagine why, this guy might look quite pretty with its striking red colour and vivid hairy body, but it's very dangerous. And a lot of that is on account that it's a wasp and not an ant, which carries a very painful sting.42. Black And Yellow Garden Spider: Montana
Image Source / Only In Your StateThe only saving grace about this one from Montana is the 'garden' in its name, meaning you can hope to be safe in your home. Even though it'll happily hang out in your garden, though, this black and yellow spider gets absolutely huge if it's the female.43. The Tarantula Hawk Wasp: New Mexico
Image Source / GoSanAngeloEverything about this name is terrifying - but it's actually not what it seems. You may be worrying about being attacked by a tarantula sized wasp in New Mexico, but it's named after the fact that it hunts spiders - including tarantulas. It has one of the most painful stings in the entire insect population.44. Bold Jumping Spider: North Dakota
Image Source / Only In Your StateWe all know that 'jumping' and 'spider' should never be in the same sentence if you want to sleep at night, but unfortunately for our nightmares, they exist. This fella may look actually sort of cute, but in North Dakota, these hairy spiders can jump a distance 50 times that of their body length.45. Fire Ants: Oklahoma
Image Source / The GuardianThe clue's in the name for this one, with fire ants having a very, very painful venomous sting that feels like fire. They attack by biting the skin to get a good hold on it and then releasing the sting. You can expect a painful bump or, in worst cases, a severe allergic reaction.46. Bald-Faced Hornet: Oregon
Image Source / OregonLiveThis insect gets its name from the markings on its face, shown in a bold white hue, and this hornet builds its nest in trees. But it would have to be a big tree, because their nests can actually be as large as a basketball. They defend their nests aggressively, which is why you probably shouldn't go near one.47. Spotted Lanternfly: Pennsylvania
Image Source / Natural History MuseumIt's always the way that the most pretty insects can be the most deadly, isn't it? The spotted lanternfly might look innocent, but it's very dangerous, and very widely found in Pennsylvania. Their population is so bad for the environment that people are encouraged to kill them by crushing them.48. Yellow Sac Spiders: Rhode Island
49. American Oil Beetle: Virginia
Image Source / WikipediaThis huge beetle is kitted out with a very problematic chemical that it can spray at you. It's likely to spray you if you make it angry, which is why it's best to leave it alone if you spot one in Virginia. The chemical is cantharidin, which can result in skin blistering.50. Mosquitos: Wisconsin
Image Source / A-Z AnimalsIt might be surprising to learn that mosquitoes are one of the most deadly insects in this state, because they're well known for being problematic around the world, but maybe not as dangerous as some other creepy-crawlies. But you're still at risk of being infected by a disease-carrying mosquito in Wisconsin.51. And Now... The State Animals Of The USA! First Up, Alabama: Northern Flicker
Image Source / RedditThe Northern Flicker is a medium-sized bird that's part of the woodpecker family, also known as the 'Yellowhammer' for its colorful coat. Alabama is also nicknamed 'The Yellowhammer State' in honour of this little bird, which has been the emblem of this particular state since the Civil War.52. Alaska: Bowhead Whale
Image Source / BBC Wildlife MagazineThere are many different types (and sizes) of whale out there, but for Alaska, it was the bowhead whale they wanted for their state animal. The bowhead whale has a huge, triangular-shaped skull (where its name 'bowhead' comes from) and this particular Arctic whale doesn't have a dorsal fin like other whales do.53. Arizona: Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake
Image Source / WikipediaThe state of Arizona, known for its dry deserts and the bucket list Grand Canyon, adopted the Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake as its state animal. And this is one to respect from a safe distance, because these vipers are venomous. If you get bitten by one, you can expect a lot of pain and discomfort!54. Arkansas: Northern Mockingbird
Image Source / WikipediaAnother state to take another bird as is state animal, Arkansas adopted the Northern Mockingbird as its symbol. As we know, the mockingbird has been inspiration for a lot of creative endeavours, too, including To Kill A Mockingbird, the mockingbird lullaby and the mockingjay references in Hunger Games.55. California: Grizzly Bear
Image Source / SFGATEThe state animal of California is actually now extinct, as it's a specific breed of Grizzly known as the California Grizzly Bear. The animal sadly went extinct in 1924, but its legend lives on, as the California Grizzly is included on the state flag, as well as being the mascots of UCLA and University of California, Berkley.56. Colorado: Lark Bunting
Image Source / WikipediaThis medium-sized American sparrow is actually the only one of its kind, as it's the only member of its type of species and not related to any other type of sparrow in the world. This uniqueness sees it as the official state animal of Colorado, with its black and white feathers.57. Connecticut: Sperm Whale
Image Source / National GeographicThe Sperm Whale is the iconic whale which inspired the famous Moby Dick, in Herman Melville's novel. Its also the animal Connecticut chose for their state. The sperm whale is actually now an endangered species, as these whales were once hunted for the oil industry. This whale is the biggest of the toothed whales.58. Delaware: Gray Fox
Image Source / WikipediaThis species of fox actually never goes into hibernation, and this was one of the reasons it was chosen to be the state animal for Delaware. A class of fourth grade kids petitioned for the gray fox to become the state animal because it was 'always ready' - never needing to hibernate - and likening it to soldiers at Dover Air Force Base!
Image Source / TreehuggerAlso known as the sea cow, a manatee can weigh over a whopping 1,200 pounds, and spends most of the day sleeping (we don't blame it). But the manatee is now an endangered marine species, yet remains the state animal for Florida. These marine creatures are known to be very playful too, often performing tricks in the water.
Image Source / WikipediaThe gopher tortoise is not only the state animal of Georgia, but it's also a very important species because it helps to provide homes for other species of wildlife - around 400 different animals, in fact! The huge sandy burrows which this tortoise makes then creates a home for other species like snakes and burrowing creatures.
Image Source / WikipediaDid you know that the Hawaiian monk seal is actually an endangered species? And highly endangered at that, sadly. It's one of only two mammals that are found in this particular state. This seal, Hawaii's state animal, can often be seen on the island's beaches when they're taking a break from swimming and hunting.
Image Source / PetGuideThe Appaloosa horse - a horse distinctive for its beautiful spotted coat - is actually loved through the US as well as just the state of Idaho, which has this horse as its state animal. It was chosen as the state animal back in 1975, and this particular breed has been seen in a ton of Western movies, as well as being the mascot for the state university of Florida.
Image Source / WikipediaWhile the white-tailed deer is the state animal for Illinois, it's actually also the beloved state animal symbol for 11 states in total! That's one popular deer. The white-tailed deer can be found throughout America, which is why so many states have taken it under their wing as the state animal symbol.
Image Source / eBirdThe Northern Cardinal bird is very obvious for its beautiful, bright-red coat. Its name comes from the red robes of Catholic cardinals, and it's this songbird that was chosen for the state animal of Indiana. These birds could actually be kept as pets up until 1918, and now they can just be found in the wild across the eastern part of the US.
Image Source / WikipediaThe American bullfrog gets its name from its very recognisable sound, where its trademark squawk sounds like the moo of a cow. This animal was chosen for the state animal of Iowa. The American bullfrog also has a healthy appetite, usually eating anything they can get their mouth on, including snakes and birds.
Image Source / WikipediaThe huge American Bison is actually the national mammal of the United States of America as a whole, but Kansas also specifically has it as its state animal. There used to be around 60 billion buffalo in the wilds of the US back in the 18th century, but it fell to an astounding 300 buffalo before national parks have brought the number back up again significantly.
Image Source / Horse Breeds PicturesWhen you think of the state of Kentucky, you might naturally think of horses and, in particular, the Kentucky Derby. And that's why the thoroughbred horse is the symbolic animal for this state! In Kentucky, also known as the Bluegrass State, racing is a 4 billion dollar industry, so it's no surprise the athletic horse is a symbol of that!
Image Source / The Nature ConservancyThe American Alligator has sadly been drastically hunted in past centuries, which reduced the alligator population, but conservation has meant these reptiles have grown in number over the past 40 years or so. Unfortunately, alligators are still targeted for their meat as well as their skin, but in Louisiana, they're also shown as the state animal.
Image Source / WikipediaFor their sheer size, you think you'd be likely to spot a moose in the US - and in Maine in particular, seeing as it's the state animal - but seeing them is actually harder than you'd think. So much so that moose safaris exist in this state to give tourists a better chance of seeing the animal, and its six-feet-in-length antlers!
Image Source / Reptiles MagazineThe Diamondback Terrapin was actually the official mascot of the University of Maryland, chosen by its football coach back in 1933, long before it became the chosen animal of the state. This terrapin then became the official reptile of the state years later in 1994!
Image Source / University of WisconsinYou might be surprised to find an animal so tiny and unassuming as the ladybug was chosen as a state animal, but that's exactly what happened in Massachusetts. This particular ladybug was brought to the US from Europe in order to control insect populations, and the seven-spotted ladybug was so good at it, that it ended up being the official state animal in 5 states!
Image Source / WikipediaThe Brook Trout is very popular among fisherman in the US, due to it being a very easy catch! Its popularity is so much so that the Brook Trout is not only recognized as the state animal in Michigan, but 8 other states also have this freshwater fish as their symbol.
Image Source / WikipediaIt might sound like an insult, but Common Loon is actually the name of a water bird (similar to a duck). This water bird is known for having four distinct different calls, including a yodal and a laughing call! The bird is so good at diving it can go 250 feet underwater - impressive enough for Minnesota to want the Loon as its state animal!
Image Source / WikipediaSpeaking of water birds: the state of Mississippi adopted the Wood Duck as its state animal, but this bird doesn't only make its home in water. The Wood Duck - in relation to its name - actually lays its eggs in the holes of trees. Once hatched, the ducklings will then jump from the tree perches onto the ground.
Image Source / WikipediaA lot of states in the US adopt birds as their state animals, it would seem! For Missouri, this is the Eastern Bluebird - which is actually also the state bird of New York. This bird can be found across many places in the US, and young Eastern Bluebirds will actually help their parents out by helping to raise the next hatched birds.
Image Source / WikipediaMourning Cloak is the name of a very bold-coloured butterfly which was adopted by the state of Montana for its symbolic animal. These butterflies are actually capable of dealing with the cold, as they live in cold mountain regions. During the winter, they hibernate instead of migrating. They're also known as 'Grand Surprise' butterflies!
Image Source / WikipediaThe Desert Tortoise definitely takes life at its own pace - a very slow pace at that. The state animal of Nebraska actually has a lengthy lifespan of up to 80 years, but don't let their slow movement fool you: they can actually claw and dig burrows underground to escape harsh desert temperatures.
Image Source / WikipediaIt's no surprise that the state of Nevada would have a desert animal as its state animal, and this one is the Desert Bighorn Sheep. These animals use their horns in a very practical way, as tools to break upon cacti for their daily meals. The males have a larger pair of horns compared to females, measuring around three feet in length.
Image Source / WikipediaThe red-spotted newt actually has a bright red colouring to it when it's still young, and can often be seen with a neon-orange glow they later lose to be replaced with the olive green skin spotted with red. This amphibian is the state animal of New Hampshire, and is often found in lakes, ponds and streams.
Image Source / WikipediaWe all know the importance of the honey bee, no matter where you come from in the world, but in the US the European Honey Bee is so important that New Jersey adopted it as its state animal - as well as 18 other states choosing this pollinating insect as their symbol! the honey bee is of course important to US agriculture.
59. Florida: Manatee
Image Source / TreehuggerAlso known as the sea cow, a manatee can weigh over a whopping 1,200 pounds, and spends most of the day sleeping (we don't blame it). But the manatee is now an endangered marine species, yet remains the state animal for Florida. These marine creatures are known to be very playful too, often performing tricks in the water.60. Georgia: Gopher Tortoise
Image Source / WikipediaThe gopher tortoise is not only the state animal of Georgia, but it's also a very important species because it helps to provide homes for other species of wildlife - around 400 different animals, in fact! The huge sandy burrows which this tortoise makes then creates a home for other species like snakes and burrowing creatures.61. Hawaii: Hawaiian Monk Seal
Image Source / WikipediaDid you know that the Hawaiian monk seal is actually an endangered species? And highly endangered at that, sadly. It's one of only two mammals that are found in this particular state. This seal, Hawaii's state animal, can often be seen on the island's beaches when they're taking a break from swimming and hunting.62. Idaho: Appaloosa Horse
Image Source / PetGuideThe Appaloosa horse - a horse distinctive for its beautiful spotted coat - is actually loved through the US as well as just the state of Idaho, which has this horse as its state animal. It was chosen as the state animal back in 1975, and this particular breed has been seen in a ton of Western movies, as well as being the mascot for the state university of Florida.63. Illinois: White-Tailed Deer
Image Source / WikipediaWhile the white-tailed deer is the state animal for Illinois, it's actually also the beloved state animal symbol for 11 states in total! That's one popular deer. The white-tailed deer can be found throughout America, which is why so many states have taken it under their wing as the state animal symbol.64. Indiana: Northern Cardinal
Image Source / eBirdThe Northern Cardinal bird is very obvious for its beautiful, bright-red coat. Its name comes from the red robes of Catholic cardinals, and it's this songbird that was chosen for the state animal of Indiana. These birds could actually be kept as pets up until 1918, and now they can just be found in the wild across the eastern part of the US.65. Iowa: American Bullfrog
Image Source / WikipediaThe American bullfrog gets its name from its very recognisable sound, where its trademark squawk sounds like the moo of a cow. This animal was chosen for the state animal of Iowa. The American bullfrog also has a healthy appetite, usually eating anything they can get their mouth on, including snakes and birds.66. Kansas: American Bison
Image Source / WikipediaThe huge American Bison is actually the national mammal of the United States of America as a whole, but Kansas also specifically has it as its state animal. There used to be around 60 billion buffalo in the wilds of the US back in the 18th century, but it fell to an astounding 300 buffalo before national parks have brought the number back up again significantly.67. Kentucky: Thoroughbred Horse
Image Source / Horse Breeds PicturesWhen you think of the state of Kentucky, you might naturally think of horses and, in particular, the Kentucky Derby. And that's why the thoroughbred horse is the symbolic animal for this state! In Kentucky, also known as the Bluegrass State, racing is a 4 billion dollar industry, so it's no surprise the athletic horse is a symbol of that!68. Louisiana: American Alligator
Image Source / The Nature ConservancyThe American Alligator has sadly been drastically hunted in past centuries, which reduced the alligator population, but conservation has meant these reptiles have grown in number over the past 40 years or so. Unfortunately, alligators are still targeted for their meat as well as their skin, but in Louisiana, they're also shown as the state animal.69. Maine: Moose
Image Source / WikipediaFor their sheer size, you think you'd be likely to spot a moose in the US - and in Maine in particular, seeing as it's the state animal - but seeing them is actually harder than you'd think. So much so that moose safaris exist in this state to give tourists a better chance of seeing the animal, and its six-feet-in-length antlers!70. Maryland: Diamondback Terrapin
Image Source / Reptiles MagazineThe Diamondback Terrapin was actually the official mascot of the University of Maryland, chosen by its football coach back in 1933, long before it became the chosen animal of the state. This terrapin then became the official reptile of the state years later in 1994!71. Massachusetts: Seven-Spotted Ladybug
Image Source / University of WisconsinYou might be surprised to find an animal so tiny and unassuming as the ladybug was chosen as a state animal, but that's exactly what happened in Massachusetts. This particular ladybug was brought to the US from Europe in order to control insect populations, and the seven-spotted ladybug was so good at it, that it ended up being the official state animal in 5 states!72. Michigan: Brook Trout
Image Source / WikipediaThe Brook Trout is very popular among fisherman in the US, due to it being a very easy catch! Its popularity is so much so that the Brook Trout is not only recognized as the state animal in Michigan, but 8 other states also have this freshwater fish as their symbol.73. Minnesota: Common Loon
Image Source / WikipediaIt might sound like an insult, but Common Loon is actually the name of a water bird (similar to a duck). This water bird is known for having four distinct different calls, including a yodal and a laughing call! The bird is so good at diving it can go 250 feet underwater - impressive enough for Minnesota to want the Loon as its state animal!74. Mississippi: Wood Duck
Image Source / WikipediaSpeaking of water birds: the state of Mississippi adopted the Wood Duck as its state animal, but this bird doesn't only make its home in water. The Wood Duck - in relation to its name - actually lays its eggs in the holes of trees. Once hatched, the ducklings will then jump from the tree perches onto the ground.75. Missouri: Eastern Bluebird
Image Source / WikipediaA lot of states in the US adopt birds as their state animals, it would seem! For Missouri, this is the Eastern Bluebird - which is actually also the state bird of New York. This bird can be found across many places in the US, and young Eastern Bluebirds will actually help their parents out by helping to raise the next hatched birds.76. Montana: Mourning Cloak
Image Source / WikipediaMourning Cloak is the name of a very bold-coloured butterfly which was adopted by the state of Montana for its symbolic animal. These butterflies are actually capable of dealing with the cold, as they live in cold mountain regions. During the winter, they hibernate instead of migrating. They're also known as 'Grand Surprise' butterflies!77. Nebraska: Desert Tortoise
Image Source / WikipediaThe Desert Tortoise definitely takes life at its own pace - a very slow pace at that. The state animal of Nebraska actually has a lengthy lifespan of up to 80 years, but don't let their slow movement fool you: they can actually claw and dig burrows underground to escape harsh desert temperatures.78. Nevada: Desert Bighorn Sheep
Image Source / WikipediaIt's no surprise that the state of Nevada would have a desert animal as its state animal, and this one is the Desert Bighorn Sheep. These animals use their horns in a very practical way, as tools to break upon cacti for their daily meals. The males have a larger pair of horns compared to females, measuring around three feet in length.79. New Hampshire: Red-Spotted Newt
Image Source / WikipediaThe red-spotted newt actually has a bright red colouring to it when it's still young, and can often be seen with a neon-orange glow they later lose to be replaced with the olive green skin spotted with red. This amphibian is the state animal of New Hampshire, and is often found in lakes, ponds and streams.80. New Jersey: European Honey Bee
Image Source / WikipediaWe all know the importance of the honey bee, no matter where you come from in the world, but in the US the European Honey Bee is so important that New Jersey adopted it as its state animal - as well as 18 other states choosing this pollinating insect as their symbol! the honey bee is of course important to US agriculture.