The Earth is filled with incredible, unique wildlife. These creatures have distinct habits, likes and dislikes, and food resources that lead them to inhabit and thrive in specific environments. To dive deeper into the immense variety of animals living in our country, let's explore the official state animals by region in the U.S. — starting with the Northeast!

Check out the state animals in the Midwest!
Check out the state animals in the South!
Check out the state animals in the West!

Maine - Moose

Photo: Adobe Stock/Harry Collins

Maine is one of the few states in America, and the only state in the east, to have a natural, sizeable moose population! Home to the moose subspecies Taiga, Maine is able to provide ample nutrition for these gentle giants from aquatic plants that make a tasty treat in the summer to tree bark, leaves, and balsam fir to sustain them through the cold winters. With their naturally long legs, moose are able to navigate the snowy plains and mountains with ease.

New Hampshire — White-Tailed Deer

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The white-tailed deer was designated as New Hampshire's state animal in 1983. These beautiful herbivores can be found throughout many areas of the U.S., making New Hampshire one of 11 states to honor it as a state symbol! As the name suggests, the underside of this deer's tail is white, which can be seen when the animal runs and is also flashed as a warning when danger is near. Not only are these majestic animals intelligent and perceptive, but they are rather athletic as they can run up to 40 miles per hour, leap up to nine feet in the air, and swim an incredibly fast 13 miles an hour.

Massachusetts — Boston Terrier

Photo: Adobe Stock/Mikkel Bigandt

Massachusetts is one of many states that has affirmed multiple state animals over the years. However, likely due to its tie to the state's capital, the Boston Terrier is the most popular and frequently referenced state animal. The Boston Terrier was introduced to America in 1869, after breeding an English bulldog and an English terrier together. The breed was recognized by the Massachusetts legislature in 1979. They are known to be highly intelligent, easy to train, friendly, and at times, a bit stubborn!

New York — Beaver

Photo: Adobe Stock/Stan

Seemingly a curious choice, New York adopted the beaver as their state animal in 1975. Known as "nature's engineer," a beaver's dam-building tendencies are essential in providing natural control over water flow and erosion. Their unique flat tails and large front teeth help tightly seal flooded areas, resulting in the creation of wetlands, which nearly half of all endangered and threatened species in North America rely on. Native and indigenous communities referred to beavers as the "sacred center" of the land, as they naturally develop rich habitats for fish, turtles, frogs, birds, and much more!

Rhode Island — Rhode Island Red

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Rhode Island held a state bird election, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, and the Providence Journal Company, in 1954. Up against the osprey and ruby-throated hummingbird, the Rhode Island Red came out on top as the crowd favorite. This American-bred domestic chicken is considered to be the best breed of chicken for farming! Viewed as a "dual-purpose bird," the Rhode Island Red can lay between 200 and 300 eggs per year, and stands out as a table bird. "The Rhode Island Red," said Governor Dennis J. Roberts after the results on the election, "has become a symbol of Rhode Islanders all over the world."

Connecticut — Sperm Whale

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Herman Melville wasn't the only one entranced by the magnificent Sperm Whale. The Moby Dick author wrote, "In life, the visible surface of the Sperm Whale is not the least among the many marvels he presents... Like those mystic rocks, too, the mystic-marked whale remains indecipherable." In the 1800's, Connecticut whalers were also allured by the challenge of spearing a sperm whale, with ships circling New London, Mystic and various state ports in search of the much needed oil that whales produce. In 1975, the General Assembly designated the Sperm Whale as the state animal not only as an homage to their whaling history, but in honor of the current concern around the animal's endangered status. Growing up to 60 feet in length and capable of diving over 3,000 feet deep in search of food, the illustrious Sperm Whale is the biggest toothed whale species with the largest brain of any creature on Earth.

New Jersey — Horse

Photo: Adobe Stock/vprotastchik

New Jersey's designation of their state animal is incredibly unique. The horse was adopted as the state animal in 1977, but it wasn't a politician that made the decision. It was an eighth grader named Michael McCarthy and his classmates. The influence from these school children, along with the long history of horses used on farms and in racing in the state, led to this designation.

"The founding fathers of our state thought so highly of the horse that they included it in our state seal," said Governor Byrne at the time of signing the law. "Today there are 4,654 horse farms in New Jersey, of which 888 raise racing horses. The horse industry makes a contribution to the preservation of green acres at a time when great demands are being made for the preservation of our land. I want to extend special thanks today to Michael McCarthy and his classmates at Our Lady of Victories School in Harrington Park and to James Sweetman of Freehold, NJ. It is because of their efforts that the horse is now that state animal of New Jersey."

Pennsylvania — White-Tailed Deer

Photo: Adobe Stock/karel

The white-tailed deer makes its second appearance on our list as Pennsylvania's state animal. Emphasizing the true importance of this deer to settlers and indigenous communities alike, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the nation's first ever game laws in 1721 so as to protect the white-tailed deer. Communities in the state relied on the deer heavily for food, clothing and even shelter all year long. It wasn't until October of 1959 that the creature was adopted as the state animal, and is still considered to be the most striking game animal in the state. The most nervous and shy deer species, the white-tailed deer generally travels in solitude, with fawns traveling with their mothers for up to two years.

To learn more about the incredible creatures that roam the U.S., check out the state animals of the Midwestern, Southern, and Western states!