Biodiversity of Alabama: State and National Symbols

90. AL State Tree: Longleaf pine The bark is thick, reddish-brown, and scaly. Needles are twisted and remarkably long, up to 18 inches Vast stands across the eastern U.S. have been dramatically reduced Longleaf Pine is highly resistant to fire. Periodic natural wildfire selects for this species by killing other trees.

91. AL State Butterfly: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Some of its common habitats include, woodlands, woodland openings, woodland edges, fields, open areas, rivers, creeks, roadsides, gardens, urban parks, and city yards. Young caterpillars are brown and white, while older caterpillars are green, with two black, yellow, and blue eyespots on the thorax. Named for pointed shape of wings, like the bird

92. AL State Insect: Monarch Butterfly Monarchs are especially noted for their lengthy migration throughout parts of North America But no single individual makes the entire round trip, which lasts longer than one butterfly’s lifespan. Female monarchs deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations. Bright orange and black pattern is warning coloration to keep predators from eating them; they taste bad

93. AL State Freshwater Fish: Largemouth Bass The largemouth bass is a heavy-bodied fish with the upper jaw usually extending past the rear margin of the eye. The back is olive green to brown, and the greenish sides are marked with a broad black band composed of somewhat oval blotches connected by shorter blotches. Largemouth bass occupy almost all aquatic habitats in Alabama. The largemouth bass is the primary target species of most recreational and tournament bass anglers in North America. Largemouth bass prey upon bluegills and redear sunfish in stocked ponds and upon shad, minnows, smaller sunfishes, crayfishes, and amphibians in natural habitats.

94. AL State Saltwater Fish: Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus Inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers. Tarpons feed almost exclusively on schooling fish and occasionally crabs. Important fish for sport fishing; up to 350 lbs

95. AL State Amphibian: Red Hills Salamander (endangered) Phaeognathus hubrichti Entire global distribution confined to five Alabama counties in “Red Hills” Not discovered until 1960s Secretive, inhabits burrows on forested bluff and ravine slopes. Eliminated from many formerly inhabited sites by habitat disturbance.

96. AL State Reptile: Alabama Red-bellied Turtle (endangered) Pseudemys alabamensis Restricted to extreme lower portion of Mobile Bay drainage in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Primarily a freshwater species, but may occur in moderately brackish water with abundant vegetation.

97. AL State Bird: Northern Flicker (or Yellowhammer) The name “Yellow-hammer” comes from a term that was applied to a company of young cavalry soldiers from Huntsville. They were called the “yellowhammer company” because of the brilliant yellow bits of cloth on the sleeves, collars, and coattails of their new uniforms. Flickers are a type of woodpecker Named for yellow under wings and tail Nest in cavities of dead trees Feed on insects, especially ants, fruits, berries and seeds Live in woods, but also near houses

98. AL State Game Bird: Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Males display to females by spreading feathers and strutting around; polygamous (males mate with several females in a season) Females are plainer, build ground nests Omnivorous Benjamin Franklin wanted this to be our national bird

AL State Mammal: American Black Bear Ursus americanus Rare. Once found statewide, but now extirpated from all except an area just north of Mobile, where they still breed. Transients from Georgia and Florida also occasionally enter the state. Occupies woodland and swampland habitats. Classic omnivores: eat a variety of plant and animal materials, including some agricultural crops

100. National Symbol: Bald Eagle National symbol, found in Alabama Preys on fish Almost driven to extinction by effects of DDT (pesticide that got into food chain and caused birds’ egg shells to be fragile) Success story! Not on endangered species list any more