2. Arizona State Symbols What are the living symbols of Arizona? When and how were they chosen?

3. What is a “symbol”?

4. Want to learn more about your state symbols? Click to begin.

5. I was our first symbol, selected in 1901 when Arizona was a territory. Three inches wide, I can only be seen in May and June. I am our state flower. saguaro blossom

6. What do you think?  Why does this flower bloom at night and close the next day?  What animals might use pollen and nectar from this flower?  What does the flower get in return?  Why might this flower be large and grow in clusters?

7. The legislature chose me in 1931. I eat insects and cactus fruit. I like to sing cha-cha-cha. I am our state bird. Cactus Wren

8. What do you think?  Why is it called the Cactus Wren?  How can the Cactus Wren survive without drinking water?  Why do Cactus Wrens choose cholla cactus or thorny trees for nest locations?  What makes a Cactus Wren’s nest unusual?

9. The legislature chose me in 1954. I am usually green. I produce yellow flowers. I am our state tree. paloverde

10. What do you think?  Why are the bark and branches of this tree green?  Why are the leaves and flowers so small?  What do this tree and the saguaro have in common?  How has the palo verde adapted to the lack of water in the desert?

11. School children selected me in 1985. I am an excellent climber. I am usually green. I am our state amphibian. Arizona Treefrog

12. What do you think?  What adaptations help the Arizona Treefrog survive?  What does it mean to be “insectivorous”?  What is the purpose of the male’s vocalization?  In what part of our state would you find the Arizona Treefrog?

13. School children selected me in 1985. I am sometimes called a “yellow belly.” I am our state fish. Apache Trout By 1970 I was nearly extinct.

14. What do you think?  Why do you think this species nearly became extinct?  How have humans helped this species to recover?  In what part(s) of Arizona would you find this species?

15. school children selected me in 1985. I prefer to live in rock crevices. I have an upturned nose. I am our state reptile. Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake

16. What do you think?  Why does it have a rattle?  How does this rattlesnake fit into the cycle of life in our desert?  This is a protected species. What does that mean?

17. School children selected me in 1985. Sometimes called a miner’s cat, I am not really a cat. I am our state mammal. ringtail

18. What do you think?  Why do some people call the ringtail a miner’s cat or ringtail cat?  How is it different from a cat?  How has the ringtail adapted to its habitat?  Why might the ringtail have such a long tail?

19. Arizona residents and the legislature chose me in 2001. I am bright yellow and have two tails. I am our state butterfly. Two-Tailed Swallowtail

20. What do you think?  Does this butterfly really have two tails?  How many different species of swallowtail butterflies live in Arizona?  Of all the butterflies in Arizona, why was this selected as the state butterfly?

21. Explore More! Click any box below to learn more Become a wildlife detective Become a wildlife detective Legislative Elect a class symbol Elect a class symbol Click here to learn about the current state seal.