90°, FairFlorida State Symbols
As the third most populous U.S. state and tourist destination for people from all over the world, the State of Florida plays an important role in current events and world history. Discovered by Ponce Deleon in 1513 on his journey to discover the Fountain of Youth, Spain sold the territory to the United States in 1819, and it achieved statehood in 1845.
A variety of peoples and cultures have shaped the history of the state. The Seminole Indians have contributed much to Florida, carving out their own nation within the wetlands of the Everglades. Settlers from Latin America have given much of South Florida a Hispanic vibe, and retirees from northern states continue to swell the population along with others who relocate to enjoy the state’s low cost of living, weather, and job opportunities.
Because of its tropical, sunny climate, Florida is known as the Sunshine State. Its capital is in Tallahassee, and its major population centers include Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. To honor the natural resources of Florida, state legislators have made several native plants, animals, and minerals official state symbols. This resource guide lists some of the most important state symbols of Florida. Following a brief description of each symbol, links are provided to give readers more information on the wildlife and more that are official symbols of the state.
State Animal — Florida Panther
Although the animal now known as the Florida panther once lived in an area of the country encompassing much of the southern United States, it is now confined to the Florida Everglades This panther, a subspecies of the American lion, tends to be a solitary creature and it is in great danger of becoming extinct due to its loss of habitat and the lack of a population large enough to maintain genetic diversity and prevent birth defects.
- Exploring the Florida Everglades — Here is a good overview about the Florida panther from a site all about the Florida Everglades.
- Florida Panthers — This page contains some brief information on Florida panthers from a student at the University of Arizona.
State Marine Mammal — West Indian Manatee
West Indian manatees, commonly known as “sea cows,” are as gentle and friendly as they look. Usually inhabitants of warm coastal waters, these creatures are known to move inland to find warmer water during the winter, and they can often be found in rivers and lakes just outside of power plants during those time. State boating laws and speed limits have been changed to help preserve this slow-moving, endangered species against boat propellers, perhaps their greatest modern enemy.
- Biological Profiles: West Indian Manatee — The Florida Museum of Natural History is the host of this page on the Florida State Marine Mammal.
- West Indian Manatee: Species Profile — Everglades National Park has a good description of the West Indian manatee here.
State Saltwater Mammal — Bottlenose Dolphin
Friendly and playful, the bottlenose dolphin is one of the most popular of all the marine mammals. They are frequently sighted from the shores of Florida’s beaches and appear in many of the aquariums found throughout the state. Many of these special animals live in the Gulf of Mexico, and they are under constant threat from fishing gear that can injure or kill them, albeit accidentally in most cases.
- Bottlenose Dolphin Basics — Hawaii Pacific University describes the bottlenose dolphin on this helpful page.
- NOAA Protected Resources: Bottlenose Dolphin — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States has this excellent site all about the bottlenose dolphin.
State Saltwater Fish — Sailfish
With their long, pointed snout, beautiful color, and large, sail-like dorsal fin, the Atlantic sailfish is truly a sight to behold. Even though it is the State Saltwater Fish of Florida, the sailfish actually has a range that includes much of the Atlantic Ocean, even up to the coast of the Maine when the water is warm enough. This fish is a familiar sight on much of the artwork associated with the state.
- The Atlantic Sailfish — An excellent picture of the sailfish along with some very brief information on this animal can be accessed via this link.
- Istiophorus Albicans — Istiophorus alblicans is the official scientific name for the sailfish, and this site looks at this special creature.
State Freshwater Fish — Florida Largemouth Bass
People who enjoy fishing as a hobby flock to Florida from around the world to take advantage of the abundance of largemouth bass fishing locales in the state. This popular trophy fish with its light green and brown sides is important to state tourism, so it is no wonder that the Florida largemouth bass has been declared the State Freshwater Fish of Florida.
- Ask a Scientist — On this page, a biologist answers some basic questions about the largemouth bass.
- Black Bass: Largemouth Bass — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has made this page on the largemouth bass available to web surfers.
State Reptile — American Alligator
Even though much artwork depicts the American alligator as green in color, adult American alligators are actually black. Baby alligators are black with yellow stripes, which help them to hide among the saw grass in the Everglades. Although the American alligator was once in danger of being wiped out, new laws have led to the population’s recovery. It is even legal to hunt this reptile of Florida in the state at certain times of the year.
- Crocodilian Species: American Alligator — The University of Florida describes the basics of the American alligator on this page.
- Fact Sheets: American Alligator — The Smithsonian National Zoological Park provides this informative page on the American alligator.
State Shell — Horse Conch
Ever since 1969, the horse conch has been the State Shell of Florida. The large creature that inhabits this shell is actually part of the snail family, and it is found throughout the coastal waters of Florida. Interesting fact: Natives of the Florida Keys often refer to themselves as “conchs.”
- Florida State Shell — A good picture of the Florida state shell along with facts about the shell and its creature is available on this site, which also contains information on all the state symbols of the United States.
- Whitney Laboratory: Horse Conch — The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience at the University of Florida is the source for this page on the horse conch and its shell.
State Bird — Northern Mockingbird
When compared to other birds, the gray-brown northern mockingbird really is not all that much to look at. What it might lack in visual beauty, however, the mockingbird makes up for in song, for these birds are known to sing loudly and proudly. They can be found all over the state in a variety of different environments.
- All About Birds: Northern Mockingbird — Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology hosts this page with facts on the northern mockingbird.
- Northern Mockingbird — Here is another good page on the northern mockingbird, including a great picture.
State Insect — Zebra Longwing Butterfly
Not surprisingly, the zebra longwing butterfly derives its name from its appearance, for its black and yellowish-white stripes make it look just like the famous African mammal. Designated the State Butterfly of Florida in 1996, the zebra longwing feeds on flower nectar and is actually far more prevalent in the southern half of the state than it is in the north.
- Heliconius Charitonia — This entomology page from the University of Florida has some brief information on the zebra longwing butterfly.
- Nature Works: Zebra Longwing Butterfly — On this page, users can access pictures and information on the zebra longwing butterfly.
State Tree — Sabal Palm
Given their prevalence in Florida, it is little wonder that most people associate palm trees with the state. The state tree is one variety of these palms, the salt-resistant Sabal palm, which comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Confined mostly to Florida, these trees also appear on the southeastern coast of the United States.
- Sabal Palmetto Fact Sheet — Virginia Tech is actually the source of this page on the State Tree of Florida.
- Tidal Wetlands of the Gulf of Mexico — Find some good pictures of the Sabal Palm along with good information via this link from the U.S. Geological Survey.
State Wildflower — Coreopsis
Yellow in color, the coreopsis is the State Wildflower of Florida. It is often found in the state growing wildly on the sides of highways and interstates, but many homeowners also plant in their yards to help beautify their landscapes. These perennials truly are popular throughout the state.
- Florida's State Wildflower — This page contains many links about the coreopsis or tickseed, Florida’s state wildflower.
- USDA: Coreopsis Lanceolata — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the source of this page on the State Wildflower of Florida.
State Flower — Orange Blossom
Citrus fruits, especially oranges, are vital to the state economy of Florida; thus, the orange blossom has been the State Flower of Florida for over a century. These blooms appear each spring on orange trees, later producing fruit in the autumn and winter. The fragrance of these small white flowers is especially treasured in the state.
- Florida State Flower — This is an extensive page on the State Flower of Florida from The Flower Expert.com.
- Senate Kids: State Symbols — The orange blossom is just one of the state symbols of Florida described on this multi-page site.
State Song — The Swanee River
“Old Folks at Home” is the actual title for the Florida state song, which is often more popularly called “Way Down Upon the Swanee River” or “The Swanee River Song.” Named for the famous Swanee River (also, Swanee River), the song has been controversial because some believe the lyrics are at least implicitly racist. Currently, there is a move in the Florida legislature to have another song chosen in its place, but it is unclear as to whether the move will actually succeed.
- Old Folks at Home — Stephen Foster’s lyrics for “Old Folks at Home” or the Swanee River song are found here.
- Way Down Upon the Swanee River — A bulleted list of facts about Florida’s state song is on this page.
State Gem — Moonstone
The moonstone is an abundant gem as it is part of the feldspar group of minerals, which make up approximately two-thirds of the earth’s crust. Moonstones are found throughout the world and are often clear with a bluish hint of color. They are treasured for their luster and other properties.
- Gem by Gem: Moonstone — The International Colored Gemstone Association hosts this page of information on the moonstone.
- Orthoclase Feldspar — On this page from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, users can find information on moonstones, which are a variant of the mineral feldspar.
State Stone — Agatized Coral
Agatized coral is very popular with mineral collectors. When fossil corals are replaced with agate over time, a stone that has the appearance of the coral remains, making agatized coral very beautiful. It comes in a wide variety of sizes and colors.
- Agatized Corals from Florida — Some excellent images of different agatized corals from Florida are hosted on this site.
- Mineral: Agatized Coral — A great picture and information about agatized coral is accessible on this page from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
State Beverage — Orange Juice
Florida is famous for its orange juice, and the visitor centers right near the border of the state are known for offering free orange juice to motorists who stop there. High in vitamin C and other nutrients, many people consider the breakfast table incomplete without a glass of Florida orange juice.
- Florida Citrus Land — There is all kinds of information and games about Florida orange juice on this page from the Florida Department of Citrus.
- The Story of Florida Orange Juice — Learn how Florida oranges move from tree to juice on this informative site.
Fun Facts
As one of the most significant tourist destinations in the United States and the world, there are many interesting sites to see in the State of Florida. The rapid population growth of the state has also led to several fun facts about Florida, and these sites offer a wealth of information and trivia on Florida.
- Florida Facts and Trivia — This page has some brief fun facts about the Sunshine State.
- Florida Fun Facts — The facts on this page from the U.S. Census Bureau are accurate as of the year 2000.
- Florida Keys Fun Facts — SeaWorld and Busch Gardens host this page with many interesting facts on the State of Florida.
- Online Sunshine for Kids — Here is a colorful page with many fun facts about Florida.
Additional Florida Resources
- Florida History Internet Center — The Florida History Internet Center has many links and photos having to do with the history of the state.
- Florida History Online — Students at the University of North Florida put together this site on Florida history that has many important digitized historical documents.
- My Florida — This state portal for residents of Florida has a wealth of data about the state and its government.
- Seminole Tribe of Florida — The Seminole Indians have an official site about their history and culture here.
