Michigan designated petoskey stone as the official state stone in 1965. Petoskey stone (Hexagonaria pericarnata) is actually not a stone but fossilized coral. All State Rocks & Minerals - All State Fossils
In prehistoric times (about 350 million years ago), Michigan was covered by a shallow sea that teemed with coral colonies.
The New Mexico whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorus neomexicanus) was designated the official state reptile of New Mexico in 2003. The New Mexico whiptail is a small lizard found primarily in the Rio Grande valley from northern New Mexico to northern Chihuahua, Mexico. All State Reptiles
The black bear was designated the official state animal of New Mexico in 1963 (also a mammal symbol of Alabama, Louisiana, and West Virginia). All State Mammals
The greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) was designated the official state bird of New Mexico in 1949. New Mexico also adopted a cartoon roadrunner as the official state litter-control mascot. All State Birds
New Mexico designated the hot air balloon as the official state aircraft in 2005. Albuquerque, New Mexico (“The Balloon Capitol of the World”) is known worldwide for its yearly hot air balloon mass ascension event; "The International Balloon Fiesta." All State Aircraft
Often misconcieved of as the state nickname, Illinois designated "Land of Lincoln" as the official state slogan in 1955. All Illinois Symbols
Regarded as a great symbol of democracy, Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States and is honored for his noble vision, statesmanship, humanity, and political skill.
Illinois designated the iconic monarch butterfly as the official state insect in 1975, the result of lobbying by Illinois schoolchildren (a third grader from Decatur was the first to suggest the monarch as state insect). All State Insects
Illinois designated the eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) as the official state amphibian in 2005. All State Amphibians
An election was held on the Internet in 2004; the students and citizens of Illinois chose the eastern tiger salamander over the other two candidates (gray tree frog and American toad). Eastern tiger salamanders are the largest amphibian found in Illinois and live throughout the state.
Maryland designated Smith Island cake as the official state dessert in 2008. All State Foods
Sometimes compared to tortes, the Smith Island cake (simply called "layer cakes" on Smith Island) traditionally consists of eight to ten layers of yellow cake with chocolate frosting between each layer, but variations evolved and the cake can be just about any flavor, as long as it is stacked 8 to 12 layers high!
Maryland designated the Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) as the official state bird in 1947. All State Birds