Discover the 5 Official State Animals of Montana

Each year, visitors from around the world come to Montana to experience its astonishing landscapes, national parks, wilderness areas, recreational opportunities, and breathtaking mountain views. Big Sky Country is truly inspiring, and its official state symbols reflect this unique and magical quality. Continue reading to discover the five official state animals of Montana and learn how they symbolize the state’s unique qualities.

Bird: Western Meadowlark

Also promoted by Montana’s school children, the Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) became the official state bird in 1931. These striking birds have black and white patterned wings with bright yellow throats and chests. Their beaks are long and thin, and there is a very distinct black V-shaped marking on their chests.

Western meadowlarks are commonly seen in Montana’s agricultural and grassland areas, often perched on fence posts across the landscape. However, their unique songs often make them easier to hear than to see. Male Western meadowlarks can learn up to 12 different songs and will change their tunes in response to new stimuli.

Western meadowlarks build their nests on the ground. Found in meadows and grassy fields, the birds weave their cup-shaped nests with bark and dried grasses. They often weave their nests directly into the surrounding vegetation to anchor them. Some nests feature an a grass roof or even a long, woven-grass entry tunnel. 

Fish: Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout

When Norma Ashby, an avid angler, discovered that Montana had yet to declare a state fish, she decided to campaign for the blackspotted cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki). The blackspotted cutthroat trout became the official state fish of Montana in 1977.

The cutthroat trout is often seen as an embodiment of the Montana way of life. A living symbol of quality and tenacity, these resilient fish require pristine environments to thrive. Like the cutthroat trout, the people of Montana continually strive to maintain their hard-fought way of life, even as neighboring states change. Montanans accept nothing less than the best when it comes to protecting and preserving what makes their state special.

Animal: Grizzly Bear

In 1983, the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) was designated as the official state animal of Montana. Across the state, 425 schools held multiple elections, complete with campaigns, posters, and speeches, to choose Montana’s state animal.

Montana was the first to begin conservation work to protect grizzly bears in the 1920s. Historically, grizzly bears lived throughout Montana, but today they are primarily found in Western and Central Montana, with their range continuing to expand. They are currently listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in Montana. 

In the late 19th century, there were an estimated 50,000 grizzly bears in the lower 48 U.S. states. There are approximately 1,900 to 2,000 grizzly bears left in the contiguous United States as of early 2026.

Grizzly bears are formidable predators that stand 5 to 8 feet tall on their hind legs. They can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and run up to 35 miles per hour! The grizzly bears found in Montana are a subspecies of brown bear. Their fur is usually light brown, but it can also be blonde, white-tipped, or a deep, dark brown. One of their most striking features is their large shoulder hump, which is made of powerful muscles attached to the bear’s backbone. This group of muscles gives the grizzly incredible strength for digging to find food and build dens.

Fossil: Duck-Billed Dinosaur

Named the official state fossil of Montana in 1985, the duck-billed dinosaur (Maiasaura peeblesorum) has a unique and important history. Fossils of the duck-billed dinosaur were first discovered in 1978 by Marion Brandvold in an area of Montana that is now known as Egg Mountain. Brandvold’s groundbreaking discovery was not just a single dinosaur, but an entire nest containing eggshells, baby and juvenile dinosaurs, and even an unhatched dinosaur egg. This was the first time scientists found evidence that some dinosaurs lived in colonies and nurtured their young. The dinosaur’s name, Maisasaura, comes from Greek and means good mother reptile.

State Butterfly: Mourning Cloak Butterfly

One of the first butterflies to appear in the spring is Montana’s official state butterfly: the mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa). These beautiful butterflies sometimes emerge even before the snow has melted. The mourning cloak butterfly was designated as the official state butterfly in 2001. Its name comes from the striking coloration of its wings, which resemble the dark cloaks traditionally worn during periods of mourning.

The butterfly’s velvety wings also have delicate yellow edges and tiny iridescent blue spots. These iconic insects are easy to identify, as no other butterfly looks quite like them. Their dark wings absorb the sun’s warmth as they bask on tree trunks throughout Montana. They are quite large as well, with wingspans that can reach up to 4 inches. The caterpillars are also sizable, reaching lengths of up to 2 inches. Mourning cloak butterfly caterpillars have black bodies with eight bright red-orange spots running down the middle of their backs. They are also covered in short hairs (setae) with white dots and spiky black spines.