Discover the 10 Official State Animals of New Jersey

Every state in the United States has official state symbols that consist of animals that represent the state’s unique geography, culture, history, and economy. New Jersey lawmakers have chosen ten animals to represent their state. Continue reading to discover which animals were chosen as representatives of the Garden State.

State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch

The Eastern goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) was named the New Jersey state bird in 1935.

The Eastern goldfinch, also known as the American goldfinch, has two very distinct looks depending on the time of year. In the winter, the bird is a muted olive-gray color. But in the spring, the bird molts and becomes yellow and black. Both males and females go through this change, but males are brighter yellow than females.

The Eastern goldfinch is not a migratory bird but a nomadic feeder. Whether New Jersey residents see them in winter depends largely on food availability, as these birds tend to disappear and reappear throughout the season.

The Eastern goldfinch has a variety of vocalizations, including a song with a series of crisp warbles and twitters. It is a cheery songbird that is found throughout New Jersey.

State Insect: Honey Bee

New Jersey’s state insect is the honey bee (Apis mellifera). The designation came at the behest of a group of fifth-grade students from the Sunnybrae School in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The children gave a presentation at the statehouse to advocate for the honey bee. Legislators followed their lead and passed the bill, which was signed on June 20, 1974.

In New Jersey, the honey bee is a vital pollinator for crops such as apples, blueberries, cantaloupes, cranberries, cucumbers, and watermelons.

Recently, New Jersey has seen significant honey bee colony losses, with over 55% of colonies dying in some years. These losses impact the state’s agricultural industry, which relies heavily on pollinators for crops such as apples, blueberries, and cranberries. The decline is primarily driven by Varroa mites, the loss of natural habitats, and the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

State Animal: Horse

Michael McCarthy, a fifth-grade student at Our Lady of Victories School in Harrington Park, New Jersey, and James Sweetman, an eighth-grader from Freehold, New Jersey, were responsible for naming the horse (Equus caballus) as New Jersey’s state animal. Their efforts were rewarded when lawmakers passed the bill officially recognizing the horse on August 14, 1977.

Horses generate approximately $780 million annually for New Jersey’s economy through racing, breeding, training, and support services.

State Dinosaur: Hadrosaurus foulkii

New Jersey’s state dinosaur, Hadrosaurus foulkii, may have lived 70-100 million years ago, but it didn’t receive official recognition until June 13, 1991. During the Cretaceous period, this odd-looking duck-billed dinosaur roamed the swamps and forests along the ancient seacoasts of what would become New Jersey.

The fossilized bones of Hadrosaurus foulkii were uncovered in the 1830s, when several huge bones were found in a New Jersey marl pit. Marl deposits, also known as greensand, were left in New Jersey by the ancient seawater that once covered the land. Once colonial farmers discovered that marl was an excellent fertilizer, marl pits were dug in New Jersey’s Inner Coastal Plain, and the greensand was sold to farmers in New Jersey and beyond. These marl pits became the namesake of some New Jersey towns, such as Marlton and Marlboro.

The Hadrosaurus foulkii was approximately 25 feet long and likely weighed 7-8 tons. It appears that it ran on its hind legs, but probably stood on all four legs while grazing.

State Freshwater Fish : Brook Trout

The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was named the state fish of New Jersey when then-Governor Jim Florio (D) signed Assembly Bill 2608 on January 8, 1992. Brook trout can only survive in exceptionally clean, cold water, so the fish has come to symbolize the importance of conserving the natural waterways.

While other trout species are now found in the state, the brook trout is the only species native to New Jersey. Historically, brook trout occupied nearly 200 of the state’s 900 watersheds. Today, brook trout have been extirpated in many of these watersheds, resulting in the loss of up to 90% of their native pond habitat and significant declines in riverine habitats—among the highest losses recorded within the brook trout’s native range. 

Strict conservation measures have been implemented to help replenish the state’s brook trout population. No brook trout under nine inches long may be harvested anywhere in the state. Even more significantly, the Brook Trout Conservation Zone (BTCZ) was established in 2018. The BTCZ is located between two major roadways (Interstate 287 and Route 202), the Delaware River, and the New Jersey–New York state line. No brook trout, regardless of size, may be harvested in the BTCZ. Any brook trout that is caught must be immediately released unharmed.

State shell: Knobbed Whelk

New Jersey adopted the knobbed whelk (Busycon carica) as its state shell on April 13, 1995. These shells house large, predatory marine snails that inhabit nearshore waters. The discarded shells are common along the Jersey Shore.

The knobbed whelk is a commercially harvested marine snail. It is fished along the Jersey Shore for its edible meat, which is often used in salads, fritters, and chowders, and its shells are valued for their ornamental uses.

State Butterfly: Black Swallowtail Butterfly

The black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) became New Jersey’s official butterfly on January 11, 2016. Jeannie Geremia and the Garden Club of New Jersey lobbied for the black swallowtail because it is found in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties.

The black swallowtail, also known as the Eastern black swallowtail or parsnip swallowtail, features dark black wings with colorful yellow/orange spots. Females also feature bright blue hues on their hindwings. The wingspan of this large butterfly can reach 3.5-3.75 inches. 

In its larval stage, the black swallowtail is a brightly colored caterpillar with green, black, and yellow stripes/spots that feeds on plants in the parsley family, such as dill, fennel, and carrot.

State Saltwater Fish: Striped Bass

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) was adopted as New Jersey’s official saltwater fish on August 7, 2017.

The striped bass is found along the North American Atlantic coast from Canada to Florida. The striped bass is an anadromous fish that lives in the ocean but moves to freshwater to spawn. The average striped bass caught in New Jersey measures around 30 inches long and weighs about 10-15 pounds.

Striped bass are a favorite target of New Jersey anglers and are regarded as the Kings of the Jersey Shore.

State Reptile: Bog Turtle

The bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) was designated the official state reptile of New Jersey on June 18, 2018. Measuring only three to four inches long, bog turtles are the smallest turtle species in North America. However, their diminutive size isn’t the only reason these turtles can be hard to spot in New Jersey.

It is also critically endangered. Habitat loss, pollution, and illegal collecting have all combined to decimate the bog turtle population. It was officially classified as endangered in 1997.

Also known as Muhlenberg’s turtle, the bog turtle is found exclusively in bogs and wetlands in the Northeastern United States. In New Jersey, bog turtles were once found throughout the state. Today, the remaining concentrations of bog turtles are largely found in 12 of the state’s 21 counties.

The Bog Turtle Project was implemented in an effort to save these tiny reptiles. The project involves saving remaining bog turtle habitats from development, partnering with private landowners, and controlling the invasive European wetland plant, purple loosestrife, among many other measures.

State Dog: Seeing Eye Dog®

The Seeing Eye Dog® (Canis lupus familiaris) became the official dog of New Jersey on January 21, 2020.

All Seeing Eye Dogs® are born and trained in Morristown, New Jersey, before they are placed with visually-impaired people across the United States and Canada. While Seeing Eye Dog® is often used colloquially to describe many guide dogs, it is actually a registered trademark of The Seeing Eye, Inc. in Morristown, New Jersey.

In his remarks on New Jersey’s state dog designation, Seeing Eye President & CEO Glenn Hoagland said, “When our non-profit was founded, few people believed dogs could contribute to the health and wellness of humankind in the myriad of ways they do today. The work of our founders paved the way for acceptance of assistance animals in society, eventually leading to their incorporation into the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Senator Anthony M. Bucco, whose father introduced the bill before his death, said the designation reflected his father’s “deeply held belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and respect.”

Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, who co-sponsored the bill, said, “These highly trained, intelligent, loyal, and gentle service dogs are indispensable. The guide dogs, and the individuals who train them, truly are a representation of everything good in New Jersey.”

While several states now have official state dogs, New Jersey’s state dog is in a class all its own.