Discover the 15 Official State Animals of Oklahoma

Oklahoma is located in the South Central United States. “The Sooner State” is generally considered to belong to the Great Plains region, although the central section of the state is more properly considered part of the Osage Plains. Although Oklahoma’s landscape is predominantly plains and prairies, these vast grasslands support a wide range of wildlife, including over 100 mammal species, 80 reptile and amphibian species, and more than 200 bird species. Keep reading to discover Oklahoma’s official state animals and learn why they were chosen to represent the natural heritage of the state.

1. State Animal: American Bison

In 1972, the Oklahoma Legislature designated the American bison (Bison bison) also known as the American buffalo, as the official state animal of Oklahoma. The bison is native to what is now Oklahoma. The resolution notes that the bison was chosen to recognize the importance of the animal to the Native American tribes who lived in Oklahoma and passed on their heritage.

Vast herds of bison once roamed the Great Plains. They were critical to the culture and livelihood of Oklahoma’s Native American tribes, such as the Osage, Wichita, and Comanche. Due to commercial hide hunting in the late 19th century, buffalo nearly became extinct. Fortunately, conservation efforts have assisted the species in regaining its population, and there are believed to be around 500,000 bison in the U.S. today. Bison are easily recognized by their large size, horned heads, and shoulder humps. Males can reach nearly 2,000 pounds and stand up to 6.5 feet at the shoulder.

2. State Furbearer: Raccoon

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) was named the state furbearer in 1989 via Senate Concurrent Resolution 25. It was chosen to recognize its significance as one of the state’s most adaptable and populous wildlife species, as well as the raccoon’s historical importance to the fur trade.

Raccoons have greyish-brown fur, black “masks” on their white faces, and bushy, ringed tails. Adult raccoons can reach around 35 pounds and measure up to 38 inches long, including the tail. In Oklahoma, they are primarily found in the Cross Timbers region in the central and eastern part of the state. However, they may also be found in marshes, prairies, agricultural fields, and backyards across Oklahoma.

3. State Game Animal: White-Tailed Deer

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the official state game animal of Oklahoma. It was adopted after the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 24, effective in 1989. The resolution states that the white-tailed deer is “the most beautiful and prized symbol of Oklahoma wildlife.” White-tailed deer hunting is also an important part of the state’s economy, with an estimated impact of over $600 million per year.

White-tailed deer have a thinner, reddish-brown coat in the summer and a thicker, greyish-brown coat throughout the winter. The undersides of their tails are white. Mature males can weigh up to 300 pounds, but most weigh around 100 pounds, while females weigh around 85 pounds. These deer are distributed across all 77 counties of Oklahoma, but they are particularly abundant in the Cross Timbers region.

4. State Horse: The American Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse was adopted as the official state horse in 2022. The Quarter Horse was chosen due to its significance to the state’s western heritage and the lifestyle of the cowboys, Native Americans, and pioneers that helped settle Oklahoma. Oklahoma has more registered Quarter Horses per capita than any other state in the U.S

The American Quarter Horse is believed to be one of the oldest recognized breeds in the country. It is said to date back to the 1660s and is a descendant of a Colonial Spanish Mustang, a horse that is also important to Oklahoma’s Native American tribes. Quarter Horses are renowned for their sprinting abilities, as well as their intelligence and calm temperament. These horses are compact and heavily muscled with strong hindquarters. They generally stand about 14.3 to 16 hands tall (4.8–5.3 feet) and can be a wide variety of colors.

5. State Heritage Horse: The Oklahoma Colonial Spanish Horse

The Oklahoma Colonial Spanish Horse was adopted as the official state heritage horse in 2014. Senate Concurrent Resolution 34 was passed to recognize the unique heritage of the horse, which originated from Spanish horses brought over with early settlers. The horses in foundation herds in southeastern Oklahoma are said to have 100% Spanish genetic markers, which have been preserved since 1980.

6. State Pet: Rescue Animals

Rescue animals were adopted as the official state pet in 2021. The legislation is also known as “Cali’s law,” named after a Catahoula-mix dog who was adopted from a shelter by State Representative Mark McBride.

Lawmakers note that no specific species is designated, so any rescue animal counts as the state pet. The purpose of the designation is to encourage the adoption of shelter animals across Oklahoma and highlight the importance of rescue animals.

7. State Bird: Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

In 1951, the scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) was selected as the official state bird of Oklahoma. The bird was chosen because of its nesting range in Oklahoma, as well as its diet of pest insects.

The scissor-tailed flycatcher can reach 11-15 inches long, with a forked tail that can reach a length of 9 inches. This bird has a predominantly grey body with a white breast. The wings and tail are black and white, and it has patches of red or pink under its wings where they connect to the body. In Oklahoma, they favor open environments like prairies and farmlands. These birds are often seen perching along roadsides on fences and tree limbs.

8. State Raptor: Red-Tailed Hawk

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was designated the official state raptor in 2018. A ten-year-old student from Oklahoma City was behind the proposal to recognize the red-tailed hawk as the state raptor. The hawk is a year-round resident and is one of the most common bird species in Oklahoma.

When spotted from below, red-tailed hawks have wide, rounded wings and short, broad tails. They can reach over 25 inches in length with wingspans of over 4 feet. However, these large birds only weigh around 3 pounds. Red-tailed hawks generally have brown upperparts and pale underparts with streaks of brown on their bellies. The tail is cinnamon-colored on top with a light-colored underside. These hawks favor open areas and are often seen perching near roadsides and agricultural fields.

9. State Game Bird: Wild Turkey

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was adopted as the official state game bird in 1990. In the 1800s, turkey populations were abundant in Oklahoma, but by 1925, wild turkeys were thought to be extinct in the state. However, in 1948, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation began a program to reestablish the wild turkey in its former range. There are now huntable populations in all 77 Oklahoma counties.

There are three wild turkey species in Oklahoma: Eastern, Rio Grande, and Merriam’s wild turkeys. Eastern turkeys are the largest subspecies, reaching up to 4 feet tall and weighing over 20 pounds. Eastern turkeys are darker overall with brown tail tips. They are typically found in the eastern third of the state. Rio Grande are smaller with longer legs, yellowish-brown coloration, and tan tail tips. These turkeys are typically found in western and central Oklahoma. Merriam’s turkeys are generally considered the second-largest subspecies. They have darker body feathers, white tail tips, and white feathers on the lower rump. They are only found in the western edge of the Panhandle.

10. Flying Mammal: Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

The Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) was designated as the state’s official flying mammal in 2006. The bat was adopted to promote wildlife tourism and to recognize its important ecological role in pest control. These bats migrate from Mexico to breed in Oklahoma caves, especially Selman Bat Cave, which is one of four bat maternity caves in the state.

Mexican free-tailed bats have tails that extend beyond the uropatagium, which is the tail membrane. These bats generally have reddish-brown to dark brown fur. They are considered small to medium-sized bats, weighing 0.4-0.5 ounces with wingspans of 12 to 14 inches. Their ears are wide and rounded, they have large eyes, and their upper lips are wrinkled. These bats are extremely fast fliers and have been documented at speeds of around 100mph.

11. State Reptile: The Eastern Collared Lizard

In recognition of its distinctive appearance and value to the state’s ecology, the eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) was named Oklahoma’s official state reptile in 1969. Changes in its population or behavior can indicate problems like pollution or habitat loss, so it functions as an environmental health indicator.

The collared lizard gets its name from the recognizable black band that encircles its neck. These lizards have large heads and tails that are around twice their body length. Males are green and yellow with spots and stripes and can reach just over 4.5 inches in snout-to-vent length. Females are primarily grey or brown with yellow spots and can reach about 4 inches in length. The lizard is a top predator in its ecosystem, aiding in controlling the numbers of insects and small vertebrates. These lizards are most active from mid-March through September and can often be seen perched near rocky outcrops. They are typically only found in rocky habitats, such as the Wichita Mountains.

12. State Amphibian: American Bullfrog

The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is the state amphibian of Oklahoma. It was designated the official state amphibian in 1997. The resolution noted that the bullfrog was crucial to the state’s ecology and represents the importance of all amphibians to the environment.

Bullfrogs are found throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and are common across Oklahoma. They are the largest frogs in North America, typically reaching 3.5 to 8 inches in length. Bullfrogs have green or brown skin with dark mottling and males have yellow patches on their throats. These frogs have deep, bellowing mating calls, which can also be territorial in males. They are highly opportunistic feeders and will eat nearly anything they can catch. Bullfrogs are usually seen in large, permanent lakes, ponds, and marshes.

13. State Fish: White Bass

The white bass (Morone chrysops) is native to the Oklahoma and was adopted as the official state fish in 1974 for its importance to the state’s waterways. White bass are popular game fish and are an essential part of Oklahoma’s recreational fishing industry. Sport fishermen harvest an estimated 1.5 million pounds of white bass from Oklahoma waters each year.

The white bass is easy to recognize due to its silvery-white color, 6-10 dark horizontal stripes, and arched back that begins just behind its head. They typically reach between 10 and 15 inches and weigh 1 to 2 pounds. The largest white bass ever caught in Oklahoma weighed 5 pounds and 1 ounce and measured 18.5 inches long. These fish are common throughout the state and can primarily be found in large reservoirs and rivers.

14. State Butterfly: Black Swallowtail

The black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) was adopted as the official state butterfly in 1996. It was chosen for its contributions to the environment, particularly around cross-pollination, as well as its colorful appearance.

These butterflies are mostly black; males have more noticeable yellow markings and less blue, while females have more distinct blue markings and less yellow. Both males and females have reddish-orange eyespots and long “tails” on their hindwings. Their wingspans measure between 2.5 to 4.5 inches, with females being larger. They are most commonly seen in open areas from May to October.

15. State Insect: Honeybee

The honeybee (Apis mellifera) is the official state insect of Oklahoma. It was officially adopted in 1992 with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 75. The initiative was led by Oklahoma elementary school students. The resolution emphasized the role of the insect in crop pollination and its importance to the state’s food supply.

Honeybees have fuzzy bodies with black and yellowish-brown banded abdomens. They are social insects living in large colonies with a queen, infertile female workers, and male drones. Honeybees pollinate some of Oklahoma’s most important crops, including alfalfa, cotton, persimmon, watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, blackberries, peaches, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and more. Honey is also an important product in the state. In 2022, Oklahoma counted 1,627 bee farms with 22,993 bee colonies. Farmers collected more than 234,000 pounds of honey.