Discover The 11 Official State Animals Of Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia is characterized by diverse landscapes, from rugged, high-elevation mountains in the west, through rolling hills, to flat, sandy, and marshy coastal areas in the east. This varied geography supports a mix of wildlife, including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Given its abundance of animal species, Virginia does not have just one official animal. In fact, the commonwealth boasts 11 official animals. Continue reading to discover the animals that Virginia has selected to represent the Old Dominion state.

Bird: Northern Cardinal

On January 25, 1950, the Virginia General Assembly selected the Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the first official animal symbol of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Northern cardinal is a songbird of average size, with an average wingspan of 12 inches. It has a striking crest on its head and a black or gray mask covering its face. Females have a reddish olive tint, while males are vivid red. 

Northern cardinals can be found in gardens, shrublands, wetlands, streamside thickets, and vegetation close to homes. Northern cardinals do not migrate. They are active during the day, especially in the morning and evening. They forage in shrubs and trees as well as in open thickets on the ground in big flocks of up to 70 birds throughout the winter.

Dog: American Foxhound

The Commonwealth of Virginia designated the American foxhound (Canis lupus familiaris) as the official dog of Virginia in 1966.

American foxhounds are excellent hunting dogs with remarkable attention to scents. This breed, which was developed to hunt foxes, was among the first dog breeds developed in the United States.

American foxhounds are renowned for their quickness, stamina, and perseverance. The American foxhound may be distinguished from its British relative, the English foxhound, by the length of its legs. Compared to its English cousin, the American Foxhound’s legs are longer and more finely boned.

American foxhounds are friendly, low-maintenance dogs that get along well with children, other dogs, and even cats.

Shell: Eastern Oyster

Due to its immense economic, historical, and ecological importance to the Commonwealth, including its critical role as a natural water filter, the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) was designated as the official shell of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1974.

The Eastern oyster is a bivalve mollusk, like other oysters, with a tough calcium carbonate shell that guards it against predators. It is a filter feeder, meaning that it takes in water, filters out the plankton and other debris for it to consume, then spits the water back out, cleaning the water all around it. Almost 50 gallons of water can be filtered by one oyster in a day.

Insect: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

The Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) was designated the official insect of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1991.

The Eastern tiger swallowtail is a large butterfly, with a wingspan ranging from 3.5 to 6.5 inches. Males are consistently yellow with black tiger stripes and black borders. Females appear in a yellow form, like the male, but with extensive blue scaling on the hindwing.

The larvae (caterpillars) of Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies consume the leaves of many different woody plants, including cherry, birch, ash, cottonwood, and occasionally willow. In their adult form, Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from several flowering plants, including milkweed, honeysuckle, lilac, and cherries.

Freshwater Fish: Brook Trout

The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was recognized as the official fish of Virginia in 1993, and then again in 2011, when it was designated as the official freshwater fish of Virginia.

The brook trout belongs to the char family of fish. Brook trout typically measure six to 15 inches and weigh one to five pounds. The hues of brook trout dramatically intensify when the spawning season draws near, especially in males: their flanks and underbellies turn orange-red with a black stripe running along each side.

In Virginia, brook trout are found in high-elevation streams within the cold, clear, and shaded headwaters of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains. These native fish inhabit mountain streams, often above 2,000 feet, which provide the necessary oxygenated, cool water for their survival. 

Mammal: Virginia Big-Eared Bat

One of the two endangered subspecies of Townsend’s big-eared bat, the Virginia big-eared bat was adopted as the official mammal of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2005.

The Virginia big-eared bat’s fur, which is long and soft, ranges from light brown in younger individuals to a darker brown as they mature. The fur color is consistent from the base to the tip, allowing for age estimation based on the overall shade of brown.

This species, which weighs less than half an ounce, is among the bigger cave-dwelling bat species in its range. As its name implies, these bats possess exceptionally big ears relative to their small body size. Their ears are designed for intense passive listening, allowing them to detect the faint sounds of insects without relying solely on echolocation. They also function to boost low-frequency echolocation calls for foraging and may assist with temperature regulation in roosts. 

Marine Fish: Striped Bass

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) was recognized as the official marine fish of Virginia in 2011.

Striped bass are widespread along the Commonwealth of Virginia’s eastern shore.

In Virginia, mature fish can be found inshore, in estuaries, and in freshwater settings. The majority of fish live within five miles of the shore, depending on the time of year. Rivers are an essential spawning environment and are where juvenile fish are typically found.

The striped bass has 7 to 8 distinct, dark horizontal stripes running along each side of its silvery, elongated body.

Reptile: Eastern Garter Snake

The Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) was officially recognized as the official reptile of Virginia in 2016.

The medium-sized, non-venomous Eastern garter snake is a native of North America, including Virginia. Eastern garter snakes can be found on abandoned farms, in outbuildings, grassy or shrubby areas, and trash heaps. They are also found around wet areas, including quarries, lakes, rivers, marshes, bogs, and drainage ditches.

These snakes have a noticeable yellow or white stripe along their greenish, brown, or black bodies. The underside is usually cream to yellowish-green.

Eastern garter snakes are terrestrial and active both day and night. These snakes have the potential to bite or strike, but are generally harmless. They will produce a vile-smelling musk if they feel threatened. While they may congregate in groups when they brumate, Eastern garter snakes are typically solitary.

Amphibian: Red Salamander

The red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) was designated as the official salamander of Virginia in 2018.

One of the largest stream salamanders in North America, red salamanders can grow up to six inches long. They have short tails and a thick build. They are brilliant red to reddish-orange with irregularly shaped, black markings.

The red salamander is widespread throughout Virginia. While they can be found in a range of settings, red salamanders are most often seen along streams, springs, and small creeks.

During the daytime, red salamanders seek cover under rocks and logs to hide from predators. At night, they hunt for and prey on invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Pony: Chincoteague Pony

The Chincoteague Pony (Equus caballus), designated as Virginia’s official state pony in 2023, is a feral, hardy breed. The pony was chosen to honor the herd’s historical significance, cultural impact, and unique, long-standing presence on Assateague Island.

The Chincoteague pony is renowned for its stocky build, pinto coloring, and thick, winter-hardy coat. The horses are thought to be the offspring of horses introduced in the 17th century by Spanish colonists.

Chincoteague ponies are stocky, with broad chests, short necks, and thick manes and tails. They may appear bloated from their diet of marsh grasses.

The Chincoteague Island roundup, held annually, allows veterinary professionals to monitor herd health, check hooves and teeth, and identify new foals. Because they are wild animals, the roundup is conducted by experienced personnel called saltwater cowboys to ensure the safety of the horses and the public. Although the event involves separating the ponies from their habitat temporarily, it is essential for the overall health and sustainability of the herd. 

Pollinator: Honeybee

The Commonwealth of Virginia officially recognized the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official pollinator in 2024.

The honey bee is found throughout Virginia, with a significant presence of beekeepers managing colonies in nearly every county. 

The honey bee is crucial to Virginia, contributing significantly to Virginia’s agriculture through pollination and producing over $2 million in honey each year.