Idaho State Animals

State animal (domestic): Appaloosa Horse

An Appaloosa is a breed of horse developed in the Pacific Northwest.The name comes from the Palouse region where they were bred. These horses have a specific coat pattern that features spots. It is thought that the ancestors of Appaloosa horses were brought to America by Spanish conquistadors in the 1600's changing the lives of Native American Indian tribes such as the Nez Perce.

State bird: Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

Mountain Bluebirds are small, slim, long-winged thrushes. Males have a turquoise blue head and back, slightly paler breast, deep blue wings and tail, and a whitish belly and undertail coverts. Females are brownish gray with a white belly and undertail coverts, and a touch of blue on the tail. These birds have a very strong attraction for burned areas in the first few years after a fire, especially those with many standing dead trees, as they find nice nesting space in the wholes made by woodpeckers. Due to current fire-suppressing efforts, as well as a decline in logging and grazing, however, the Mountain Bluebird population has declined.

State fish: Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clark)

The cutthroat can be found in fresh, brackish or salt water in North America mostly west of the Rocky Mountains. This fish species is well-known in recreational fishing circles. They are rather large (12-15 inches long) are can be hard fighters. The flesh is orange-red, rich and of excellent flavor when smoked, fried or baked.

State insect: Monarch Butterfly

The monarch butterfly is commonly referred to as "the king of the insect world". Although they are very small, they travel great distances to escape cold weather and, although not a single one makes it all the way back home, they travel in identical migration patterns, thus, their offspring often make it back to the starting point.