What Is the Idaho State Animal? A Guide to the Gem State's Official Species

Reviewed by Garrett Pancheri and Dustin Cagle
Team Leaders, Living In Idaho | LPT Realty | View Profile

If you've searched for the Idaho state animal and come away confused, there's a good reason: Idaho doesn't have one single official "state animal." Instead, the Gem State honors its remarkable wildlife by naming an official species in several categories: a bird, a horse, a fish, a raptor, and more. As a team that helps people relocate to Idaho, we think these symbols are one of the most charming ways to get to know the state you're thinking of calling home. Here's the full, accurate rundown.

Discover life in Idaho Is Idaho a good place to live? | Idaho communities

What Is the Idaho State Animal?

Idaho has not designated a single "state animal" or state mammal. Instead, the state legislature has adopted official animals across several categories. The best-known is the Appaloosa, Idaho's state horse the spotted breed developed by the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people which many Idahoans consider the state's signature animal. Idaho also recognizes the mountain bluebird (state bird), peregrine falcon (state raptor), cutthroat trout (state fish), monarch butterfly (state insect), and Idaho giant salamander (state amphibian), among others.

Key Takeaways

1. No single state animal. Idaho names official species by category rather than one overall animal or mammal.
2. The Appaloosa is the icon. As state horse, the Nez Perce–bred Appaloosa is the animal most associated with Idaho.
3. The mountain bluebird is the state bird, adopted all the way back in 1931.
4. Several were proposed by students, including the monarch butterfly and the 2023 state dinosaur.
5. The symbols reflect Idaho's landscape: mountains, rivers, forests, and ranching heritage.

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer
• Key Takeaways
• Does Idaho Have an Official State Animal?
• Idaho's Official State Animals at a Glance
• The Appaloosa: Idaho's State Horse
• The Mountain Bluebird: Idaho's State Bird
• The Rest of Idaho's Official Animals
• Why Idaho's State Symbols Matter to Newcomers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• The Bottom Line

Does Idaho Have an Official State Animal?

No, and this trips up a lot of people. Unlike states that name a single official animal (think Montana's grizzly bear or California's grizzly), Idaho has never designated one overarching "state animal" or state mammal. What Idaho does instead, through acts of the state legislature recorded by the Idaho Secretary of State and listed among the state's official facts and symbols, is name an official species in specific categories: a state bird, state horse, state fish, state raptor, state insect, state amphibian, and even a state fossil and state dinosaur.

So when people ask "what is the Idaho state animal," the most accurate answer is that it depends on the category and the animal most people have in mind is the Appaloosa horse, which carries the deepest cultural significance in the state. Each of these designations is written into Idaho law; the state's official symbols are set out in the Idaho Statutes (Title 67, Chapter 45).

Idaho's Official State Animals at a Glance

Here are the official animal species Idaho has adopted, with the year each was designated:

Source: Idaho Secretary of State, Office of the Secretary of State — State Symbols.

The Appaloosa: Idaho's State Horse

If any animal deserves the unofficial title of "Idaho's animal," it's the Appaloosa. Designated the state horse on March 25, 1975, this spotted breed is inseparable from the history of the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people, who selectively bred the horses for intelligence, endurance, and agility across the Palouse country of north-central Idaho. The breed's name is widely believed to trace back to the Palouse River "a Palouse" gradually becoming "Appaloosa."

The Appaloosa's story is also one of resilience. Tribal herds were devastated during the Nez Perce War of 1877 and Chief Joseph's roughly 1,300-mile flight, yet public fascination with the breed endured. In 1938, horsemen in Moscow, Idaho, founded the Appaloosa Horse Club to preserve it. Today the breed is recognized worldwide for its distinctive spotted coat, striped hooves, and mottled skin no two patterns quite alike.

The Mountain Bluebird: Idaho's State Bird

Adopted in 1931, the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is one of Idaho's oldest official symbols. The male is a brilliant sky blue, a little smaller than a robin, while the female is a softer blue-grey. A member of the thrush family, it favors open grasslands and nests in tree cavities, rock crevices, and nest boxes, recognizable by its distinctive zig-zagging flight. Fittingly for the Gem State, it's a splash of jewel-toned color against the mountain landscape and interesting trivia for newcomers, it's also the state bird of neighboring Nevada. Idaho's rivers and forests support a remarkable range of wildlife, much of it managed by Idaho Fish and Game.

The Rest of Idaho's Official Animals

Beyond the horse and the bluebird, Idaho's roster reads like a tour of the state's ecosystems:

• Peregrine Falcon (state raptor, 2004). Among the fastest animals on Earth, reaching speeds that can top 200 mph in a hunting dive. It even appears on the Idaho state quarter.
• Cutthroat Trout (state fish, 1990). Named for the red-orange slash beneath its jaw, and native to Idaho's cold, clear rivers. Its scientific name honors William Clark of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
• Monarch Butterfly (state insect, 1992). A famous long-distance migrator, introduced as a symbol by Boise elementary students.
• Idaho Giant Salamander (state amphibian, 2015). The largest salamander in the state, living almost exclusively in Idaho's moist coniferous forests and growing up to about 13 inches.
• Hagerman Horse (state fossil, 1988). A roughly 3.5-million-year-old ancestor of the modern horse, discovered in southern Idaho — a fitting companion to the living Appaloosa.
• Oryctodromeus (state dinosaur, 2023). A small, burrowing plant-eater from eastern Idaho, designated thanks to the efforts of Idaho students and paleontologists.

Why Idaho's State Symbols Matter to Newcomers

These designations are more than trivia. Taken together, Idaho's official animals sketch a portrait of the place: a ranching heritage carried by the Appaloosa, cold rivers full of native trout, forests that shelter salamanders and bluebirds, and skies patrolled by falcons. For anyone considering a move, they're a window into the outdoor lifestyle that defines daily life here. If that landscape appeals to you, our guide to what it's like living in Idaho digs into the day-to-day reality, and you can browse the best places to live in Idaho to see where you might fit.

Explore Living in Idaho

Have questions about moving here? Call or Text (208) 586-3066

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Idaho have one official state animal?

No. Idaho has not named one single state animal or state mammal. It designates official species by category, and the animal most associated with the state is the Appaloosa, Idaho's state horse.

Does Idaho have a state mammal?

No. Idaho has not adopted an official state mammal. The Appaloosa horse is the closest equivalent, serving as the official state horse since 1975.

What is the Idaho state bird?

The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) has been Idaho's state bird since 1931. It's also the state bird of Nevada.

What is the Idaho state fish?

The cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) became Idaho's state fish in 1990. It's native to the state's cold, clear rivers and named for the red-orange slash under its jaw.

What animal is Idaho famous for?

Idaho is most famous for the Appaloosa horse, the spotted breed developed by the Nez Perce people and designated the state horse. The state is also known for native cutthroat trout and abundant wildlife across its mountains and rivers.

Does Idaho have a state fruit?

Yes. The huckleberry is Idaho's state fruit, adopted in 2000. It grows wild in the mountains and is a favorite food of both people and bears.

The Bottom Line

So while there's no single Idaho state animal, that's really part of the Gem State's charm. From the Appaloosa's Nez Perce legacy to the mountain bluebird's flash of color, Idaho's official animals tell the story of its land, water, and heritage. For newcomers, they're a delightful introduction to the wild, outdoor character of the state. If getting to know Idaho has you thinking about a move, Garrett Pancheri and Dustin Cagle at Living In Idaho are always happy to help you explore what life here could look like.