Official State Dinosaurs and Fossils
All dinosaurs can be fossils. All fossils are not dinosaurs. We have grouped dinosaurs and fossils together on this list because of the naming conventions used by some states when adopting official dinosaurs. Some states adopted dinosaurs as official "fossils" and some adopted dinosaurs as official "dinosaurs." Use the "Categories" list box to see exactly how many states adopted dinosaurs as official state "dinosaurs."
| Official dinosaurs and fossils listed by state. (List by state or year) | |||
State |
Name | Designated as | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Basilosaurus cetoides (Whale) | Official State of Alabama fossil | 1984 |
| Alaska | Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) | Official state fossil | 1986 |
| Arizona | Petrified Wood (Araucarioxylon arizonicum) | Official state fossil | 1988 |
| Arkansas | [ None ] | ||
| California | Sabre-toothed Cat (Smilodon californicus) | Official State Fossil | 1973 |
| Colorado | Stegasaurus (Plated dinosaur) | Official state fossil | 1982 |
| Connecticut | Dinosaur footprints of Eubrontes giganteus | State fossil | 1991 |
| Delaware | Belemnite (Belemnitella americana) | Official State fossil | 1996 |
| Florida | [ None ] | ||
| Georgia | Shark Tooth | Official Georgia State fossil | 1978 |
| Hawaii | [ None ] | ||
| Idaho | Hagerman Horse Fossil (Equus simplicidens) | State fossil | 1988 |
| Illinois | The Tully Monster (Tullimonstrum gregarium) | Official State fossil | 1989 |
| Indiana | [ None ] | ||
| Iowa | [ None ] | ||
| Kansas | [ None ] | ||
| Kentucky | Brachiopod | State fossil | 1986 |
| Louisiana | Petrified Palmwood | Official State fossil | 1976 |
| Maine | Pertica quadrifaria | Official fossil | 1985 |
| Maryland | Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae (Snail) | State fossil shell | 1994 |
| Maryland | Astrodon johnstoni (Sauropod dinosaur) | State dinosaur | 1998 |
| Massachusetts | Dinosaur Track | Fossil of fossil emblem | 1980 |
| Michigan | [ None ] | ||
| Michigan | Mastodon (Mammut americanum) | Official fossil | 2002 |
| Minnesota | [ None ] | ||
| Mississippi | Prehistoric Whales (Basilosaurus cetoides & Zygorhiza) | Official fossil | 1981 |
| Missouri | Fossilized remains of Crinoidea (Delocrinus missouriensis) | Official State fossil | 1989 |
| Montana | Duck-billed Dinosaur (Maiasaura peeblesorum) | Official Montatna State fossil | 1985 |
| Nebraska | Mammoth | Official State fossil | 1967 |
| Nevada | Ichthyosaur (Shonisaurus popularis) | Official State fossil | 1977 |
| New Hampshire | [ None ] | ||
| New Jersey | Hadrosaurus foulkii (Duck-billed Dinosaur) | State dinosaur | 1991 |
| New Mexico | Coelophysis Dinosaur (Coelophysis bauri) | Official fossil | 1981 |
| New York | Sea Scorpion (Eurypterus remipes) | Official fossil | 1984 |
| North Carolina | [ None ] | ||
| North Dakota | Teredo Petrified Wood (Shipworm-bored petrified wood) | Official fossil | 1967 |
| Ohio | Trilobite (Isotelus) | Official invertebrate Fossil | 1985 |
| Oklahoma | Saurophaganax maximus (Theropod dinosaur) | State fossil | 2000 |
| Oklahoma | Acrocanthosaurus atokensis | State dinosaur | 2006 |
| Oregon | Metasequoia | Official fossil | 2005 |
| Pennsylvania | Phacops rana (Trilobite) | Official State fossil | 1988 |
| Rhode Island | [ None ] | ||
| South Carolina | [ None ] | ||
| South Dakota | Triceratops (Horned dinosaur) | Official fossil | 1988 |
| Tennessee | Pterotrigonia thoracica (Bivalve mollusk) | Official fossil | 1998 |
| Texas | Paluxysaurus jonesi (Quadrupedal sauropod) | Official Lone Star State dinosaur | 2009 |
| Utah | Allosaurus (Theropod dinosaur) | State fossil | 1988 |
| Vermont | White Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) | State fossil | 1993 |
| Virginia | Chesapecten jeffersonius (Bivalve scallop) | Official fossil | 1993 |
| Washington | Columbian Mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) | Official fossil | 1998 |
| West Virginia | Megalonyx Jeffersonnii | State fossil | 2008 |
| Wisconsin | Trilobite (Calymene celebra) | State fossil | 1986 |
| Wyoming | Knightia (Fish) | State fossil | 1987 |
| Wyoming | Triceratops (Horned dinosaur) | State dinosaur | 1994 |
Stately Fossils: A Comprehensive Look at the State Fossils and Other Official Fossils, by Steve Brusatte. 234 pages. Publisher: Fossil News (September 2002) The definitive stories of how our state fossils, state dinosaurs and other state stones and gems were proposed and selected. And what a marvelous array of specimens and species have been elevated to such lofty status! We note that 'stately fossils' run the gamut of variety and time. From trilobites and brachiopods through fossil whales (Tully) monsters, and so many incredible species in between, spanning the three Phanerozoic eras. Steve has traced the story of how fossils became "the" state fossils all the way back to an early period in the emerging science of paleontology in America. In these unfolding tales, Steve relates many intriguing details concerning the adoption of fossils carrying special significance in 44 of our 50 states. This book is written clearly & informatively. It succeeds as a book that both young & old can enjoy. For each entry Steve describes the history of discoveries of each fossil, the occurrence and paleoecology pf the species and circumstances leading toward legislation of the fossils as the official "state fossils." |
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Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages, by Dr. Thomas R. Holtz Jr. 432 pages. Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (October 23, 2007) Reading level: Ages 12+. Written by a professional paleontologist specifically for young readers, this guide to the Dinosauria is packed with enough detail and insider information to satisfy even die-hard dinophiles! The text includes brief entries on all 800+ "named" species of Mesozoic dinosaurs, as well as chapters on the history of dinosaur discoveries, the science of dinosaur art, dinosaur biology, and much more. With sidebars by 33 world-famous paleontologists, museum-quality illustrations, and over 20 never-beforeseen restorations of new dinosaur species, this is a must-have compendium of fact and fandom that dino enthusiasts of all ages will devour with glee! |
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Fossils, by David Ward. 320 pages. Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (September 1, 2010) A new edition of the clearest, most authoritative guide to rocks, minerals and fossils you will find. Packed with more than 1,000 amazing photographs of over 500 species, this handbook is designed to cut through the complicated identification process and enable you to recognize species instantly. Covers everything from what a fossil is, how they are classified to how to start a collection. Perfect for fossil lovers - a comprehensive guide for collectors. |
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