Louisiana Symbols

Louisiana Nicknames: Pelican State Bayou State Sportsman's Paradise Child of the Mississippi The Sugar State The Creole state

Come as You are, Leave different Motto: Colors: Slogan: Come as You are, Leave different Motto: Union, Justice, and Confidence Colors: Blue, White and Gold

Brown Pelican State Bird: The brown pelican became Louisiana's official state bird in 1966. Pelicans are famous for their large bill and pouch The birds depend almost entirely on fish . They scoop large quantities of water into their pouches as they seize prey from the water. A one-month old pelican consumes an average of five pounds of fish per day!

Magnolia State Flower: The large creamy-white bloom of the magnolia tree was designated the state flower in 1900 because of the abundance of trees throughout the state. The magnolia is an evergreen. The flower is usually fragrant.

Honey Bee State Insect: The official state insect is the honeybee. It became official in 1977. The bee is recognized as the most economically valuable of all insect. It is a producer of honey and beeswax,. Pollinator of Crops.

Black Bear State Mammal: The black bear became our official state mammal in 1992 .Louisiana black bears sometimes have a distinct white "blaze" on their chest. They weigh from 250 to over 400 pounds.

The alligator lives in the waters and low lands of the state. State Reptile: Alligator The alligator became the official reptile of the state of Louisiana in 1983. The alligator lives in the waters and low lands of the state. A grown male can reach a length of 11 to 12 feet and weigh 450 to 500 pounds.

Bald Cypress State Tree: In 1963, the bald cypress was made the official tree of Louisiana. The bald cypress grows in many swampy areas of the state. Its shape depends on the amount and duration of flooding in the area. Sometimes it is columnar or conical and it can be bottle shaped. The bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, and thin.

State Drink: Milk Milk Milk was adopted as the state drink in 1983. There are 11 certified farm, plant and tanker inspectors and two Public Health Technicians located throughout the state of Louisiana.

State Dog: Catahoula The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the only breed of dog native to Louisiana. It became our official state dog in 1979. Catahoula hound is a cross of a domestic dog the Indians of the Catahoula Lake region raised and a Spanish "war dog" that came with the Spanish in the early 1500's. The dog has glassy eyes, webbed feet, and spotted coat.

White Perch State Fish: The official state freshwater fish is the white perch . It is also known as “Sac-Au-Lait” and white crappie. It was adopted in 1993.            

Crayfish State Crustacean: The crawfish looks like, the lobster, but is very much smaller. Its color varies with the water in which it lives and its variety. Itt is found in swamps and marshes throughout the state. The biggest populations occurs in the basins of the Atchafalaya, Red, and Pearl Rivers. The crawfish was adopted as State Crustacean in 1983.

Green Tree Frog State Amphibian : Louisiana's amphibian, the green tree frog was adopted in 1993. It lives in swamps, borders of lakes and bayous. Their length varies from 32 to 57 centimeters. Their color is usually green. They have a distinctive calling sound, almost like "Duck! Duck!".

State Painting: “Louisiana” "Louisiana" was designated the official painting for the state of Louisiana by Act 981 on June 29, 1995. Contains official symbol as well as many commonly accepted state icons and dominated by the state colors of gold, white and blue. The oil painting was a done by artists Johnny O. Bell and Johnny F. Bell. ( father & son)

State Musical Instrument Diatonic Accordion Louisiana's official musical instrument, the diatonic accordion, commonly known as the "Cajun" accordion, was adopted in 1990. . The diatonic accordion has a four rows of reeds and a single row of buttons, in three octaves.

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