2. State Bird Cardinal Cardinals, sometimes known as Redbirds or Northern Cardinals, do not relocate, and have adapted easily to both city and suburban environments. In fact, both their numbers and their habitat range have grown as population pressures on other species, and the number of backyard birdfeeders, have increased. Cardinals, sometimes known as Redbirds or Northern Cardinals, do not relocate, and have adapted easily to both city and suburban environments. In fact, both their numbers and their habitat range have grown as population pressures on other species, and the number of backyard birdfeeders, have increased.

3. State Mammal Gray Squirrel As an abundant game animal it provided a much needed food source, and some early ways for hunters and training ground for the citizen-soldiers who fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. As an abundant game animal it provided a much needed food source, and some early ways for hunters and training ground for the citizen-soldiers who fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. American RevolutionAmerican Revolution

4. State Dog Plott Hound Back in the mid- to late 1800s, people from as far away as Georgia traveled regularly to Haywood County to get puppies from the Plott’s family. They would arrive with sacks on the backs of their horses to carry home the prized dogs. The Plott’s raised hardworking, dogs that would hunt bear and wild animals with courage. Back in the mid- to late 1800s, people from as far away as Georgia traveled regularly to Haywood County to get puppies from the Plott’s family. They would arrive with sacks on the backs of their horses to carry home the prized dogs. The Plott’s raised hardworking, dogs that would hunt bear and wild animals with courage.Haywood CountyHaywood County http://ncpedia.org/sy mbols/dog http://ncpedia.org/sy mbols/dog http://ncpedia.org/sy mbols/dog http://ncpedia.org/sy mbols/dog

5. State Insect Honeybees Honeybees play an important role for our state as pollinators of several major cash crops such as cotton, fruits and vegetables. We also use their honey and wax. Honeybees play an important role for our state as pollinators of several major cash crops such as cotton, fruits and vegetables. We also use their honey and wax.

6. State Reptile: Turtle Eastern Box Turtle 1979 The turtle is adopted as the official State reptile of the State of North Carolina, and the eastern box turtle is representing the turtles inhabiting North Carolina. The turtle is adopted as the official State reptile of the State of North Carolina, and the eastern box turtle is representing the turtles inhabiting North Carolina.

7. State Fish Freshwater Trout The General Assembly of 2005 named the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout as the official Freshwater Trout for the State of North Carolina. The General Assembly of 2005 named the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout as the official Freshwater Trout for the State of North Carolina. The brook trout is the only trout native to western North Carolina. The brook trout is the only trout native to western North Carolina.

8. State Tree Pine Pine is perhaps the most important type of wood in the construction industry, providing up to half of lumber and wood products required by the industry. Pine is perhaps the most important type of wood in the construction industry, providing up to half of lumber and wood products required by the industry. Being both fast growing and well adapted to sandy regions, the pine has become abounded throughout the state. Being both fast growing and well adapted to sandy regions, the pine has become abounded throughout the state.

9. Flower Dogwood 1941 This dogwood grows in thickets in damp meadows in the mountains of the northwestern corner of North Carolina. This dogwood grows in thickets in damp meadows in the mountains of the northwestern corner of North Carolina.

10. State Gem Emerald A greater variety of minerals, more than 300, have been found in North Carolina than in any other state. A greater variety of minerals, more than 300, have been found in North Carolina than in any other state. These minerals include some of the most unique gems on Earth! These minerals include some of the most unique gems on Earth! http://www.northcarolinaemeralds.info/in dex.htm http://www.northcarolinaemeralds.info/in dex.htm http://www.northcarolinaemeralds.info/in dex.htm http://www.northcarolinaemeralds.info/in dex.htm

11. State Flag The flag of North Carolina shall consist of a blue union, containing in the center thereof a white star with the letter "N" on the left and the letter "C“ on the right of said star, the circle containing the same to be one third of the union. The flag of North Carolina shall consist of a blue union, containing in the center thereof a white star with the letter "N" on the left and the letter "C“ on the right of said star, the circle containing the same to be one third of the union.