Officially recognized as the Michigan state reptile in 1995, the painted turtle has yellow and red markings and is the only turtle still commonly found throughout the state.
The Mastodon disappeared from North America around 10,000 years ago with an almost complete skeleton being found near Owosso, Michigan. The most intact trail of footprints was uncovered near Ann Arbor and remains have been found in over 250 locations all over the state!
Found in all of Michigan’s 83 counties, the white-tailed deer can run up to 40 miles per hour and swim up to 13 miles per hour. This beautiful powerhouse was a huge source of food and buckskin for Native Americans and early Michigan settlers.
Michigan has yet to adopt any state beverage, but most Michiganders will attest that it’s Vernors. Created by pharmacist James Vernor in Detroit, Vernors is a highly carbonated ginger-ale pop and was sold exclusively in Detroit for several years after its creation.
This rare Michigan wildflower thrives in low, wet spots, so it’s only found along the coastlines of northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron as well as a few other isolated areas.