State Symbols of Montana

I vividly remember sitting in my third-grade class learning about Montana’s state symbols. It’s a long list – the state animal, the state bird, state flower, state fish, state butterfly, state fossil, and the list goes on. But what caught my attention – after having to learn the state song “Montana” – was a story about a class of sixth graders that petitioned the legislature and Governor of Montana to adopt the Maiasaura peeblesorum as the state fossil.

Maiasaura at the Old Trail Museum

Why did it stand out to me? Well, it turns out this class of sixth graders was from Livingston, Montana – hmmmm I thought, that’s where my dad grew up and my grandmother taught for years, I wonder … and then my unfinished thoughts were confirmed when my teacher mentioned the name Helen Peterson – yup that was my grandma, and now I was hooked! The discussion around the dinner table was lively that night with so many questions from our lesson, my younger brother – a dinosaur expert at the age of 5, and parents who must have all the answers.

That long list of Montana State Symbols has grown even longer as of May 2023 when Montana Governor Gianforte signed House Bill 880 naming the Huckleberry as Montana’s official state fruit!

I know you are all waiting with bated breath to learn more about each of these symbols so let’s dig in! AND if you have younger kids at home don’t miss our collection of coloring pages and fact sheets found throughout this article!

A Guide to the State Symbols of Montana

The Montana State Fossil: Maiasaura (Maiasaura peeblesorum)

Jack Horner’s discovery of the Maiasaura, or the “good mother dinosaur,” at Egg Mountain marked a significant find in paleontology. Dinosaurs, cared for their young and (at least this species) are thought to have lived in herds! Egg Mountain, just outside of Choteau, Montana, was the first single location where fully grown dinosaurs, juveniles and fossilzed eggs were uncovered. This find was imperative to the understanding of dinosaur biology as paleontologists were able to study each stage of development in a single species.

Did you know!?! There are 7 states that have not adopted a state fossil? Montana, rich in dinosaur bones, is of course not one of those states. In fact, Montana was among the first fifteen states to adopt a state fossil, making the Maiasaura an official representative of Montana on February 22, 1985. Thanks, at least in part, to my grandmother’s rambunctious class of sixth graders.

Miasaura - Good Mother Dinosaur Fact Sheet and Coloring Page
Download the Maiasaura Coloring Page and Fact Sheet

State Animal of Montana: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

The grizzly bear was named the official state animal of Montana on April 7, 1983. The estimated population of grizzly bears in the contiguous United States is ~1,500 bears, 800 of which can be found in Montana!

In Montana, both black bears and grizzly bears are common. This often leads to a question of how to tell the two species apart. Here’s a couple of significant differences that can help you tell them apart! Black bears have short claws meant for climbing (about 1.5 inches), they have a straight nose, tall pointed ears, and no shoulder hump. Grizzly bears on the other hand, have long claws made for digging (2-4 inches), a dish to their noise, short round years, and a prominent shoulder hump.

Fun Fact: Grizzly Bears can run up to 30 miles per hour and can weigh as much as 1600 pounds!

Grizzly Bear Fact Sheet and Coloring Page
Download the Grizzly Bear Coloring Page and Fact Sheet

The Montana State Butterfly: Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

In 2001, House Bill no. 365 named the Mourning Cloak Montana’s state butterfly. Mourning Cloaks are an abundant species and can be found not only across the US, but across the globe. When presented for consideration as a state symbol, many were skeptical – why choose an insect that is not unique to Montana? But arguments were made in favor of this beauty and its parallel to life in Montana. These butterflies are often the first to emerge after winter, and like Mourning Cloaks, Montanans are resilient. It was this fact that led to their adoption as a state symbol.

Did you know?! Mourning Cloak Butterflies got their name due to the similarity in colors to traditional mourning cloaks worn following the death of a loved one.

Mourning Cloak Montana State Butterfly Fact Sheet and Coloring Page
Download the Mourning Cloak Butterfly Coloring Page and Fact Sheet

State Tree of Montana: Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)

In 1908, the school children of Helena, Montana held a referendum to determine which tree best represented Montana as the state symbol. The Ponderosa pine easily outdistanced fir, larch, and cottonwood for the designation, however despite the students best efforts, it would take another 41 years for the legislature to bestow its blessing. In 1949, it was a campaign by the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs that finally swayed the decision.

Fun Fact the Lewis and Clark expedition, with the help of the Nez Perce tribe, built dugout canoes using ponderosa pines. These dugouts were roughly 30-feet long, 3-feet wide and could carry between 2 and 3 tons, making them exceptional vessels for a cross-country expedition!

Ponderosa Pine Montana State Tree Fact Sheet and Coloring Page
Download the Ponderosa Pine Coloring Page and Fact Sheet

State Fruit of Montana: Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)

The huckleberry holds a special place in the hearts of Montanans, making it an easy choice to become the official state fruit in 2007. Known for its sweet yet tangy flavor, huckleberries thrive in the wild landscapes of Montana, particularly in the high mountain slopes and forests. Unlike most berries, huckleberries resist cultivation, which only adds to their mystique and allure—they can only be found through foraging adventures or in local markets and eateries.

Fun Fact: Huckleberries are a favorite snack of Montana’s wildlife, especially black bears and grizzlies! They’re also a versatile ingredient in local delicacies like huckleberry pies, syrups, and even ice cream. If you visit Montana in late summer, be sure to try a fresh-picked huckleberry treat—you’ll quickly see why this wild berry is such a treasured part of the state’s identity.

State Symbols of Montana Symbol Year Adopted
State Animal Grizzly Bear 1982
State Fossil Miasaura 1985
State Butterfly Mourning Cloak 2001
State Gem Sapphire and Agate 1969
State Song “Montana” 1945
State Flower Bitterroot 1895
State Bird Western Meadowlark 1931
State Fish Westslope Cutthroat Trout 1977
State Fruit Huckleberry 2023
State Tree Ponderosa Pine 1949
State Soil Scobey Soil 2015
State Grass Bluebunch Wheatgrass 1973

While I started this post as student in a third-grade class, it wasn’t until much later that I truly appreciated what these symbols of Montana represent. The lifestyle, wildlife, and landscapes of Montana are truly unique and these symbols, while only a sliver of the full picture of our incredible state, represent so much of the place I have the privilege to call home!