The California grizzly bear is the state animal of California and appears on the state flag. It was designated as the state animal in 1953, long after other state symbols. The last known California grizzly bear was shot in 1922 due to ranchers and settlers protecting their livestock. Other state symbols include the California quail, golden trout, California gray whale, saber-toothed cat, and California dog-faced butterfly.
California’s state animal is the California grizzly bear, scientific name Ursus californicus. A California grizzly bear adorns the state flag and serves as a symbol of power. Lawmakers designated the California grizzly as the state animal of California in 1953, long after other state symbols had been designated.
A carnivore, the California grizzly bear was thought by some to be more of a problem than a attribute in the region. Settlers who moved to California found the animal in much of the region, including valleys and coastal areas of the state. The discovery of gold in the region and the influx of settlers and livestock were largely responsible for the animal’s eventual disappearance in California.
The last California grizzly bear known to exist in California was shot in 1922 according to the California State Library. Livestock protection was a priority, and grizzlies became a target of ranchers and other settlers. Perhaps the outcome would have been different if the bear had survived until the founding of the California Fish and Game Commission 20 years later.
California grizzlies graced the state flag before being recognized as the state animal of California. In fact, the depiction of the bear on the state flag was adopted as the official state flag in 1911. Known as the Bear Flag, it would later be updated to meet stringent standards regarding the correct representation of the grizzly bear on the flag .
In January 1953, the California legislature introduced legislation to make California’s state animal official. During this process, the legislature also took the time to define the exact characteristics and placement of California’s new state animal on the state flag. Among the requirements for grizzly placement is that the grizzly must be placed on green grass facing left. The legislation also designated the correct colors of the bear’s various features and the background of the flag.
Other California state animal symbols have also been adopted over the years. Some preceded the grizzly’s adoption as a state animal and others followed suit. Prior to the grizzly’s adoption, the state of California adopted its state bird, the California quail, in 1931 and its state fish, the golden trout, in 1947. The state marine mammal, the California gray whale , was made official in 1975. Other state symbols include the state fossil, the saber-toothed cat, and the state insect, the California dog-faced butterfly.
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