The stories behind South Carolina’s emblems
Palmetto pride
Story by Sheila Paz
South Carolina’s rich history and diverse natural beauty are vividly captured through its array of state symbols, each chosen to represent an aspect of the state’s heritage. From the melodic Carolina wren to the resilient Loggerhead sea turtle, these icons embody the spirit and culture of South Carolina. Here are a few of our favorites and the fascinating stories of how they came to be.
State bird: Carolina Wren
The Mockingbird was South Carolina’s state bird until 1948, when it was replaced by the Carolina Wren. Known for its distinctive and melodious song, which sounds like “tea-ket-tle, tea-ket-tle,” the Carolina Wren is a cherished symbol of the state’s rich natural environment. This small, energetic bird is recognized for its vibrant personality and persistent singing, which can be heard year round across South Carolina’s diverse landscapes.
State dog: Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel, the only dog breed developed in South Carolina, was designated as the state dog in 1985. Renowned for their exceptional hunting skills and friendly disposition, Boykin Spaniels have become beloved pets and reliable hunting companions across the nation. Their intelligence, agility and affectionate nature make them a symbol of South Carolina’s sporting and cultural heritage.
State amphibian: Spotted Salamander
The Spotted Salamander is an amphibian native to South Carolina. Recognizable by its glossy black or dark gray skin adorned with bright yellow or orange spots, this species is found throughout the state, thriving in moist, forested areas. In 1999, the Spotted Salamander was designated the state amphibian, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of a third-grade class from Woodland Heights Elementary School in Spartanburg.
State insect: Carolina Mantid
Designated as the official state insect in 1988, the Carolina Mantid varies in color from gray to brownish-tan to light green and grows to approximately 2 1/2 inches. It was chosen as the state insect because it is a native, beneficial insect easily recognizable throughout the state. It symbolizes the importance of entomology in agriculture by helping control harmful insects and serves as an excellent specimen for educational purposes.
State game bird: Wild Turkey
Designated as the official state wild game bird in 1976, the Wild Turkey is characterized by its small, featherless blue head and dark brown to black feathers. Males also have a red throat. Wild turkeys are commonly found in forests throughout South Carolina.
State heritage horse: Marsh Tacky
The Marsh Tacky was designated the official state heritage horse in 2010. This colonial Spanish horse breed is unique to South Carolina and has played a significant role in the state’s development and defense. Integral to early Lowcountry communities, the Marsh Tacky provided essential transportation and agricultural horsepower. The Carolina Marsh Tacky Association, established in 2007, works to preserve and promote this rare breed.
State butterfly: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Designated as the state butterfly in 1994, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is celebrated for its crucial role in pollination. This butterfly, easily recognizable by its striking yellow and black markings, is commonly found near woods, streams and urban areas throughout South Carolina. Its presence across diverse habitats underscores its ecological importance and its contribution to the natural beauty of the state.
State spider: Carolina Wolf Spider
The Carolina Wolf Spider was designated as the official state spider in 2000. As the largest wolf spider species in North America, it measures three to four inches. Known for its speed and skittish nature, the Carolina Wolf Spider is generally not aggressive. They inhabit a variety of environments across South Carolina, including forests, grasslands and residential areas.
State animal: White-Tailed Deer
Designated as the state animal in 1972, the White-Tailed Deer is renowned for its adaptability. It undergoes seasonal coat changes — from a reddish-brown hue in the spring to a gray-brown shade in the fall and winter. This adaptability helps it blend with its environment throughout the year. The species is also easily identified by the distinctive white underside of its tail, which it flashes as a warning signal to other deer when sensing danger.
State duck: Wood Duck
Designated as the official state duck in 2009, the Wood Duck is often regarded as the most beautiful duck in North America due to its striking colors. Measuring 17 to 20 inches in length and weighing around 1.5 pounds, the Wood Duck has webbed feet and sharp claws, allowing it to perch on trees. It inhabits woodland ponds, lakes, swamps and marshes in South Carolina, feeding on vegetation and insects.
State reptile: Loggerhead Sea Turtle
In 1988, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle was named South Carolina’s state reptile, thanks to the efforts of a fifth-grade class from Ninety-Six. These endangered turtles find South Carolina’s beaches to be vital nesting grounds, where they lay their eggs and continue their life cycle. The designation underscores the importance of conserving these critical habitats and highlights the state’s commitment to protecting its unique wildlife.
State marine mammal: Bottlenose Dolphin
In 2009, the Bottlenose Dolphin was designated as South Carolina’s state marine mammal. This intelligent species is a common sight in the state’s coastal waters. Local Bottlenose Dolphins are particularly known for their unique “strand feeding” technique, where dolphins collaboratively drive fish onto the shore, making them easier to catch. This behavior highlights the dolphin’s adaptability and ingenuity, making it a fitting symbol of South Carolina’s marine life.
State shell: Lettered Olive
The Lettered Olive, Olive Sayana, was named the official state shell in 1984. Discovered and named by Dr. Edmund Ravenel of South Carolina for its hieroglyphic-like markings, the Lettered Olive has a smooth, shiny, cylindrical shape. It is typically found in shallow waters near the shore and is prolific along the South Carolina coast.
State fossil: Columbian mammoth
In 2014 the Columbian mammoth was declared South Carolina’s state fossil, thanks to 8-year-old Olivia McConnell’s suggestion. This honors the 1725 discovery of mammoth teeth in a South Carolina swamp, the first vertebrate fossils identified in North America. The Columbian mammoth, a species known for its enormous size, roamed the region during the Pleistocene epoch until its extinction around 11,000 years ago.
State gemstone: Amethyst
Amethyst was designated the state gemstone in 1969, recognizing South Carolina as one of the few states with high-quality amethyst deposits. A notable discovery was made in 2008 near Antreville in Abbeville County, where a 118-pound cluster was unearthed. This impressive specimen is now displayed at the South Carolina State Museum.
State fish: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass was named the official state fish in 1972. The landlocked Striped Bass originated in the Santee Cooper Lakes, which are renowned for some of the best Striped Bass fishing in the world. These game fish, often weighing 30 to 40 pounds, have also been stocked in all of South Carolina’s major reservoirs.
State tree: Palmetto tree
The Palmetto tree was designated as the official state tree in 1939. Symbolic of the defeat of the British fleet at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, the fort was constructed of Palmetto logs, which absorbed the impact of cannonballs. The South Carolina Palmetto, classified as “Inodes Palmetto” or “Sabal Palmetto” and commonly known as the cabbage Palmetto, reflects the state’s historical resilience and is featured on the state flag.
State flower: Yellow Jessamine
Adopted as the official state flower in 1924, Yellow Jessamine is indigenous to every part of South Carolina. This climbing woody vine features evergreen leaves and small, yellow, tubular, fragrant flowers that bloom in clusters.
State grass: Indiangrass
Indiangrass was designated as the official state grass in 2001. This native, perennial, warm-season grass grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is an important component of South Carolina’s natural prairies and meadows.
State wildflower: Goldenrod
Goldenrod was designated as the official state wildflower in 2003, following the efforts of the state wildflower chairman of the Garden Club of South Carolina. This hardy plant, with its bright yellow flowers, blooms in late summer and early fall and is found throughout the state in fields, meadows and along roadsides.