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From desert valleys to snow-capped mountain peaks, Nevada’s diverse landscapes support an impressive variety of native plants and animals. Over time, many of these species have become closely connected to the state’s identity and history.
To celebrate this natural heritage, Nevada has officially designated several wildlife and plant species as state symbols. These symbols represent the ecosystems that define the Silver State — from the desert bighorn sheep and desert tortoise of the Mojave Desert to the Lahontan cutthroat trout of ancient Lake Lahontan and the bristlecone pine of high mountain forests.
Nevada’s state symbols are often used in social studies and science lessons to help students connect classroom learning with the landscapes and wildlife they see around them. Learning about these species provides insight into how geography shapes ecosystems and why native plants and animals are an important part of Nevada’s story.
Each section below includes basic identification information, habitat details, and the year each species was officially designated as a Nevada state symbol.
Flag of the State of Nevada, the Silver State.
Desert bighorn sheep. Photo by Neal Herbert/NPS.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
The desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) was designated Nevada's State Animal in 1973.
The desert bighorn sheep is one of Nevada’s most recognizable wildlife symbols. Adapted to steep, rocky terrain and arid desert conditions, these sheep are commonly found in mountain ranges throughout the Mojave Desert and other dry regions of the state.
Adult males, known as rams, stand about 3 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh around 170 pounds. They are easily identified by their large, curved horns, which can weigh up to 30 pounds. Females, called ewes, are smaller, typically weighing around 125 pounds and having shorter, more slender horns. Their tan coats help them blend into rocky desert landscapes, providing natural camouflage from predators.
Desert bighorn sheep are herbivores, feeding on grasses, shrubs, and other desert vegetation. They are well adapted to dry environments and can obtain much of the moisture they need from the plants they eat. In the wild, they typically live 6 to 10 years.
Desert bighorn sheep have also held cultural significance for Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin. In some Native traditions, the bighorn sheep was associated with strength and endurance and was sometimes referred to as the “Old Nagah.” Rock art throughout Nevada includes depictions of bighorn sheep, reflecting their long-standing importance in the region’s history.
Historically, desert bighorn sheep were far more numerous across Nevada’s mountain ranges. Over time, unregulated hunting, habitat loss, and competition with domestic livestock reduced their populations significantly. By the early 20th century, numbers had declined sharply in many areas.
As wildlife management improved, laws were passed to protect bighorn sheep and their habitat. Conservation programs, habitat restoration efforts, and carefully managed hunting regulations have helped populations recover in many parts of the state. Today, desert bighorn sheep numbers are increasing, and the species stands as an example of how conservation efforts can make a difference.
The desert bighorn sheep represents resilience and adaptation to Nevada’s rugged desert environments, making it a fitting symbol of the state’s natural heritage.
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
The Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus henshawi) was designated Nevada's State Fish in 1981. It is native to waters of the ancient Lake Lahontan basin and remains closely associated with Pyramid Lake in northwestern Nevada.
Like other trout, it is a cold-water species that depends on clean, well-oxygenated rivers, streams, and lakes. The lake-form variant found in Pyramid Lake is the largest cutthroat trout in the world. The official world-record Lahontan cutthroat trout, caught at Pyramid Lake, weighed 41 pounds.
The Lahontan cutthroat trout has long held cultural importance for Indigenous peoples of the Lahontan Basin. For generations, Native communities relied on the fish for food, cultural traditions, and community life. The trout remains an important part of the region’s history and identity.
During the 1800s, large-scale commercial harvesting and habitat changes dramatically reduced Lahontan cutthroat trout populations. The species was eventually extirpated (locally eliminated) from Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River, where it had once been abundant.
Today, the Lahontan cutthroat trout is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation programs and cooperative management efforts have helped restore populations in parts of Nevada.
The Lahontan cutthroat trout represents Nevada’s unique watershed history and the importance of protecting native species that evolved within the state’s distinct basins.
For more detailed information about this species, see our article on the Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Lahontan cutthroat trout. USFWS photo.
Desert tortoise. USFWS photo.
Desert Tortoise
The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) was designated Nevada’s State Reptile in 1989. It lives in the Mojave Desert of southern Nevada and is well adapted to hot, dry environments.
Desert tortoises spend much of their lives in underground burrows, where they escape extreme heat and cold. These burrows also provide shelter for other desert animals. Tortoises are herbivores, feeding on grasses, wildflowers, and other desert plants. They can live for several decades, and some individuals may live 50 years or more.
Over time, habitat loss, disease, and human development reduced desert tortoise populations in parts of the Mojave Desert. Today, the species is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Protected habitat areas and conservation programs help support tortoise populations in Nevada.
The desert tortoise represents survival and adaptation in one of North America’s most challenging environments. As Nevada’s State Reptile, it highlights the importance of protecting fragile desert ecosystems.
Vivid Dancer Damselfly
The vivid dancer damselfly (Argia vivida) was designated Nevada’s State Insect in 2009. It is commonly found near streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands throughout the state.
Damselflies begin life in the water as aquatic nymphs. During this stage, they live beneath the surface and feed on small aquatic organisms. After months or even years underwater, they emerge and transform into winged adults. This life cycle connects the vivid dancer closely to healthy freshwater ecosystems.
As an aquatic insect, the vivid dancer damselfly plays an important role in Nevada’s food web. Its nymphs provide food for fish such as the Lahontan cutthroat trout, while adult damselflies are eaten by birds and other wildlife. The presence of damselflies can also indicate good water quality.
Because it is both easy to observe and closely connected to Nevada’s streams and wetlands, the vivid dancer damselfly provides a helpful example of how insects, fish, and other wildlife are linked within freshwater ecosystems.
Vivid dancer damselfly. Photo by Judy Gallagher, CC by 2.0.
Mountain bluebird. USFWS photo.
Mountain Bluebird
The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) was designated Nevada’s State Bird in 1967. It is commonly found in open woodlands, sagebrush valleys, and mountain meadows throughout the state.
Male mountain bluebirds are bright sky-blue, while females are more softly colored with grayish-blue tones. Their striking blue coloration makes them one of the most recognizable birds in Nevada, especially during spring and summer.
Mountain bluebirds feed primarily on insects during the warmer months and switch to berries in winter. They often perch on fence posts or shrubs while scanning the ground for food. Many populations migrate seasonally, traveling south in colder months and returning to Nevada’s higher elevations in spring.
Because it is frequently seen in open skies and wide landscapes, the mountain bluebird has become associated with Nevada’s expansive terrain. As Nevada’s State Bird, it represents the open spaces and high desert environments that define much of the state.
Ichthyosaur
The ichthyosaur was designated Nevada’s State Fossil in 1977. In 1989, the designation was amended to specifically recognize the fossils of Shonisaurus popularis.
Ichthyosaurs were large marine reptiles that thrived during much of the Mesozoic Era, more than 200 million years ago. Fossils of Shonisaurus popularis have been discovered in the Luning Formation near the ghost town of Berlin, Nevada. The Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park protects and displays dozens of these fossils.
Although not the largest of all ichthyosaurs, Shonisaurus popularis could grow to nearly 50 feet in length and weigh over thirty tons. The name Shonisaurus means “lizard of the Shoshone Mountains.”
Millions of years ago, much of Nevada was covered by a shallow inland sea. The discovery of these marine fossils reminds us that Nevada’s landscapes have changed dramatically over time.
Shonisaurus popularis. A model of the Nevada state fossil. Photo by Kenneth Carpenter, cropped, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nevada’s State Plants
Nevada’s state plants reflect the landscapes that define the Silver State — from high-elevation mountain ranges to arid desert basins. These species provide habitat, food, and stability for Nevada’s ecosystems and have long held cultural and historical importance.
Nevada has two designated State Trees: the single-leaf piñón and the Great Basin bristlecone pine.
Single-leaf piñón. NPS photo.
Single-leaf Piñón
The single-leaf piñón (Pinus monophylla) was designated a State Tree in 1953. It grows in dry mountain ranges and foothills across much of Nevada.
Unlike most pine trees, it has a single needle per bundle. Its seeds, commonly known as pine nuts, have long been an important food source for Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin. Piñón woodlands habitat for birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine
The Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) was designated a State Tree in 1987. These trees grow at high elevations in eastern Nevada and are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Some bristlecone pines are more than 4,000 years old.
Their twisted trunks and slow growth reflect centuries of survival in harsh mountain conditions. The bristlecone pine represents endurance and longevity in Nevada’s high mountain ecosystems.
Bristlecone pine. NPS photo.
Sagebrush. Photo by Stan Shebs.
Sagebrush
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) was designated the State Flower of Nevada in 1917. It is one of the most widespread plants in Nevada and is strongly associated with the Great Basin. Its silvery-green leaves and distinctive scent are familiar across the state’s valleys and foothills.
Sagebrush provides food and shelter for many wildlife species, including birds, small mammals, and insects. Historically, it has also been used by Native communities for food, medicine, and practical purposes.
As Nevada’s State Flower, sagebrush represents the open landscapes that define much of the state.
Indian Ricegrass
Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) was designated in 1977 as the State Grass of Nevada. It grows in sandy soils and desert grasslands across Nevada. Its small, nutritious seeds were an important food staple for Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin.
This hardy grass helps stabilize soils and supports wildlife in arid environments. It plays an important role in preventing erosion and maintaining healthy desert ecosystems.
Indian ricegrass reflects the resilience and ecological importance of Nevada’s native grasslands.
Indian ricegrass. USDA photo.
Together, Nevada’s state symbols reflect the diverse landscapes and ecosystems that shape life in the Silver State. From desert basins and mountain peaks to rivers, wetlands, and open valleys, these plants and animals help tell the story of Nevada’s natural heritage.
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