The Bison is the animal state symbol of Oklahoma. The bison or buffalo brings to mind the old west just as the name Oklahoma. At its largest range the buffalo was found from Canada to Mexico and from eastern to western United States. They numbered in the millions. They are the largest group of one animal in the world. Their appearance is deceiving. They look like a big old hump back member of the cattle family. They are not docile nor are they domesticated even when handled like livestock. Although they are a huge animal they are very fast and their horns are very sharp. The old world buffalo did not have the huge hump that the bison of today. We interchange the words bison and buffalo, although they are two distinct different animals. They are a dark brown in the winter when their hair grows long to keep them warm and insolated. When this coat sheds in the summer they turn a lighter almost red tan color.
Unlike other states Oklahoma has a Meal State Symbol. This meal consists of fried okra, squash, cornbread, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, black-eyed peas, chicken fried steak, barbecue pork, pecan pie, and strawberries. It also has milk as its state beverage.
The fiddle and the drum come in as state musical symbols. These go with the state country and western song, “Faded Love” sung by famous Bob Wills. Square Dance also goes with these as the state dance. “Oklahoma Hills” composition is the state Folk Dance.
Hunting is big in Oklahoma. This is reflected in their state Game Animal the White Tailed Deer and their Game Bird the Wild Turkey. Tourism is a big money maker for the state also.
The Redbud Tree is the state tree. It is especially pretty in April when it begins to bud out. The Indian Paintbrush is found nearly all over the state and is the State Flower.
The Raccoon, the bullfrog, and the scissor tailed flycatcher are other state symbols that are very common throughout the state.
As in other states a state symbol must be adopted by a House Resolution. And a new one will be added to the list on November 11, 2007. The watermelon will then be the states official vegetable.
Oklahoma’s colors are green and white adopted in 1915. It adopted its official flag in 1925. Its floral emblem the mistletoe came in 1893, although Oklahoma didn’t officially become the 46th state to join the United States on November 16, 1905. The word Oklahoma comes from two Choctaw Indian Words meaning red people.
