Minnesota Just Named A Giant Beaver Its Official State Fossil

As we get ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the good 'ol U.S.A., we're all familiar with the stars and stripes, Uncle Sam, the bald eagle and other symbols that are associated with the United States.

But what about these symbols that are unique to the state of Minnesota? If you recall, the Land of 10,000 Lakes gained two new official state symbols last year. But just how many of these *unofficial* state symbols do you know-- and why are they not official symbols as well?

Minnesota’s Newest Official Icons: A Giant Beaver & The Little Dipper

In case you missed it, during its special session in June 2025, the Minnesota Legislature voted to make two new items official symbols of our fine state. So, as of last year, Minnesota gained an official state fossil (the giant beaver) as well as an official state constellation (the Ursa Minor, or Little Dipper).

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State's office, the giant beaver (officially the Castoroides ohioensis) was a beaver roughly the size of a small bear that roamed parts of Minnesota around 10,150 years ago. At that time, it lived in waterways and lakes around the Twin Cities metro area and southern Minnesota. Nearly complete skeletons of the giant beaver have been found in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Minnesota Science Museum says.

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Meanwhile, Ursa Minor is now Minnesota’s official state constellation. According to the Secretary of State's office, it was officially designated as such in 2025 because the constellation, located in the Northern Hemisphere, contains Polaris, the North Star, which is also prominently featured in Minnesota's state motto, "The North Star State."

Official State Symbols Already on the Books

While the giant beaver and the Little Dipper are the two most recent additions, they're not the only Minnesota state symbols currently on the books. Over the years, however, the Minnesota Legislature has designated 19 different categories of state symbols, everything from the official state flower (the pink and white Lady Slipper) to the official state fruit (the Honeycrisp apple).

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But there have been several other requests to designate other things as official symbols of Minnesota, as well-- though they weren't passed into law. So, according to the Minnesota Legislature, here are the 10 Best Unofficial Minnesota State Symbols: