Think Texas Has Lots Of State Animals? So Does New Mexico

I'm not sure who is trying to outdo who on this one but, at the moment, Texas and New Mexico have the same number of official state animals.

I was surprised to find that the lone star state has multiple, official state animals. One of those "official" animals also has a reputation for being one of natures dumbest critters.

As it turns out, New Mexico also has a bunch of state animals.

When it comes to official state "things", every state has a list. Official state animals, state songs, state slogans ... whatever you got; there's probably an "official" one.

To learn all 8, official, Texas state animals, click here. Like Texas, New Mexico's "not so hateful 8", crawl, swim and fly. Except for the one that's been extinct for a zillion years.

It doesn't do much of anything these days.

• American Black Bear - They're very cuddly looking and who doesn't love Smokey the Bear?  Stay away from them though, trust me.
• Greater Roadrunner - No coyotes on this list.
• Probably due to all the bad PR this guy caused.

• Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout - New Mexico does have some high crime rates but this thing makes it sound like even the rivers aren't safe.
• New Mexico Whiptail Lizard - These guys are fast AF. I used to try to catch 'em as a kid and, unless I snuck up on one somehow, they pretty much always got away.
• New Mexico Spadefoot Toad - I kinda "dig" this one.
• Get it, dig? "Spade"-foot. Spade = shovel.  Shovel = dig ... Ok, I'll stop.

• Sandia Hairstreak Butterfly - Would totally get his butter-but whipped by the next guy on the list.
• Tarantula Hawk Wasp - Hands down winner in a matchup with Sandia. Same for us ... I've seen grown men drop everything and run away from these things.
• Coelophysis - Yes, a state dinosaur. No worries, Texas has one too ... and ours is the biggest of all.

Final score, Texas 8 - New Mexico 8. Except, while Texas has a dinosaur, it wasn't counted in our 8 so, sorry NM.

Texas wins, 9-8 in overtime.