Schoolchildren often start the campaigns for state reptiles. In 2004, Illinois held a popular vote to pick the painted turtle, but legislation was still required in 2005 to make the choice official. Although many states require the bill to be signed by the governor, in some the enabling act is a resolution (legislature vote only). The common snapping turtle won a close election to become New York State's reptile icon.ДЄ reptile becomes the official state symbol after it is voted in by the state legislature.

7.1 General reptile declines and state reptile examples.

3 Rate of adoption and comparison to other symbols.

The Alabama red-bellied turtle is legally designated as an endangered species in the United States, and several others, also turtles, are threatened at some lesser level. One state reptile, the bog turtle, is Critically endangered. In all, the most frequently chosen species, with four states naming it, is the painted turtle. A turtle was chosen by more than half of the states.

Six states chose a species named after the state. West Virginia's timber rattlesnake was an early American flag element dating back to 1775.Д«ecause of their cold-blooded nature, reptiles are more common in warmer climates, and 19 of the 28 state reptiles represent southern states. State birds are more common, with all 50 states naming one, and they were adopted earlier, with the first one selected in 1927.Д«efore their formal designation as state reptiles, Florida's alligator, Maryland's terrapin, and Texas's horned lizard were all mascots of a major in-state university. Only two states followed in the 1970s, but the ensuing decades saw nominations at a rate of almost one per year. Oklahoma was the first state to name an official reptile, the common collared lizard, in 1969. Many secretaries of state maintain educational web pages that describe the state reptile. Schoolchildren often start campaigns promoting their favorite reptile to encourage state legislators to enact it as a state symbol. As with other state symbols, states compare admirable aspects of the reptile and of the state, within designating statutes. states have named an official state reptile. The first state reptile: Oklahoma's common collared lizard

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