Pennsylvania State Mammal
White-tailed Deer (common name) Odocoileus virginianus (scientific name) Overview The white-tailed deer is native to the United States and a common sight in all but a few states. It is the most popular choice in the country as a state animal, having been designated as such by Arkansas in 1993, Illinois in 1980, Nebraska in 1981, New Hampshire in 1983, Ohio in 1988, Pennsylvania in 1959, and South Carolina in 1972. Michigan (1997) and Mississippi (1974) also include it among their designated state animals. The whitetail is a medium-sized, brown deer that was an important source of food and leather for the indigenous peoples of the country. It remains the country’s most important game animal and is prized for its meat (called "venison") and the challenge of hunting it, especially with a bow and arrow. Whitetails are larger in the northern part of its range and the smallest sub-species can be found in the southernmost part of the US in the Florida Keys. Close-up STATUS Official ALSO KNOWN AS Virginia deer, Columbian white-tailed deer, Southern white-tailed deer, whitetail PHYSICAL DETAILS Reddish brown in summer and grayish brown in winter. A small population of white (not albino) deer is found in upstate New York. Males shed their antlers from late December to February and re-grow them every year in late spring when they are covered with a fuzzy tissue known as "velvet."    Males Females Size length 4–8 ft (120-240 cm); shoulder height 32–42 in (80-106 cm) length 62–87 in (160-220 cm); shoulder height 32–40 in (80-100 cm) Weight 130–300 lbs (60 kg–130 kg); average 250 lbs (114 kg); largest 500 lbs (230 kg) 90–200 lbs (40–90 kg); average 150 lbs (68 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 15 years; average of 2–3 years in the wild HABITAT Range: Southern Canada to Peru; absent from California, Nevada, and Utah; introduced to parts of Europe and New Zealand. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). Deer were severely depleted throughout their range in the U.S. by the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hunting restrictions brought populations back to historic levels, but then the elimination of the animal’s natural predators led to an overpopulation of whitetail deer over much of its range. BEHAVIOR Whitetails will stay completely still when they sense danger and then will raise their tail in a flash of white and run away at great speed. They are athletic animals that can jump 8-foot (2.5-m) fences and swim at 13 mph (21 kph). Male deer ("bucks") grow antlers they use for marking trees in their territory and sparring with other males to determine the hierarchy within the herd. Bucks rarely eat or rest during the mating season (the "rut") when they will attempt to mate with as many females as possible. Whitetail females ("does") will tenaciously defend their fawns, up to the point of risking their own lives. Top land speed recorded: 40 mph (64 kph) DIET Plant shoots, twigs, buds, leaves, pine needles, cactus, grasses, acorns, wild apples, plums, corn, mushrooms, sumac, hay, and grains. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: May–June Average litter size: 1–3 fawns Size at birth: 3–14 lbs (1.4–6.3 kg); average 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) for females and 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) for males TRIVIA The white-tailed deer is an iconic symbol of the American wilderness. Davy Crockett and his buckskin attire symbolized how Americans adapted to their environment and conquered the vast wilderness. Whitetail-related stories like The Yearling and Bambi are a part of the national culture. Deer hunting is also an extremely popular sport and an important source of income in many rural areas. Many collegiate and professional sports teams are named after the whitetail, including the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. A profile of a whitetail buck’s head appears on the state flag and the coat of arms of the state of Vermont.
	Click to enlarge an image White-tailed Buck White-tailed Doe and Fawn Young Fawn New Antlers on White-tailed Deer CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Odocoileus Species: O. virginianus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Pennsylvania State Mammal
Great Dane (common name) Canis lupus familiaris (scientific name) Overview Developed from the English mastiff and the Irish wolfhound, the Great Dane is one of the world’s tallest dog breeds. It was originally bred by Germans to hunt the ferocious wild boar. Prior to the late 18th century, this dog was referred to as "Danish dog." Because this breed is muscular, strong, and courageous, it is sometimes called the "Apollo of dogs." Over the years, the Great Dane has been prized for its powerful elegance. With a muscular body and a history as a hunting dog, the American Kennel Club has categorized the Great Dane as a working dog. The Great Dane was designated the national breed of Germany in 1876 and the state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965. Close-up STATUS Official State Dog ALSO KNOWN AS Grand Danois, German mastiff, Danish gallant, Danish hound,Deutsche dogge PHYSICAL DETAILS The Great Dane is an extremely large breed, normally as long as it is tall. The dog’s coat is smooth and short, and the ears are floppy. This dog can be brindle (tan with black stripes), fawn (tan with a black mask), harlequin (white base color with large black patches), mantle (black head and body with white on the muzzle, collar, chest, feet, and tip of the tail), solid steel blue, or solid black in color. A Great Dane is not fully mature until it is three years old, although it can reach its full height much earlier. Size: Male: 30–36 in (76–91.4 cm) Female: 28–33 in (71–83.8 cm) at the shoulders at the shoulders Weight: Male: 125–175 lb (56.7–79.4 kg) Female: 100–140 lb (45.4–63.5 kg) LIFESPAN Large dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than small dogs, and the Great Dane is no exception. Its average lifespan is about 7 to 9 years, but some have been known to live up to 13 years. HABITAT This is a purpose-bred dog with no natural habitat. The breed originated in Germany, and today is found mainly in North America and Europe. BEHAVIOR Great Danes are known to be friendly and gentle. Sometimes referred to as "gentle giants," they are also admired for their dependability, bravery, and loyalty. These qualities make them good watchdogs. Lovable, easygoing, and easy to groom, this breed also makes a great pet. However, due to the sheer size, weight, and strength of this dog, good behavioral training early on is essential. DIET Dogs are omnivores, requiring protein in their diet for optimal health. Grains and vegetables can also make up large portions of a dog’s diet. Dogs are natural scavengers, but a pet’s diet normally consists of food supplied by its owner. It should be noted that the Great Dane, like most large breeds, has a fairly slow metabolism and therefore does not require as much food per pound as a smaller dog. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Biannually Birthing period: Approximately 63 days Average litter size: 5–12 puppies Size at birth: 1–2 pounds (0.45–0.91 kg) TRIVIA The animated character Scooby-Doo was based on sketches of a Great Dane bred by a Hanna-Barbera employee. Between 2008 and 2010, four music videos by American electropop recording artist Lady Gaga featured two harlequin Great Danes named Lava and Rumpus. The tallest living dog according to the Guinness Book of World Records is usually a Great Dane. Previous record holders include Gibson (42 inches/107 cm tall) and Titan (42.3 inches/107.3 cm tall), both American Great Danes. As of February 2010, the record holder is a blue Great Dane who measures 43 inches (110 cm) at the withers and is appropriately named Giant George. A portrait of William Penn and his Great Dane hangs in the reception room at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
	Click to enlarge an image Great Dane CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canus Species: C. lupus Subspecies: C. l. familiaris
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service