State symbols represent a region’s unique natural heritage, reflecting its geological past. They connect current residents with the deep history embedded within their state’s soil and highlight scientific discovery and the importance of preserving the natural world.
Michigan’s Official State Fossil
Michigan’s official state fossil is the American Mastodon (Mammut americanum). This prehistoric creature was a large, extinct relative of modern elephants, belonging to the order Proboscidea and the family Mammutidae. While often confused with mammoths, mastodons represent a distinct evolutionary branch of ancient, trunked mammals.
Why This Fossil Was Chosen
The American Mastodon was officially designated as Michigan’s state fossil on April 8, 2002. This recognition resulted from a dedicated campaign spearheaded by David P. Thomas, Sr., a geology instructor at Washtenaw Community College. Support also came from students, notably those from Slauson Middle School in Ann Arbor, who actively promoted the mastodon’s designation through letters and rallies. State Senator Thaddeus McCotter sponsored Senate Bill 397, which ultimately led to its adoption.
The American Mastodon was chosen due to its extensive presence in Michigan’s geological record. Fossils have been discovered in over 250 locations across the state, making Michigan a significant site for mastodon research. This widespread occurrence underscored the mastodon’s deep connection to Michigan’s natural history. The designation also aimed to foster public education about paleontology and understanding Earth’s past.
Unearthing Michigan’s Prehistoric Giant
The American Mastodon inhabited North America during the Pleistocene Epoch (Ice Age). These creatures stood around 10 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed between 4 to 6 tons. They possessed long, curved tusks up to 16 feet, a stocky build, and a thick coat of fur.
Mastodons were browsers, feeding primarily on woody plants like trees, shrubs, leaves, and twigs. Their teeth, featuring blunt, conical cusps, were adapted to crush tough plant material. This contrasts with the flat, ridged teeth of mammoths, which were grazers consuming grasses. Mastodons preferred cooler, forested environments, including spruce woodlands, valleys, and swamps prevalent in Michigan during their time.
Fossils of American Mastodons are commonly unearthed in southern Michigan, particularly around Ann Arbor. Many discoveries occur in bogs and marl pits, often made by farmers or construction workers. Notable finds include one of the most complete skeletons discovered near Owosso, displayed at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History. The longest intact trail of mastodon footprints, stretching 75 yards, was found near Ann Arbor and is also exhibited at the museum. A 2022 discovery in Kent County unearthed a juvenile mastodon skeleton, now on display at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.