State symbols reflect a region’s natural heritage, historical significance, or cultural identity. These emblems highlight unique aspects of a state, fostering pride and educating others. This tradition extends to state fossils, which commemorate significant prehistoric life forms found within a state’s borders.
New York’s State Fossil
New York’s official state fossil is Eurypterus remipes, the sea scorpion. This ancient arthropod inhabited the shallow, brackish seas that covered much of what is now New York State during the Silurian Period, approximately 420 million years ago. It was a marine creature, closely related to horseshoe crabs.
Adult Eurypterus remipes typically measured 5 to 9 inches, though some reached up to 4 feet. Its body featured a horseshoe crab-like head, a segmented body, and a tail-like telson. They possessed six pairs of appendages, including pincers for feeding and limbs for swimming or walking. As predators and scavengers, they fed on smaller invertebrates, fish, and were even cannibalistic.
Fossilized Eurypterus remipes remains are abundant in Silurian-age rocks across central and western New York, notably in formations like the Bertie Formation and Lang’s Quarry. Their exceptional preservation, often in large concentrations, provides valuable insights into their behavior, including mass molting and mating events. New York’s rich Paleozoic fossil record makes it a significant location for paleontological study.
Behind the Designation
The designation of Eurypterus remipes as New York’s state fossil reflects its scientific importance and historical prevalence within the state. Its official recognition was formalized through legislative action, with Assembly Bill A1943-A and Senate Bill S1924-A signed into law.
Governor Mario Cuomo officially signed the legislation on July 23, 1984, making Eurypterus remipes the state fossil. This designation acknowledged the sea scorpion’s widespread presence and excellent preservation in New York’s geological formations. The abundance of Eurypterus remipes fossils, with over 10,000 specimens recovered, underscored its suitability as a representative symbol.
The selection of Eurypterus remipes also aimed to promote scientific education and highlight New York’s rich natural heritage. Its status as the state fossil serves to educate the public about the ancient marine ecosystems that once thrived in the region. This designation emphasizes the state’s significant contributions to paleontological research and its unique geological history.