3118: iNaturalist Animals and Plants

2025-07-31T14:49:11Z

2600:4040:559B:9300:BC18:518A:E7A6:2A7E: /* Reference table */

{{comic
| number = 3118
| date = July 21, 2025
| title = iNaturalist Animals and Plants
| image = inaturalist_animals_and_plants_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x508px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Washington, DC: Eastern gray squirrel, Amur honeysuckle. Puerto Rico: Crested anole, sea grape. US as a whole: Mallard, eastern poison ivy.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is a map of the United States showing, for each state, the name of the animal and plant most commonly reported on the {{w|citizen science}} social network {{w|iNaturalist}}. As the comic notes, these are not the most-encountered species, just the ones reported the most on iNaturalist. iNaturalist is a citizen science social network that shares observations of nature. In some cases the species most reported is an invasive species causing concern, such as brown anole and Amur honeysuckle, while some local species which are actually the most present and observable may escape being fully reported by not being considered worthy of any note.

For some smaller states, the animal and plant names are listed outside the state, with a connector line to the state. Some non-state regions are covered in the title text: the {{w|District of Columbia}}, too small to list such information on the district itself and in an awkward location for a connector; {{w|Puerto Rico}}, an unincorporated U.S. territory with a large population outside the 50 standard states (both contiguous and otherwise); and the U.S. as a whole.

The most reported animals are Common Eastern Bumble Bee and White-tailed Deer, with 7 states each, while the most reported plant is Common Milkweed, with 6 states. Of the 26 different animal species mentioned, 5 are mammals, 4 are birds, 12 are reptiles, and 5 are insects. This is part of what makes the results for "US as a whole" surprising: they only top the list in one or two states, yet become the most reported when adding up the numbers nationwide.

iNaturalist community members have [https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/today-s-xkcd-comic-is-about-inaturalist/67916 noted] that several species have made it on the list due to a few prolific contributors contributing large numbers of observations of the same species.

===Reference table===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2"| State
! colspan="2" | Most observed...
|-
!Animal
!Plant
|-
!AL
|{{w|Alabama |Alabama}}
|{{w|Gulf fritillary}}
|{{w|Liquidambar styraciflua|American Sweetgum}}

Also in: '''[[#GA|GA]]''', '''[[#SC|SC]]'''
|-
!AK
|{{w|Alaska |Alaska}}
|{{w|Moose}}
|{{w|Chamaenerion angustifolium|Fireweed}}
|-
!AZ
|{{w|Arizona |Arizona}}
|{{w|Urosaurus ornatus|Ornate Tree Lizard}}

''(Also the State Animal of Nebraska)''
|{{w|Saguaro}}
|-
!AR
|{{w|Arkansas |Arkansas}}
|{{w|Three-toed box turtle}}

''(Official Reptile of Missouri)''
|{{w|Ligustrum sinense|Chinese Privet}}

'''Naturalized'''
|-
!CA
|{{w|California |California}}
|{{w|Western fence lizard}}
|{{w|Eschscholzia californica|California Poppy}}
|-
!CO
|{{w|Colorado |Colorado}}
|{{w|Mule deer}}

Also in: '''[[#NM|NM]]''', '''[[#OR|OR]]''', '''[[#UT|UT]]'''
|{{w|Verbascum thapsus|Great Mullein}}

'''Invasive'''
|-
!CT
|{{w|Connecticut |Connecticut}}
|{{w|Bombus impatiens|Common Eastern Bumble Bee}}

Also in: '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|{{w|Chimaphila maculata|Striped Wintergreen}}
|-
!DE
|{{w|Delaware |Delaware}}
|{{w|Anaxyrus fowleri|Fowler's Toad}}
|{{w|Phytolacca americana|American Pokeweed}}
|-
!FL
|{{w|Florida |Florida}}
|{{w|Brown Anole}}

'''Invasive'''
|{{w|Bidens alba|White Beggar-ticks}}
|-
!GA
|{{w|Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia}}
|{{w|Anolis carolinensis|Green Anole}}

Also in: '''[[#LA|LA]]'''
|American Sweetgum

Also in: '''[[#AL|AL]]''', '''[[#SC|SC]]'''
|-
!HI
|{{w|Hawaii |Hawaii}}
|{{w|Green sea turtle}}
|{{w|Metrosideros polymorpha|ʻŌhiʻa Lehua}}

'''Endangered'''
|-
!ID
|{{w|Idaho |Idaho}}
|{{w|Mallard}}

Also in: '''[[#**|Whole US]]'''
|{{w|Artemisia tridentata|Big Sagebrush}}
|-
!IL
|{{w|Illinois |Illinois}}
|Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Also in: '''[[#CT|CT]]''', '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|{{w|Asclepias syriaca|Common Milkweed}}

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#NE|NE]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|-
!IN
|{{w|Indiana |Indiana}}
|{{w|American robin}}

Also in: '''[[#NE|NE]]''', '''[[#TN|TN]]'''
|{{w|Lonicera maackii|Amur Honeysuckle}}

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#KS|KS]]''', '''[[#KY|KY]]''', '''[[#MO|MO]]

'''Invasive'''
|-
!IA
|{{w|Iowa |Iowa}}
|{{w|White-tailed deer}}

Also in: '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MT|MT]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#PA|PA]]''', '''[[#VA|VA]]''', '''[[#WV|WV]]'''
|Common Milkweed

Also in: '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#NE|NE]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|-
!KS
|{{w|Kansas |Kansas}}
|{{w|Ornate box turtle}}
|Amur Honeysuckle

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#IN|IN]]''', '''[[#KS|KS]]''', '''[[#MO|MO]]

'''Invasive'''
|-
!KY
|{{w|Kentucky |Kentucky}}
|{{w|Common box turtle}}

'''Vulnerable'''
|Amur Honeysuckle

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#IN|IN]]''', '''[[#KS|KS]]''', '''[[#MO|MO]]

'''Invasive'''
|-
!LA
|{{w|Louisiana |Louisiana}}
|Green Anole

Also in: '''[[#GA|GA]]'''
|{{w|Taxodium distichum|Bald Cypress}}
|-
!ME
|{{w|Maine |Maine}}
|{{w|American herring gull}}

Also in: '''[[#RI|RI]]'''
|{{w|Cornus canadensis|Canadian Bunchberry}}
|-
!MD
|{{w|Maryland |Maryland}}
|Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Also in: '''[[#CT|CT]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|{{w|Pinus strobus|Eastern White Pine}}

Also in: '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]'''
|-
!MA
|{{w|Massachusetts |Massachusetts}}
|Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Also in: '''[[#CT|CT]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|Eastern White Pine

Also in: '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]'''
|-
!MI
|{{w|Michigan |Michigan}}
|White-tailed Deer

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MT|MT]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#PA|PA]]''', '''[[#VA|VA]]''', '''[[#WV|WV]]'''
|Common Milkweed

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#NE|NE]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|-
!MN
|{{w|Minnesota |Minnesota}}
|Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Also in: '''[[#CT|CT]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|Common Milkweed

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#NE|NE]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|-
!MS
|{{w|Mississippi |Mississippi}}
|{{w|Northern cardinal}}

Also in: '''[[#SC|SC]]''', '''[[#TX|TX]]'''
|{{w|Sarracenia alata|Pale Pitcher Plant}}
|-
!MO
|{{w|Missouri |Missouri}}
|{{w|Bombus griseocollis|Brown-belted Bumble Bee}}
|Amur Honeysuckle

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#IN|IN]]''', '''[[#KS|KS]]''', '''[[#KY|KY]]

'''Invasive'''
|-
!MT
|{{w|Montana |Montana}}
|White-tailed Deer

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#PA|PA]]''', '''[[#VA|VA]]''', '''[[#WV|WV]]'''
|{{w|Achillea millefolium|Common Yarrow}}
|-
!NE
|{{w|Nebraska |Nebraska}}
|American Robin

Also in: '''[[#IN|IN]]''', '''[[#TN|TN]]'''
|Common Milkweed

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|-
!NV
|{{w|Nevada |Nevada}}
|{{w|Common side-blotched lizard}}
|{{w|Larrea tridentata|Creosote Bush}}

Also in: '''[[#NM|NM]]'''
|-
!NH
|{{w|New Hampshire |New Hampshire}}
|White-tailed Deer

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MT|MT]]''', '''[[#PA|PA]]''', '''[[#VA|VA]]''', '''[[#WV|WV]]'''
|Eastern White Pine

Also in: '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]'''
|-
!NJ
|{{w|New Jersey |New Jersey}}
|{{w|Spotted lanternfly}}

'''Invasive'''
|{{w|Artemisia vulgaris|Common Mugwort}}

'''Invasive native'''
|-
!NM
|{{w|New Mexico |New Mexico}}
|Mule Deer

Also in: '''[[#CO|CO]]''', '''[[#OR|OR]]''', '''[[#UT|UT]]'''
|Creosote Bush

Also in: '''[[#NV|NV]]'''
|-
!NY
|{{w|New York (state) |New York}}
|{{w|Eastern gray squirrel}}

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#NC|NC]]

''(Invasive to Europe)''
|{{w|Ageratina altissima|White Snakeroot}}
|-
!NC
|{{w|North Carolina |North Carolina}}
|Eastern Gray Squirrel

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#NY|NY]]'''
|{{w|Polystichum acrostichoides|Christmas Fern}}

Also in: '''[[#TN|TN]]'''
|-
!ND
|{{w|North Dakota |North Dakota}}
|{{w|American bison}}

Also in: '''[[#SD|SD]]''', '''[[#WY|WY]]'''
|{{w|Rosa arkansana|Prairie}} {{w|Rosa blanda|Rose}}

''(Could several {{w|Prairie Rose}} species.)''
|-
!OH
|{{w|Ohio |Ohio}}
|{{w|Erythemis simplicicollis|Eastern Pondhawk}}
|{{w|Claytonia virginica|Virginia Springbeauty}}
|-
!OK
|{{w|Oklahoma |Oklahoma}}
|{{w|Pond slider}}
|{{w|Juniperus virginiana|Eastern Redcedar}}
|-
!OR
|{{w|Oregon |Oregon}}
|Mule Deer

Also in: '''[[#CO|CO]]''', '''[[#NM|NM]]''', '''[[#UT|UT]]'''
|{{w|Pinus ponderosa|Western Ponderosa Pine}}

''("Western" yellow-pine, a.k.a. "Ponderosa" pine?)''
|-
!PA
|{{w|Pennsylvania |Pennsylvania}}
|White-tailed Deer

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MT|MT]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#VA|VA]]''', '''[[#WV|WV]]'''
|{{w|Alliaria petiolata|Garlic Mustard}}

'''Invasive'''
|-
!RI
|{{w|Rhode Island |Rhode Island}}
|American Herring Gull

Also in: '''[[#ME|ME]]'''
|{{w|Rosa rugosa|Rugosa Rose}}
|-
!SC
|{{w|South Carolina |South Carolina}}
|Northern Cardinal

Also in: '''[[#MS|MS]]''', '''[[#TX|TX]]'''
|American Sweetgum

Also in: '''[[#AL|AL]]''', '''[[#GA|GA]]'''
|-
!SD
|{{w|South Dakota |South Dakota}}
|American Bison

Also in: '''[[#ND|ND]]''', '''[[#WY|WY]]'''
|{{w|Verbena stricta|Hoary Vervain}}
|-
!TN
|{{w|Tennessee |Ten'''nessee}}
|American Robin

Also in: '''[[#IN|IN]]''', '''[[#NE|NE]]'''
|Christmas Fern

Also in: '''[[#NC|NC]]'''
|-
!TX
|{{w|Texas |Texas}}
|Northern Cardinal

Also in: '''[[#MS|MS]]''', '''[[#SC|SC]]'''
|{{w|Oenothera speciosa|Pinkladies}}
|-
!UT
|{{w|Utah |Utah}}
|Mule Deer

Also in: '''[[#CO|CO]]''', '''[[#NM|NM]]''', '''[[#OR|OR]]'''
|{{w|Juniperus osteosperma|Utah Juniper}}
|-
!VT
|{{w|Vermont |Vermont}}
|Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Also in: '''[[#CT|CT]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#WI|WI]]'''
|Eastern White Pine

Also in: '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]'''
|-
!VA
|{{w|Virginia |Virginia}}
|White-tailed Deer

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MT|MT]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#PA|PA]]''', '''[[#WV|WV]]'''
|{{w|Toxicodendron radicans|Eastern Poison Ivy}}

Also in: '''[[#**|Whole US]]'''
|-
!WA
|{{w|Washington (state) |Washington}}
|Mallard

Also in: '''[[#ID|ID]]''', '''[[#**|Whole US]]'''
|{{w|Polystichum munitum|Western Sword Fern}}
|-
!WV
|{{w|West Virginia |West Virginia}}
|White-tailed Deer

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MT|MT]]''', '''[[#NH|NH]]''', '''[[#PA|PA]]''', '''[[#VA|VA]]'''
|{{w|Rhododendron maximum|Great Rhododendron}}
|-
!WI
|{{w|Wisconsin |Wisconsin}}
|Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Also in: '''[[#CT|CT]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MA|MA]]''', '''[[#MD|MD]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#VT|VT]]'''
|Common Milkweed

Also in: '''[[#IA|IA]]''', '''[[#IL|IL]]''', '''[[#MI|MI]]''', '''[[#MN|MN]]''', '''[[#NE|NE]]'''
|-
!WY
|{{w|Wyoming |Wyoming}}
|American Bison

Also in: '''[[#ND|ND]]''', '''[[#SD|SD]]'''
|{{w|Geranium viscosissimum|Sticky Geranium}}
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!DC
|{{w|Washington, D.C. |Washington DC}} ''(title text)''
|Eastern gray squirrel

Also in: '''[[#NC|NC]]''', '''[[#NY|NY]]'''
|Amur Honeysuckle

Also in: '''[[#IN|IN]]''', '''[[#KS|KS]]''', '''[[#KY|KY]]''', '''[[#MO|MO]]

'''Invasive'''
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!PR
|{{w|Puerto Rico |Puerto Rico}} ''(title text)''
|{{w|Anolis cristatellus|Crested anole}}
|{{w|Coccoloba uvifera|Sea grape}}
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!data-sort-value="**"|
|{{w|United States |'''US as a whole'''}} ''(title text)''
|Mallard

Also in: '''[[#DC|DC]]''', '''[[#ID|ID]]'''
|Eastern poison ivy

Also in: '''[[#VA|VA]]'''
|}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}
:[The comic shows a map of the United States with state borders (including Hawaii and Alaska inset in the lower left) and two-letter state codes for each state. The map includes the {{w|Northwest Angle}}, which is not typically shown on maps of this scale.]
:[Above the map]: The Most-Observed Animal and Plant in Each State on iNaturalist
:[Below that, in parentheses]: Not the most common species in the state, just the one people have reported the most times.
:[Each state has text of the format "Animal" on top and "Plant" below. For RI, VT, NH, MA, CT, NJ, DE, and MD, the text is outside the state border with a line connecting them.]

:[In alphabetical order, the states have the following Animal/Plant text]:

:Alabama: Gulf Fritillary; American Sweetgum 
:Alaska: Moose; Fireweed 
:Arizona: Ornate Tree Lizard; Saguaro 
:Arkansas: Three-toed Box Turtle; Chinese Privet 
:California: Western Fence Lizard; California Poppy 
:Colorado: Mule Deer; Great Mullein 
:Connecticut: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Striped Wintergreen 
:Delaware: Fowler's Toad; American Pokeweed 
:Florida: Brown Anole; White Beggar-ticks 
:Georgia: Green Anole; American Sweetgum 
:Hawaii: Green Sea Turtle; ʻŌhiʻa Lehua 
:Idaho: Mallard; Big Sagebrush 
:Illinois: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Common Milkweed 
:Indiana: American Robin; Amur Honeysuckle 
:Iowa: White-tailed Deer; Common Milkweed 
:Kansas: Ornate Box Turtle; Amur Honeysuckle 
:Kentucky: Common Box Turtle; Amur Honeysuckle 
:Louisiana: Green Anole; Bald Cypress 
:Maine: American Herring Gull; Canadian Bunchberry 
:Maryland: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Eastern White Pine 
:Massachusetts: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Eastern White Pine 
:Michigan: White-tailed Deer; Common Milkweed 
:Minnesota: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Common Milkweed 
:Mississippi: Northern Cardinal; Pale Pitcher Plant 
:Missouri: Brown-belted Bumble Bee; Amur Honeysuckle 
:Montana: White-tailed Deer; Common Yarrow 
:Nebraska: American Robin; Common Milkweed 
:Nevada: Common Side-blotched Lizard; Creosote Bush 
:New Hampshire: White-tailed Deer; Eastern White Pine 
:New Jersey: Spotted Lanternfly; Common Mugwort 
:New Mexico: Mule Deer; Creosote Bush 
:New York: Eastern Gray Squirrel; White Snakeroot 
:North Carolina: Eastern Gray Squirrel; Christmas Fern 
:North Dakota: American Bison; Prairie Rose 
:Ohio: Eastern Pondhawk; Virginia Springbeauty 
:Oklahoma: Pond Slider; Eastern Redcedar 
:Oregon: Mule Deer; Western Ponderosa Pine 
:Pennsylvania: White-tailed Deer; Garlic Mustard 
:Rhode Island: American Herring Gull; Rugosa Rose 
:South Carolina: Northern Cardinal; American Sweetgum 
:South Dakota: American Bison; Hoary Vervain 
:Tennessee: American Robin; Christmas Fern 
:Texas: Northern Cardinal; Pinkladies 
:Utah: Mule Deer; Utah Juniper 
:Vermont: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Eastern White Pine 
:Virginia: White-tailed Deer; Eastern Poison Ivy 
:Washington: Mallard; Western Sword Fern 
:West Virginia: White-tailed Deer; Great Rhododendron 
:Wisconsin: Common Eastern Bumble Bee; Common Milkweed 
:Wyoming: American Bison; Sticky Geranium 

==Trivia==
In the [https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/archive/c/c9/20250723151925%21inaturalist_animals_and_plants_2x.png original version of the comic], the postal codes for Iowa, Florida, Alaska, and Hawaii were missing from the map. They were later added.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:US maps]]
[[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]
[[Category:Turtles]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

3118: iNaturalist Animals and Plants