Wikipedia:Today's featured list/January 9, 2012
Twenty-six U.S. states have an official state reptile. Oklahoma was the first to name an official reptile, the collared lizard, in 1969, and nominations have gathered pace since the 1980s; however, state reptiles are yet to catch up in popularity with state birds, flowers, trees, or mammals. Because they are cold-blooded, reptiles are more common in warmer climates: 19 of the 26 state reptiles represent southern states. Of these 26, turtles comprise more than half, with the painted turtle the most frequently chosen. Several state reptiles are threatened species. Although there is no national reptile, the timber rattlesnake (now West Virginia's state reptile) was an element in Revolutionary War flags and is still used in the U.S. Navy Jack. (Full list...)