Maryland State Mammal
Thoroughbred (common name) Equus ferus caballus(scientific name) Overview As the fastest of all horses, the thoroughbred has held undisputed reign as king of horse racing. All modern thoroughbreds can trace their pedigrees to three stallions originally imported into England from the Middle East in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and to 74 foundation mares of English and Oriental blood. Over the following centuries, thoroughbreds spread throughout the world. They were imported into North America starting in 1730 and into Australia, Europe, Japan, and South America during the 1800s. After the American Revolution, the centers of thoroughbred breeding and racing in the United States moved from Maryland and Virginia to Kentucky and Tennessee. Millions of thoroughbreds exist worldwide today, with over 118,000 foals registered each year. The thoroughbred was designated the official state horse of Kentucky, the home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby horse race, in 1996. It became the state horse of Maryland in 2003. Close-up STATUS Official State Horse ALSO KNOWN AS English running horse PHYSICAL DETAILS Thoroughbreds are most often bay, seal brown, chestnut, black, or gray. The face and lower legs may be marked with white, but white does generally not appear on the body. Thoroughbreds have a well-chiseled head on a long neck, high withers, a deep chest, a short back, good depth of hindquarters, a lean body, and long legs. They are classified among the "hot-blooded" breeds, which are animals bred for agility and speed that are generally considered spirited and bold.    Males Females Size 15.2–17.0 hands (62–68 inches/157–173 cm), averaging 16 hands (64 in/163 cm) 15.2–17.0 hands (62–68 inches/157–173 cm), averaging 16 hands (64 in/163 cm) Weight around 1,100 lb (500 kg) around 1,100 lb (500 kg) LIFESPAN 25-30 years HABITAT North America (about 37,000 foals annually), Australia (about 18,250 foals annually), Britain (about 5,000 foals annually). Worldwide there are more than 195,000 active broodmares, and there were 118,000 newly registered foals in 2006 alone. BEHAVIOR Thoroughbreds have been specially bred for hundreds of years and are usually specially raised for racing. Their behavior—including when and where they breed, what they eat, where they live, and many of their regular activities—is closely controlled by humans. The thoroughbred has a nervous temperament and is known for its agility, speed, and spirit. Thoroughbreds are used mainly for racing, but are also bred for other riding disciplines, such as show jumping, combined training, dressage, and (in western riding) speed events such as barrel racing. Mounted police divisions employ them in non-competitive work, and recreational riders also use them. Thoroughbreds are also one of the most common breeds for use in polo in the United States. They are often seen in the fox hunting field as well. Thoroughbred racehorses perform with maximum exertion, which has resulted in high rates of accidents and other health problems. They are also commonly cross-bred with other breeds to create new breeds or to improve existing ones. Land speed: A thoroughbred can achieve a speed of just less than 40 mph (64 kph) for a distance of a mile (1.6 km). DIET Most horses only need quality forage, water, and a salt or mineral block. Grain or other concentrates are often not necessary. Horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Average litter size: 1 foal Foal height: At the withers, a foal has 60 percent of its mature height at birth. Foal weight: Approximately 10 percent of the dam's weight. TRIVIA Thoroughbreds born in the northern hemisphere are officially considered a year older on the first of January each year. Those born in the southern hemisphere officially become one year older on the first of August. These artificial dates have been set to enable the standardization of races and other competitions for horses in certain age groups. All modern thoroughbreds trace back to three stallions imported into England from the Middle East: the Byerley Turk (1680s), the Darley Arabian (1704), and the Godolphin Arabian (1729). One tenth of all thoroughbreds suffer orthopedic problems, including fractures. Thoroughbreds are also prone to other health complications, including bleeding from the lungs, low fertility, abnormally small hearts and a small hoof to body mass ratio.
	Click to enlarge an image Young Thoroughbred Thoroughbreds in Action Handsome Thoroughbred Thoroughbred Profile Off to the Races CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Equus Species: E. ferus Subspecies: E. f. caballus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Maryland State Mammal
Calico Cat (common name) Felis catus(scientific name) Overview The calico, or tortoiseshell, cat probably came into being about 9,000 years ago, after wild cats were first domesticated through breeding. A calico cat is actually not a breed of cat, but it does have a characteristic color pattern that comes from an unusual genetic sequence, something that usually comes about by accident. About 16 breeds occasionally produce calicoes. The amount of white on a calico’s coat is most variable. A cat with little white in its coat is sometimes called a ‘tortie and white,’ while a white cat with small patches of color is a ‘high white’ calico. A white calico with color patches on its head and tail and no more than one color patch its body is called a ‘van’ calico cat. Close-up STATUS Official State Cat ALSO KNOWN AS Money cat, tortoiseshell PHYSICAL DETAILS Calico cats have irregular patterns of colored blotches in their fur. Colors can include white, black, and reddish to brownish shades. Most are tri-colored with patches of black, white, and orange-red coats. Occasionally, colors are diluted, producing shades of beige, gray, or cream. Otherwise, a calico resembles any other house cat. Fur length and eye color vary. Calico coloring is linked to a cat’s sex chromosomes, so calico cats are almost always females. A male calico is a rare occurrence and is almost always sterile because of an extra X chromosome.    Males Females Size height at shoulder 14 in (35 cm) height at shoulder 14 in (35 cm) Weight 5.5–16 lbs (2.5–7.5 kg); largest 25 lbs (11.3 kg) 5.5–16 lbs (2.5–7.5 kg); largest 25 lbs (11.3 kg) LIFESPAN 12-14 years HABITAT Apartments, houses, yards, and farms. Range: Worldwide. Conservation: Least Concern. Cats are domesticated animals, and as human companions face few potential threats. On the other hand, they are well adapted to survival in the wild and can easily turn feral if left to their own devices, potentially preying on protected or endangered animals. BEHAVIOR A small, carnivorous mammal, the domestic cat is valued as a human companion and as a rodent predator. Calicoes are particularly valued for their striking coats, though they have a reputation for being temperamental. Unlike dogs, domestic cats are not much different from their wild ancestors. A healthy calico keeps itself clean, has excellent vision and hearing, and communicates through vocalizations and body language, sometimes including purring, hissing, meowing, grunting, and clicking. Cats are naturally more active at night, though a house cat’s schedule usually revolves around human activity. Many cat owners choose to sterilize their pets, but breeders who want to produce calico cats mate female calicoes with orange or black males. The result is almost always a mixed litter that may or may not contain one female calico. Like all cats, calicoes are protective of their kittens, which are born blind and deaf. A kitten nurses for up to seven weeks, and should stay with its mother for at least 12 weeks. Top land speed recorded: 31 mph (50kph) DIET Commercially produced cat food. Left to its own devices, a cat will catch and eat insects, small birds, and rodents. OFFFSPRING Breeding interval: 2-3 times per year Birthing period: 66 days Average litter size: 3-5 Size at birth: 3.8 ounce (110 gm) TRIVIA The name "calico" comes from block-printed, multi-colored cloth that traveled from the port of Calicut in India to England during the 1600s. Calico cats are believed to bring luck in many cultures, probably because they’re rare. Male calicos, owing to their extreme rarity, are usually believed to be even luckier. The calico cat was designated as the official cat of Maryland in October 2001 because its patchy coloring, often yellow-orange and black, matches the state's coat of arms and state flower.
	Click to enlarge an image Close-up of a Calico Cat Calico Kitten Classic Calico Coloring CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Subfamily: Felinae Genus: Felis Species: F. silvestris catus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Maryland State Mammal
Chesapeake Bay Retriever (common name) Canis familiaris (scientific name) Overview The Chesapeake Bay retriever is medium-large dog bred especially to be a bird-hunter in the area around the Chesapeake Bay, which, in hunting season, is often extremely cold and icy. The breed is the descendent of two Newfoundland puppies that survived a shipwreck in 1807, as well as an unknown number and variety of other hunting dogs. With a warm coat and an exceptional ability to swim through frigid waters, the Chesapeake is generally adapted for tolerating bad weather. These retrievers also make good companions and have a reputation for being smart, good-natured, and affectionate. Though a Chesapeake Bay retriever often makes an excellent pet even for a non-hunter, it needs outdoor exercise even more than most dogs, and is ill-suited to city life. ALSO KNOWN AS Chessie, CBR, Chesapeake Close-up STATUS Official State Dog PHYSICAL DETAILS The Chesapeake Bay retriever is strongly built with a round, wide head with a medium muzzle. It has medium-sized, wide-set amber to gold eyes. The dog's teeth and jaws are large and strong enough to carry heavy game birds gently and easily. Its ears are small when compared to those of other retrievers and sit high on the head. A Chesapeake’s neck, shoulders, and chest are strong and solid and a little lower than the hindquarters. This strong back end and webbed toes help the dog to swim well. The dog’s coat is brown, sometimes lightly dappled, and therefore camouflages the animal in a winter field. Its somewhat oily coat is double, with short, coarse outer hairs wavy at the neck, back, and loins, and a woolly, water-resistant undercoat that helps keep the dog warm and dry. The tail is of medium length, straight or a bit curved, heavy at the base, with slightly feathery hairs.  Males Females Size height at shoulder 23–26 in (58-66 cm) height at shoulder 21–24 in (53-61 cm) Weight 65–80 lbs (29-36 kg) 55-70 lbs (25–32 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 13 years HABITAT Purpose-bred dog with no natural habitat. Best suited to spending most of its time outdoors in large yards, on farms, or in other large enclosed areas. Range: Originated in U.S. and mostly found in the Chesapeake Bay area. Also occasionally kept as a pet in other areas and countries. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). BEHAVIOR As a purpose-bred dog that always lives with humans, the Chesapeake Bay retriever lacks the natural feeding and mating rhythms a wild dog would have. Its behavior is dictated by its owner and by whether the dog is primarily intended to be a hunter, a show dog, or a pet. The Chesapeake is usually intelligent and a quick learner, but requires early obedience training to curb its independent streak. It is also territorial to the point where it will dominate other household pets. This dog needs regular outdoor exercise that includes swimming, fetching, and running. With enough daily activity, it can be well behaved indoors. Most Chesapeakes can tolerate high levels of pain without showing distress, so it can be difficult to tell if the dog is ill or hurt. DIET A Chesapeake eats what its owner feeds it, usually a combination of processed dog food and fresh food. Cooked whole grains or fish, raw meat, produce like berries, melons, bananas, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli stalk, oranges, zucchini squash, and green beans can all be part of the diet. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual to biennial Birthing period: N/A Average litter size: 7-8 puppies Size at birth: average 15 lbs (6 kg) TRIVIA A Chesapeake needs consistent and authoritative training, so it does not make a good pet for casual or inexperienced dog owners. This retriever became Maryland’s state animal in 1964.
	Click to enlarge an image Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chesapeake Bay Retriever Returning with a Mallard Duck Young Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Training CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: C. familiaris
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press