What animal is used to stand for the Anerican colonies?

The animal commonly used to symbolize the American colonies is the rattlesnake. This representation gained popularity during the American Revolution, particularly through the political cartoon "Join, or Die" by Benjamin Franklin, which featured a segmented rattlesnake to emphasize unity among the colonies. The rattlesnake was chosen for its qualities of vigilance and readiness to defend itself, embodying the spirit of the colonies fighting for independence.