Word for "personify" when you're talking about an animal

For example:

"The moose personifies Maine's wilderness."

I know personify isn't correct since it's not ascribing human form to the wilderness, but it does animate it and bring it to life in a way.

Perhaps embody is an alternative in this situation.

I don't know if there is a specific word that applies to animals, but epitomizes would work for just about anything, including an animal.

A personification for an animal for example a sandpiper would be strutting. It would be a great personification since it explains how the sandpiper walks in arrogance which shows a human quality, which is why strutting came to my mind for this great question. Thanks and hope you like my answer. Bye!