Texas Wildlife: Animals You’ll See (and the Ones to Avoid)

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Texas has deserts, forests, prairies, wetlands and a long coastline, so it’s home to an amazing range of wildlife. Some of it is iconic, some of it is adorable, and some of it you’ll want to keep your distance from. Here’s a guide to the animals you’re likely to see in Texas, and the ones to watch out for.

Iconic Texas animals

Nine-banded armadillo

The small mammal of Texas, armored and nocturnal, often seen digging in yards at night or, sadly, along roadsides. Armadillos can carry the bacteria that cause leprosy, so don’t handle them.

Texas longhorn

The state large mammal, with horns that can stretch more than six feet tip to tip. Descended from Spanish cattle, longhorns built the great cattle drives of the 1800s. See them at ranches, state parks and the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Mexican free-tailed bat

The state flying mammal. Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, with up to about 1.5 million bats. From roughly March to October, crowds gather at sunset to watch them stream out to hunt insects.

Greater roadrunner

A fast, ground-running bird of West and South Texas that can reach speeds around 20 miles per hour and even eats small rattlesnakes.

Northern mockingbird

The state bird, famous for mimicking the songs of other birds, car alarms and more, sometimes all night long.

Javelina

Also called the collared peccary, a pig-like animal of South and West Texas that travels in groups. Javelinas have poor eyesight and can be defensive, so give them space.

Wildlife worth seeking out

• Birds: Texas is one of the top birding states in the country, sitting on major migration routes. The coast and the Rio Grande Valley are especially rich.
• Whooping cranes: one of the rarest birds in North America winters on the Texas coast near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
• Monarch butterflies: Texas is a key stop on their migration between Canada and Mexico.
• White-tailed deer: found statewide, especially in the Hill Country. Watch for them on roads at dawn and dusk.
• American alligators: live in East Texas and coastal wetlands. Never feed them.
• Sea turtles: Kemp’s ridley sea turtles nest on Padre Island National Seashore.

Texas animals to avoid

Venomous snakes

Most Texas snakes are harmless, but four kinds are venomous:

• Rattlesnakes, including the western diamondback, found across most of the state
• Copperheads, common in wooded areas and leaf litter
• Cottonmouths (water moccasins), near water in the eastern half of the state
• Coral snakes, small and brightly banded red, yellow and black

Watch where you put your hands and feet, stay on trails, and use a flashlight at night. If you’re bitten, stay calm and get to a hospital right away. Don’t cut the wound or try to suck out venom.

Fire ants

Red imported fire ants build mounds in yards and parks across much of Texas. Their stings burn and leave itchy blisters. Teach kids to recognize the mounds, and never stand on one.

Scorpions

The striped bark scorpion is common in Texas homes, especially in warm months. Stings are painful but rarely dangerous for healthy adults. Shake out shoes and clothes left on the floor.

Brown recluse and black widow spiders

Both live in Texas and like quiet, undisturbed places such as closets, garages and woodpiles. Wear gloves when moving stored boxes or firewood.

Mosquitoes

Especially in humid East Texas and along the coast. Use repellent, and empty standing water around your home.

Gear for Texas wildlife and the outdoors

• Snake gaiters for hiking in tall grass and brush.
• Binoculars for bird watching.
• A Birds of Texas field guide.
• A UV flashlight. Scorpions glow under blacklight.
• Fire ant bait for your yard.
• Picaridin insect repellent.

The best place to see Texas wildlife is in its parks. Start with our guide to the best Texas state parks. New to the state? Read our guide to moving to Texas.

Seen something amazing on a Texas trail? Share your photos on the Texas Journeys Facebook page.