MAMMALS OF TEXAS
Diana Foss
Urban Wildlife Biologist
281-456-7029 ext. 21
Diana.foss@tpwd.texas.gov
TEXAS
Official ‘state flying mammal’
Official ‘state large mammal’
Official ‘state small mammal’
Mammals in Texas
ORDER
Didelphimorphia (opossum)
Insectivora (shrews & moles)
Chiroptera (bats)
Xenarthra (armadillo)
Lagomorpha (hares & rabbits)
Rodentia (rodents)
Carnivora (carnivores)
Pinnipedia (seals)
Artiodactyla (ungulates)
Sirenia (manatees)
Cetacea (whales & dolphins)
TOTALS
Genera
1
4
16
1
2
28
16
1
10
1
17
97
Species
1
5
32
1
4
68
28
1
14
1
26
181
Classification
• Kingdom Animalia
– Phylum Chordata
• Subphylum Vertebrata
– Class Mammalia
» Order ______
» Family ______
» Genus
» Species
General Mammalian Characteristics
Class Mammalia
• Hair
• Skin with sweat, scent, sebaceous, and mammary
glands
• Mouth with teeth
• Movable eyelids & fleshy external ears
• Four-chambered heart
• Respiration system with lungs, larynx, diaphragm
• Brain highly developed
• Able to regulate body temperature internally
• Internal fertilization
• Young nourished by milk from mammary glands
½” long
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
Order Didelphimorphia;
SIZE:
RANGE:
Only NA Marsupial; Nocturnal
body length 13-20”; tail length 9-15”; Weight 4-15 lbs.
all Texas except Trans-Pecos
DIET: 50 teeth; worms, insects, eggs, grain, fruit, nuts, reptiles, frogs, birds, vegetables,
garbage, carrion
REPROD: 2 litters/yr; 6-20 kits born blind & hairless after gestation of 2 weeks; nurse for
8 weeks, ride on back for 4 weeks, fully independent at 12 weeks;
BEHAVIOR: ‘play possum’; prehensile tail; marsupium
Order Xenarthra: Armadillos, Sloths, Anteaters
Nine-Banded Armadillo
Dasypus novemcinctus
Nocturnal, but can be crepuscular & diurnal
SIZE: Body 15-17”; Tail 13-15”; Weight 8-17 lbs.
RANGE: all Texas except Trans-Pecos and Panhandle
DIET: insects, slugs/worms, frogs, eggs, mice, snakes,
berries, vegetation, carrion; smell worms 8” underground
REPROD: 1 litter/yr – quadruplets
born in Feb – Mar; gestation 120 days; skin
soft at birth
NOTES: hold breath up to 6 minutes;
can gulp air to float & swim;
roll into “ball” for defense
Order Rodentia: Rodents
•
•
•
•
•
Worldwide = 1,686 rodent species
Texas = 64 native rodent species
Mice, rats, squirrels, gophers, porcupine, beaver
Incisors grow continuously through life
Most eat vegetation, but few feed on animal
matter
• Some hibernate, such as
ground squirrels
Southern Flying
Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
Nocturnal – large eyes
HABITAT: deciduous forests in East Texas;
mature forests; live in canopy at highest levels
SIZE: body 9 inches long
DIET: nuts, seeds, fruit, flowers, some insects and bird eggs; will
cache nuts in cavities for future
REPRO: 2 litters/yr; 3 (to 7) pups; weaned at 5 weeks; Nest in
snags, tree cavities, old woodpecker holes,
artificial nest boxes; Often use nest boxes
when habitat is becoming too fragmented;
Nest lined with Shredded bark, moss, lichen,
leaves, feathers
NOTES: use patagium to glide (NOT fly);
Do not hibernate
Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Cynomys ludovicianus
Diurnal; prairies, grasslands
RANGE: west of Balcones Escarpment, Panhandle,
Trans-Pecos
DIET: vegetation, primarily low-growing weeds and grasses
REPRO: 1 litter/yr; 4-5 young born March/Apr; blind & hairless at birth,
first appear above ground at 6 weeks age; sexual maturity reached 2nd
year
NOTES: extensive social structure;
Multi-room burrow system provide homes to
Many other animals, including black-footed
ferret; actually help prairie plants regenerate
Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
Nocturnal
SIZE: body 18-23”; tail 6-12”; weight 10-28 lbs.
HABITAT: woodlands, ridges, rocky areas all
over Texas
DIET: clover, grass, seeds, grain, leaves,
evergreen
needles, aquatic plants, acorns,
bark, twigs
REPROD: single pup born with eyes open &
dark fur
with soft 1” quills Apr/May after 7
month gestation; fully independent at 5 months
NOTES: adult has 30,000 quills –
does NOT shoot quills; drags tail;
makes whiny whimper & grunt sound
Beaver
Castor canadensis
Nocturnal, sometimes crepuscular
SIZE: body 27-35”; tail 15”long, 7”
wide; weight 28-75 lbs.
RANGE: all Texas, primarily east and
along river systems
DIET: leaves, buds, twigs, fruit, ferns,
water lily, ragweed, Bermuda grass,
roots of aquatic plants, inner bark
of trees
REPRO: 1 litter/yr; 1-4 kits born with fur Apr/May after 100 day
gestation; fully independent at 2 years
NOTES: waterproof fur, webbed feet, goggle-like eyelids, nose & ear
flaps;
able to hold breath for 15 minutes
Nutria
Myocastor coypus
Introduced from South America
Nocturnal or crepuscular
Adapted for aquatic life:
Eyes, ears small
Large, 5 toed webbed hind feet
Four toes on front, no webbing
Fur – soft underfur, covered with coarse outer fur
Waterproofed via oil gland
Skull stout, thick
Teeth similar to beaver
Tail long, rounded, not too hairy
Primarily herbivorous
Good diggers, build burrows in banks
Often live in groups (parents & offspring)
Order Carnivora: Carnivores
• Worldwide = 238 species
• Texas = 27 native species
• “Flesh-eating,” although
several may feed on vegetation
during specific seasons
• Ocelot, bobcat, black bear,
otter, foxes, skunks, raccoon,
coati, badger
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Nocturnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 15”; tail 7-8”; wt 3-10 lbs.
HABITAT: rocky areas with thick vegetation, open woodlands,
usually near water; all over Texas
DIET: small mammals, insects, reptiles, fruit, eggs, garbage,
carrion, little vegetation
REPRO: 3-7 kits born Apr-May blind, toothless; eyes open at 3
wks; weaned 8 wks, independent at 10 wks
NOTES: track shows 5 toes across each foot;
can squirt foul liquid from musk gland up to 15 feet (even 3 wk old
can spray); before spraying, hisses & stomps feet & waves tail in
warning
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Nocturnal
SIZE: body 16-28”; tail 8-12”; weight 15-40 lbs.
HABITAT: primarily woodlands, usually near water
RANGE: all Texas
DIET: nuts, berries, insects, crayfish/crustaceans, vegetables,
grain, fruit, fish, frogs, birds, eggs, rodents, carrion, garbage
REPRO: 1 litter/yr; 2-7 kits born Apr-Oct; light fur cover with faint
mask and ringed tail; fully independent at 4-6 months
NOTES: tracks look like hand-prints; excellent climber/swimmer;
makes purring sound; highly adaptable and “urban generalist”; does
help control feral cats
Ringtail/ Cacomistles
(Aztec)
Bassariscus astutus
Nocturnal
Description: eyes ringed by dark brown, within buffy patches
HABITAT: rocky outcroppings, canyons; variety of habitats
RANGE: Statewide / Central Texas (not coastal or South TX
DIET: Omnivorous; rodents, insects, birds, lizards, snakes,
frogs, carrion; nuts, berries, and nectar
REPRO: 1 litter/yr; 1-4 kits born Feb - May; light fur cover with
faint mask and ringed tail; fully independent before 10 months
NOTES: excellent climber; solitary except during breeding
season; make many vocalizations, including high pitched
scream; ‘miner’s cat’ – kept as mouser
River Otter
Lutra
canadensis
Active any time, year-round; shy
HABITAT: Usually swampy, riparian areas
RANGE: Eastern half of Texas
DIET: rough fish, crayfish, frogs, reptiles, insects, birds, small
mammals
REPRO: not as much known; 2 pups born in underground den (base
of hollow tree or old beaver lodge, etc.); raised by female
NOTES: Streamlined body, webbed toes & waterproof fur with oil;
layer of fat beneath skin allows flexibility; playful – make slides on
mud banks; Population in Texas bouncing back due to less fur
trapping
Mountain
Lion
Puma concolor
Nocturnal
SIZE: body 6-8’; tail 2-3’; weight 75-200 lbs.
HABITAT: mountains, canyons, swamps, forest, desert
RANGE: southern & western Texas; 75-200 sq. miles
DIET: large and small mammals
REPRO: 1-4 cubs born blind with spotted fur; independent at 1.5 to
2 years; females give birth every other year
NOTES: tracks have no claws showing; tail tipped with black;
can reach speeds of 35 mph for short distance; prefers to ambush
prey, kills by breaking neck
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
Nocturnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 26-36”; tail 4-7”;
weight 15-40 lbs
HABITAT: variety; open country with shelter
RANGE: all Texas
DIET: rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, deer, birds, carrion
REPRO: 2-7 kits born blind with spotted fur; eat meat at 4 wks;
fully independent at 5 months
NOTES: mostly gray fur during winter; leaves scratch marks on
trees; can leap 7-10’ in single bound; excellent climbers;
stores uneaten catch beneath vegetation
Ocelot
Leopordus pardalis
Nocturnal; rest in tree branches during day
SIZE: Adult 20-35 lbs; 16-20 in height
HABITAT: Dense Thorn scrub brush;
Native to So TX, Mexico, Central and South America
Less than 50 free-ranging ocelots in TX – Federal & State ENDANGERED
DIET: Rabbits, mice, rats, birds
REPRODUCTION: 1 kitten/litter; leave mother at 2 years
NOTES:
Can turn ankle joints around to climb ‘down’ a tree; claws can retract;
good climbers/swimmers; spot pattern unique to each individual
Jaguarundi
Puma yagouaroundi cacomitli
Diurnal/Crepuscular – more active during day
Once ranged in Texas, last confirmed sighting in US
was road-killed cat, April 1986 near Brownsville
Federal & State endangered species - is recovery plan
for Texas
SIZE: slender body, with black, brown, red fur; 7-22
lbs.; flattened head; extra long tails (11-24 inches);
short legs – 11 inches in height at shoulder
HABITAT: Dense thorn scrub forests; bunchgrass
fields; woody cover
DIET:
hunt on ground; birds, rabbits, reptiles, rodents;
NOTES: reports that they are good swimmers;
Red Wolf
Canis rufus
Crepuscular
Once ranged in Texas, especially around
Houston area
Extinct in wild in Texas; Federally endangered
species
Habitat loss & predator control programs
decimated population; began inter-breeding
with coyotes
SIZE: body 48” long; 26” high at shoulder;
weight 48-80 lbs.
HABITAT: forests, swamps, prairies
DIET: primarily rabbits, rodents, other small
mammals, deer. insects,
Coyote
Canis latrans
Nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular in variety of habitat all over
Texas
SIZE: body 32-40”; tail 12-15”; weight 18-40 lbs.
DIET: small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, frogs, deer, carrion;
stores food under leaves/soil
REPRO:1 litter/yr; 5-10 pups born Mar-June; eyes open 8-14
days; both adults feed regurgitated food; independent at 6-9 mths.
NOTES: highly adaptable animal (generalist); tracks show claw
marks; capable of running 30 mph; distinct howl with “yappy
yelps”
Gray Fox
Urocyon
cinereoargenteus
Nocturnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 21-45”; tail 11-16”; weight 7-13 lbs.
HABITAT: open woodlands, canyons, desert, urban areas
RANGE: all Texas
DIET: birds, eggs, rabbits, reptiles, berries, fruit, insects, crayfish
REPRO: 1 litter/yr.; 3-7 pups born Feb-May; males helps care for
young
NOTES: tracks show claw marks; tail tipped in black;
can easily climb trees; can reach speeds of 26-29 mph for short
distances; does help control feral cat populations
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Nocturnal, crepuscular
Naturalized species – Introduced to TX 1895
HABITAT: open woodlands, savannahs
RANGE: East to Central Texas
DIET: rodents, rabbits, berries, fruit, insects
REPRO: pair mate for life; 1 litter/yr.; 4-6 pups
born Mar-Apr. ; both parents care for young;
underground den
Gray fox for comparison
Order Artiodactyla: Hoofed Mammals
• Worldwide = 192 species
• Texas = 7 native species
• Natives – big horn mountain sheep, bison, elk,
white-tailed deer, mule deer, collared peccary,
pronghorn
• Two or four toes on front foot; 3 toes on hind
foot
• Subdivided by chambers in stomach – 3 or 4
• Horns or antlers
• Monocular vision
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Crepuscular
SIZE: body 4-6’; tail 6-13”; wt 65-150 lbs.
HABITAT: wide variety; likes river bottoms
RANGE: all Texas
DIET: vegetation – acorns, grain, legumes, shrubs, trees,
forbs, grapes, catbriars, fruit
REPRO: 1-2 fawns born with white spots Apr-July after 7
month
gestation; spots remain 3-4 months; males
independent at 1 yr, females at 2 yrs;
leave fawns in place - odorless
NOTES: can run 35-40 mph; during breeding
season, males have antlers, NOT horns;
Collared Peccary/ Javelina
Pecari tajacu
Nocturnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 29-39”; tail 2”; weight 35-60 lbs.
HABITAT: desert, arid woodlands, scrub range
RANGE: southern and southwestern Texas
DIET: flowers, fruit, nuts, cacti, bulbs, roots, grubs, reptiles, eggs, mesquite beans,
acorns, carrion
REPRO: 1-4 young born fully mobile; young with dark dorsal stripe; 1 lb. each;
weaned at 6-8 weeks, independent at 2-3 months; 1- 2 litters/ yr.
NOTES: heart-shaped hooves; males have spear-like tusks;
average lifespan 7-8 yrs.; only pig-like species native to North America; excellent
sense of smell but somewhat poorer eyesight;
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
Diurnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 4-4.5’; weighs 80-130 lbs.
HABITAT: semi-arid prairies, rangeland, foothills
Texas, including Panhandle
RANGE: west
DIET: sagebrush, forbs, grasses, clover, wildflowers, cacti, cedar
REPRO: 1-2 fawns born Apr-June after 7.5 month gestation; young
odorless; 50-80% fawns lost to predators; independent by fall
NOTES: excellent peripheral vision;
both sexes have black branched HORNS (smaller on females);
fastest mammal in North America;
found nowhere else in world; can reach 35-60 mph
Order Chiroptera: Bats
• Worldwide = Over 1,300 species
• Texas = 33 bat species, including both the
largest and smallest for North America,
more bats than any other state in US
– largest = Western Mastiff
– smallest = Western Pipistrelle
• Houston area = 11 species
• Order Chiroptera = “hand-wing”
• only true flying mammals
• crepuscular or nocturnal
• good sight, excellent hearing
• well-developed hunting skills, including echolocation
Mexican Free-tailed bats from Bracken Cave can eat 250
tons of insects per night.
For More Information:
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Special thanks to the following people for
the use of their slides: Carolyn Fannon,
David Perry, Paul Montgomery, William
Welch, Brett Johnson