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MAMMALS OF TEXAS

MAMMALS OF TEXAS. Diana Foss Urban Wildlife Biologist 281-456-7029 ext. 21 Diana.foss@tpwd.texas.gov. Official ‘state flying mammal’. TEXAS. Official ‘state large mammal’. Official ‘state small mammal’. Mammals in Texas. ORDER Genera Species Didelphimorphia (opossum) 1 1

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MAMMALS OF TEXAS

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  1. MAMMALS OF TEXAS Diana Foss Urban Wildlife Biologist 281-456-7029 ext. 21 Diana.foss@tpwd.texas.gov

  2. Official ‘state flying mammal’ TEXAS Official ‘state large mammal’ Official ‘state small mammal’

  3. Mammals in Texas ORDERGeneraSpecies Didelphimorphia (opossum) 1 1 Insectivora (shrews & moles) 4 5 Chiroptera (bats) 16 32 Xenarthra (armadillo) 1 1 Lagomorpha (hares & rabbits) 2 4 Rodentia (rodents) 28 68 Carnivora (carnivores) 16 28 Pinnipedia (seals) 1 1 Artiodactyla (ungulates) 10 14 Sirenia (manatees) 1 1 Cetacea (whales & dolphins) 17 26 TOTALS 97 181

  4. Classification • Kingdom Animalia • Phylum Chordata • Subphylum Vertebrata • Class Mammalia • Order ______ • Family ______ • Genus • Species

  5. General Mammalian CharacteristicsClass 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

  6. Virginia OpossumDidelphis virginiana Order Didelphimorphia Only NA Marsupial; Nocturnal SIZE: body length 13-20”; tail length9-15”; Weight 4-15 lbs. RANGE: 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 at12 weeks BEHAVIOR: ‘play possum’; prehensile tail; marsupium ½” long

  7. Nine-banded ArmadilloDasypus novemcinctus Order Xenarthra: Armadillos, Sloths, Anteaters Nocturnal, but can be crepuscular and 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

  8. 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

  9. Southern Flying SquirrelGlaucomys volans Nocturnal – large eyes HABITAT: deciduous forests in East Texas;mature forests; live in canopy athighest levels SIZE: body 9” 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

  10. Black-tailed Prairie DogCynomys 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-roomburrow system provides homes tomany other animals, includingblack-footed ferret; help prairie plantsregenerate

  11. PorcupineErethizon 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

  12. BeaverCastor 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 oftrees 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

  13. 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)

  14. 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

  15. Striped SkunkMephitis mephitis Nocturnal, crepuscular SIZE: body 15”; tail 7-8”; weight 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

  16. RaccoonProcyon 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

  17. Ringtail/Cacomistles (Aztec)Bassariscus astutus Nocturnal Description: eyes ringed by dark brown, withinbuffy patches HABITAT: rocky outcroppings, canyons; variety ofhabitats RANGE: Statewide/Central Texas (not coastal orSouth 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

  18. River OtterLutra 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 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

  19. Mountain LionPuma 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; femalesgive birth every other year NOTES: tracks have no claws showing; tail tippedwith black; can reach speeds of 35 mphfor short distance; prefers to ambush prey,kills by breaking neck

  20. BobcatLynx 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

  21. 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 South 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

  22. JaguarundiPuma yagouaroundi cacomitli Diurnal/Crepuscular – more active during day Once ranged in Texas, last confirmed sightingin US was road-killed cat, April 1986 nearBrownsville Federal & State endangered species – isrecovery plan for Texas SIZE: slender body, with black, brown, red fur;7-22 lbs.; flattened head; extra long tails(11-24”); short legs – 11” in height atshoulder HABITAT: Dense thorn scrub forests; bunchgrass fields; woody cover DIET: hunt on ground; birds, rabbits, reptiles, rodents NOTES: reports that they are good swimmers

  23. Red WolfCanis rufus Crepuscular Once ranged in Texas, especially aroundHouston area Extinct in wild in Texas; Federally endangeredspecies Habitat loss & predator control programsdecimated population; began inter-breedingwith 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

  24. CoyoteCanis 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”

  25. Gray FoxUrocyon 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

  26. Red FoxVulpes vulpes Gray fox for comparison Nocturnal, crepuscular Naturalized species – Introduced to TX in 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

  27. 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

  28. White-tailed DeerOdocoileus virginianus Crepuscular SIZE: body 4-6’; tail 6-13”; weight 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

  29. Collared Peccary/JavelinaPecari 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;

  30. PronghornAntilocapra americana Diurnal, crepuscular SIZE: body 4-4.5’; weight 80-130 lbs. HABITAT: semi-arid prairies, rangeland, foothills RANGE: west Texas, including Panhandle 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

  31. Order Chiroptera: Bats • Chiroptera = “hand-wing” • 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

  32. 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.

  33. For More Information: www.tpwd.state.tx.us Special thanks to Carolyn Fannon, David Perry, Paul Montgomery, William Welch, and Brett Johnson for the use of their slides

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