List of mammals of Texas facts for kids

Topographic map of Texas, showing different land types

Texas is a huge state with many different kinds of places, from wet swamps and thick forests in the east to dry deserts and tall mountains in the west. It also has rolling grasslands in the north and central hills made of rock. All these different areas mean Texas is home to a wide variety of amazing animals, especially mammals!

This article will tell you about the mammals that live in Texas. Some of these animals have always lived here, while others were brought to Texas by people.

Texas loves its wildlife so much that it has three official state mammals: the nine-banded armadillo, the Texas Longhorn (a type of cattle), and the Mexican free-tailed bat. The state also protects many other animal species.

These three animals were chosen as state mammals in 1995.

Amazing Mammals of Texas
Mammals Introduced to Texas
Images for kids
See also

Amazing Mammals of Texas

Armadillos: The Armored Ones

Armadillos are unique mammals mostly found in Latin America. They have a hard, bony shell that protects them.

Nine-banded Armadillo

The Nine-banded armadillo is the official state small mammal of Texas. You can find them almost everywhere in Texas, except for the very western parts. They are known for their tough armor and for digging burrows.

**Dasypodidae (Armadillos)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Dasypus novemcinctus	Nine-banded armadillo	Found in most of Texas.	Common

Bats: Flying Mammals

Texas is home to many different kinds of bats, which are the only mammals that can truly fly!

Leaf-nosed Bats

These bats have special leaf-shaped noses that help them find food.

**Phyllostomidae (Leaf-nosed Bats)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Choeronycteris mexicana	Mexican long-tongued bat	Only in South Texas.	Rare
Diphylla ecaudata	Hairy-legged vampire bat	Only one ever found in Texas.	Very Rare
Leptonycteris nivalis	Greater long-nosed bat	Only in Presidio and Brewster Counties.	Rare

Ghost-faced Bats

These bats have unique faces that help them with echolocation.

**Mormoopidae (Ghost-faced Bats)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Mormoops megalophylla	Ghost-faced bat	Found in western and southern Texas.	Common

Evening Bats

This group includes many common bats you might see.

**Vespertilionidae (Evening Bats)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Aeorestes cinereus	Hoary bat	In forests across the state.	Common
Antrozous pallidus	Pallid bat	Western Texas, including the Panhandle.	Common
Corynorhinus rafinesquii	Rafinesque's big-eared bat	Small areas in East Texas forests.	Rare
Corynorhinus townsendii	Townsend's big-eared bat	Western Texas, including the Panhandle.	Common
Eptesicus fuscus	Big brown bat	Eastern, northern, and western Texas.	Common
Euderma maculatum	Spotted bat	Only in Big Bend National Park.	Rare
Lasionycteris noctivagans	Silver-haired bat	In forested areas statewide.	Common
Lasiurus borealis	Eastern red bat	Statewide, but mostly in eastern and central Texas.	Common
Myotis velifer	Cave myotis	Most areas of Texas, except Pineywoods.	Common
Nycticeius humeralis	Evening bat	Widespread, except the Panhandle.	Common
Parastrellus hesperus	Canyon bat	Western Texas, especially Trans-Pecos Mountains.	Common
Perimyotis subflavus	Tricolored bat	Most regions of Texas, except Trans-Pecos.	Common

Free-tailed Bats

These bats have tails that stick out past their wing membranes.

**Molossidae (Free-tailed Bats)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Eumops perotis	Western mastiff bat	South and West Texas.	Rare
Nyctinomops femorosacca	Pocketed free-tailed bat	South Texas.	Rare
Nyctinomops macrotis	Big free-tailed bat	Scattered areas in Panhandle and Trans-Pecos.	Rare
Tadarida brasiliensis	Mexican free-tailed bat	Statewide in summer, eastern population stays year-round.	Common

Carnivores: Meat Eaters

Texas has many different meat-eating mammals, from small foxes to large bears.

Canids: Dogs and Foxes

This family includes wild dogs and foxes.

**Canidae (Dogs and Foxes)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Canis latrans	Coyote	Found everywhere in Texas.	Common
Canis lupus	Gray wolf	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
Canis rufus	Red wolf	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
Urocyon cinereoargenteus	Gray fox	Found everywhere in Texas.	Common
Vulpes macrotis	Kit fox	Western Texas.	Common
Vulpes velox	Swift fox	Panhandle region.	Common

Felids: Wild Cats

Texas has several types of wild cats, though some are no longer found there.

**Felidae (Wild Cats)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Herpailurus yagouaroundi	Jaguarundi	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
Leopardus pardalis	Ocelot	Only in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.	Rare
Leopardus wiedii	Margay	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
Lynx rufus	Bobcat	Found everywhere in Texas.	Common
Panthera onca	Jaguar	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
Puma concolor	Cougar	Western counties only.	Common

Procyonids: Raccoons and Relatives

This group includes clever animals like raccoons.

**Procyonidae (Raccoons and Relatives)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Bassariscus astutus	Ring-tailed cat	Common in central and western Texas.	Common
Nasua narica	White-nosed coati	Recently seen in Big Bend and Padre Island.	Rare
Procyon lotor	Raccoon	Found everywhere in Texas.	Common

Mephitids: Skunks

Skunks are known for their strong smell!

**Mephitidae (Skunks)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Conepatus leuconotus	American hog-nosed skunk	Central and southern Texas.	Common
Mephitis mephitis	Striped skunk	Found everywhere in Texas.	Common

Mustelids: Weasels and Otters

This family includes sleek, quick hunters.

**Mustelidae (Weasels and Otters)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Lontra canadensis	North American river otter	Eastern Texas rivers.	Common
Mustela nigripes	Black-footed ferret	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
Neogale frenata	Long-tailed weasel	Statewide where water is present.	Common
Taxidea taxus	American badger	Most of Texas, except far east.	Common

Ursids: Bears

Texas once had several types of bears.

**Ursidae (Bears)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Ursus americanus	American black bear	East Texas forests, Trans-Pecos, and Panhandle.	Common
Ursus arctos	Brown bear	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated
U. a. horribilis	Grizzly bear	No longer found in Texas.	Extirpated

Hoofed Mammals

These mammals have hooves and include deer, bison, and more.

Peccaries

Peccaries are pig-like animals.

**Tayassuidae (Peccaries)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Dicotyles tajacu	Collared peccary	Western and southern Texas.	Common

Deer

Texas is home to several types of deer.

**Cervidae (Deer)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Alces alces	Moose	Very rare visitor.	Vagrant
Cervus canadensis	Elk	Reintroduced to Trans-Pecos and Panhandle.	Reintroduced
Odocoileus hemionus	Mule deer	Western half of the state.	Common
Odocoileus virginianus	White-tailed deer	Found everywhere in Texas.	Common

Pronghorns

Pronghorns are super fast animals.

**Antilocapridae (Pronghorns)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Antilocapra americana	Pronghorn	Central and Western Texas.	Common

Bovids: Bison and Sheep

This family includes large grazing animals.

**Bovidae (Bison and Sheep)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Bison bison	American bison	Reintroduced to parks and private lands.	Reintroduced
Ovis canadensis	Bighorn sheep	Reintroduced to Trans-Pecos mountains.	Reintroduced

Shrews and Moles

These are small, often unseen mammals.

Shrews

Shrews are tiny, mouse-like mammals with long snouts.

**Soricidae (Shrews)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Blarina carolinensis	Southern short-tailed shrew	Eastern Texas.	Common
Cryptotis parva	North American least shrew	Statewide.	Common

Moles

Moles are burrowing mammals with strong claws.

**Talpidae (Moles)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Scalopus aquaticus	Eastern mole	Eastern two-thirds of Texas.	Common

Manatees: Gentle Giants of the Water

Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals.

**Trichechidae (Manatees)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Trichechus manatus	West Indian manatee	Rare in Texas waters, seen along the coast.	Rare

Opossums: North America's Only Marsupial

Opossums are unique because they carry their babies in a pouch, like kangaroos!

**Didelphidae (Opossums)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Didelphis virginiana	Virginia opossum	Most of Texas, except dry western areas.	Common

Rabbits and Hares

Texas has several types of rabbits and hares.

**Leporidae (Rabbits and Hares)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Lepus californicus	Black-tailed jackrabbit	Statewide.	Common
Sylvilagus aquaticus	Swamp rabbit	Eastern Texas.	Common
Sylvilagus audubonni	Desert cottontail	Western Texas.	Common
Sylvilagus floridanus	Eastern cottontail	Statewide.	Common

Rodents: Gnawing Mammals

Rodents are the largest group of mammals, known for their strong front teeth.

Beavers

Beavers are famous for building dams.

**Castoridae (Beavers)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Castor canadensis	North American beaver	Statewide near water.	Common

Porcupines

Porcupines are known for their sharp quills.

**Erethizontidae (Porcupines)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Erethizon dorsatum	North American porcupine	Western half of the state.	Common

Pocket Gophers

These rodents have large cheek pouches for carrying food.

**Geomyidae (Pocket Gophers)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Cratogeomys castanops	Yellow-faced pocket gopher	Western Texas.	Common
Geomys arenarius	Desert pocket gopher	El Paso County.	Common
Geomys attwateri	Attwater's pocket gopher	Central and coastal East Texas.	Common
Geomys breviceps	Baird's pocket gopher	Eastern half of the state.	Common
Geomys bursarius	Plains pocket gopher	Northwestern Panhandle.	Common
Geomys personatus	Texas pocket gopher	Far southern Texas.	Common
Thomomys bottae	Botta's pocket gopher	Trans-Pecos and Edwards Plateau.	Common

Squirrels and Prairie Dogs

This group includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs.

Texas antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus interpres)
Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger)
Mexican ground squirrel (Spermophilus mexicanus)
Spotted ground squirrel (Spermophilus spilosoma)
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus)
Rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus)

Whales and Dolphins: Ocean Mammals

Many types of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters off the coast of Texas.

Right Whales

Right whales are large, slow-moving whales.

**Balaenidae (Right Whales)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Eubalaena glacialis	North Atlantic right whale	Rare in Texas waters.	Rare

Rorquals

This group includes some of the largest whales, like blue whales.

**Balaenopteridae (Rorquals)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Balaenoptera acutorostrata	Minke whale	Rare sightings.	Rare
Balaenoptera edeni	Bryde's whale	Seen yearly in shallow waters.	Common
Balaenoptera musculus	Blue whale	Rare in Texas waters.	Rare
Megaptera novaeangliae	Humpback whale	Rare in Texas waters.	Rare

Sperm Whales

Sperm whales are known for their huge heads.

**Physeteridae (Sperm Whales)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Physeter macrocephalus	Sperm whale	In deep Gulf waters.	Common

Beaked Whales

These whales have unique beaks.

**Ziphiidae (Beaked Whales)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Mesoplodon densirostris	Blainville's beaked whale	In deep Gulf waters.	Rare
Mesoplodon europaeus	Gervais' beaked whale	In deep Gulf waters.	Rare
Ziphius cavirostris	Cuvier's beaked whale	In deep Gulf waters.	Rare

Oceanic Dolphins

This group includes many well-known dolphins and killer whales.

**Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Delphinus delphis	Short-beaked common dolphin	In Gulf waters.	Common
Orcinus orca	Killer whale	Uncommon in Texas waters.	Rare
Pseudorca crassidens	False killer whale	In Gulf waters.	Common
Tursiops truncatus	Common bottlenose dolphin	Common in Texas coastal waters.	Common

Mammals Introduced to Texas

Some mammals living in Texas today were brought here by people, either on purpose or by accident. These are called introduced or invasive species.

Primates

Japanese Macaque

**Primates**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Macaca fuscata	Japanese macaque	Introduced to a sanctuary in Frio County.	Introduced

Introduced Carnivores

Red Fox

**Canidae (Introduced)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Vulpes vulpes	Red fox	Widespread, except far western and southern Texas.	Introduced

Introduced Hoofed Mammals

Wild Boar

**Suidae (Introduced)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status	Image
Sus scrofa	Wild boar	Found everywhere in Texas.	Invasive

Introduced Deer

**Cervidae (Introduced)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Axis axis	Chital	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced
Cervus elaphus	Red deer	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced
Cervus nippon	Sika deer	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced
Dama dama	European fallow deer	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced

Introduced Antelopes & Sheep

**Bovidae (Introduced)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Ammotragus lervia	Barbary sheep	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced
Antilope cervicapra	Blackbuck	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced
Boselaphus tragocamelus	Nilgai	Introduced to Texas.	Introduced

Introduced Rodents

Old World Mice & Rats

These rodents were brought to Texas from other parts of the world.

**Muridae (Introduced)**
Species	Common name	Where they live	Status
Mus musculus	House mouse	Found everywhere in Texas.	Invasive
Rattus norvegicus	Brown rat	Widespread in Texas.	Invasive
Rattus rattus	Black rat	Found everywhere in Texas.	Invasive