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List of mammals of Texas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Relief map of Texas
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.

A brown-furred bat with wings that are made of skin.
These three animals were chosen as state mammals in 1995.

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 Nine-banded-Armadillo white background.jpg

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 Image
Choeronycteris mexicana Mexican long-tongued bat Only in South Texas. Rare Choeronycteris mexicana, Mexican long-tongued bat (7371567444) 2.jpg
Diphylla ecaudata Hairy-legged vampire bat Only one ever found in Texas. Very Rare Hairy-legged vampire bat, Diphylla ecaudata (closeup).jpg
Leptonycteris nivalis Greater long-nosed bat Only in Presidio and Brewster Counties. Rare Leptonycteris nivalis.jpg

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 Mormoops megalophylla 11860575.jpg

Evening Bats

This group includes many common bats you might see.

Vespertilionidae (Evening Bats)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Aeorestes cinereus Hoary bat In forests across the state. Common Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus (cropped).jpg
Antrozous pallidus Pallid bat Western Texas, including the Panhandle. Common Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus).jpg
Corynorhinus rafinesquii Rafinesque's big-eared bat Small areas in East Texas forests. Rare Rafinesque's big-eared bat.JPG
Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend's big-eared bat Western Texas, including the Panhandle. Common Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus.jpg
Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat Eastern, northern, and western Texas. Common Flickr - Furryscaly - Smile for the Camera.jpg
Euderma maculatum Spotted bat Only in Big Bend National Park. Rare Side view of spotted bat -Euderma maculatum- by Paul Cryan.jpg
Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat In forested areas statewide. Common Noctivagans Cutie.png
Lasiurus borealis Eastern red bat Statewide, but mostly in eastern and central Texas. Common C-red-bat.jpg
Myotis velifer Cave myotis Most areas of Texas, except Pineywoods. Common Cave Myotis.jpg
Nycticeius humeralis Evening bat Widespread, except the Panhandle. Common Nycticeius humeralis Evening bat.JPG
Parastrellus hesperus Canyon bat Western Texas, especially Trans-Pecos Mountains. Common Western pipistrelle.jpg
Perimyotis subflavus Tricolored bat Most regions of Texas, except Trans-Pecos. Common 221205-F-KN521-0087.jpg

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 Image
Eumops perotis Western mastiff bat South and West Texas. Rare Eumops perotis.jpeg
Nyctinomops femorosacca Pocketed free-tailed bat South Texas. Rare Pocketed free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus).jpg
Nyctinomops macrotis Big free-tailed bat Scattered areas in Panhandle and Trans-Pecos. Rare Nyctinomops macrotus.jpeg
Tadarida brasiliensis Mexican free-tailed bat Statewide in summer, eastern population stays year-round. Common Tadarida brasiliensis.jpg

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 Image
Canis latrans Coyote Found everywhere in Texas. Common Coyote portrait.jpg
Canis lupus Gray wolf No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Front view of a resting Canis lupus ssp.jpg
Canis rufus Red wolf No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Red wolf (4531335218).jpg
Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray fox Found everywhere in Texas. Common Grey Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).jpg
Vulpes macrotis Kit fox Western Texas. Common San Joaquin kit fox male.jpg
Vulpes velox Swift fox Panhandle region. Common Vulpes velox2.jpg

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 Image
Herpailurus yagouaroundi Jaguarundi No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Puma yagouaroundi.jpg
Leopardus pardalis Ocelot Only in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Rare Ocelot (Jaguatirica) Zoo Itatiba.jpg
Leopardus wiedii Margay No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Margay01b.jpg
Lynx rufus Bobcat Found everywhere in Texas. Common Bobcat at Columbus Zoo Boo.jpg
Panthera onca Jaguar No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Standing jaguar.jpg
Puma concolor Cougar Western counties only. Common Mountain Lion in Glacier National Park.jpg

Procyonids: Raccoons and Relatives

This group includes clever animals like raccoons.

Procyonidae (Raccoons and Relatives)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Bassariscus astutus Ring-tailed cat Common in central and western Texas. Common Squaw-ringtail-28073.jpg
Nasua narica White-nosed coati Recently seen in Big Bend and Padre Island. Rare Nasuanarica1.jpg
Procyon lotor Raccoon Found everywhere in Texas. Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) 3.jpg

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 Hog-nosed-skunk.png
Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk Found everywhere in Texas. Common Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) DSC 0030.jpg

Mustelids: Weasels and Otters

This family includes sleek, quick hunters.

Mustelidae (Weasels and Otters)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Lontra canadensis North American river otter Eastern Texas rivers. Common River otter at Chippoke State Park cropped (16632992021).jpg
Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferret No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Mustela nigripes 2.jpg
Neogale frenata Long-tailed weasel Statewide where water is present. Common Bridled weasel.jpg
Taxidea taxus American badger Most of Texas, except far east. Common Taxidea taxus USFWS New Mexico.jpg

Ursids: Bears

Texas once had several types of bears.

Ursidae (Bears)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Ursus americanus American black bear East Texas forests, Trans-Pecos, and Panhandle. Common American black bear Gros Mornе NFL.jpg
Ursus arctos Brown bear No longer found in Texas. Extirpated Kamchatka Brown Bear near Dvuhyurtochnoe on 2015-07-23.jpg
U. a. horribilis Grizzly bear No longer found in Texas. Extirpated GrizzlyBearJeanBeaufort.jpg

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 Collared peccary02 - melbourne zoo.jpg

Deer

Texas is home to several types of deer.

Cervidae (Deer)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Alces alces Moose Very rare visitor. Vagrant Bigbullmoose.jpg
Cervus canadensis Elk Reintroduced to Trans-Pecos and Panhandle. Reintroduced Jasper.Wapiti-Hirsch.P1033401.jpg
Odocoileus hemionus Mule deer Western half of the state. Common Mule buck elk creek m myatt (5489214303).jpg
Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed deer Found everywhere in Texas. Common Deer female in wild.jpg

Pronghorns

Pronghorns are super fast animals.

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

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 American bison k5680-1.jpg
Ovis canadensis Bighorn sheep Reintroduced to Trans-Pecos mountains. Reintroduced New Mexico Bighorn Sheep.JPG

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 Southern short-tailed shrew.jpg
Cryptotis parva North American least shrew Statewide. Common Shrew1opt.jpg

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 ScalopusAquaticus.jpg

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 Underwater photography on endangered mammal manatee.jpg

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 Didelphis virginiana with young.JPG

Rabbits and Hares

Texas has several types of rabbits and hares.

Leporidae (Rabbits and Hares)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Lepus californicus Black-tailed jackrabbit Statewide. Common John Woodhouse Audubon - Texian Hare (Lepus Texianus) - Google Art Project.jpg
Sylvilagus aquaticus Swamp rabbit Eastern Texas. Common The quadrupeds of North America (Plate XXXVII) (6260425611).jpg
Sylvilagus audubonni Desert cottontail Western Texas. Common Sylvilagus audubonii2.jpg
Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern cottontail Statewide. Common Eastern Cottontail.JPG

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 Audubon-castor 1854-RZ.jpg

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 Porcupine-BioDome.jpg

Pocket Gophers

These rodents have large cheek pouches for carrying food.

Geomyidae (Pocket Gophers)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Cratogeomys castanops Yellow-faced pocket gopher Western Texas. Common Cratogeomys castanops.jpg
Geomys arenarius Desert pocket gopher El Paso County. Common Desert pocket gopher.jpg
Geomys attwateri Attwater's pocket gopher Central and coastal East Texas. Common Attwater’s Pockrt Gopher (5A) Weishuhn Rd. Colorado Co. TX; 12 May 2014.jpg
Geomys breviceps Baird's pocket gopher Eastern half of the state. Common GeomysBreviceps.png
Geomys bursarius Plains pocket gopher Northwestern Panhandle. Common Geomys bursarius.jpg
Geomys personatus Texas pocket gopher Far southern Texas. Common Texas Pocket Gopher.jpg
Thomomys bottae Botta's pocket gopher Trans-Pecos and Edwards Plateau. Common Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae).jpg

Squirrels and Prairie Dogs

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

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 Eubalaena glacialis NOAA.jpg

Rorquals

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

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

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 A large black whale with a blunt head and proportionally-small flippers

Beaked Whales

These whales have unique beaks.

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

Oceanic Dolphins

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

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

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 Japanese Snow Monkey (Macaque) Mother Grooms Her Young.jpg

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 Fox - British Wildlife Centre (17429406401).jpg

Introduced Hoofed Mammals

Wild Boar

Suidae (Introduced)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Sus scrofa Wild boar Found everywhere in Texas. Invasive 20160208054949!Wildschein, Nähe Pulverstampftor (cropped).jpg

Introduced Deer

Cervidae (Introduced)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
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 Image
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 Image
Mus musculus House mouse Found everywhere in Texas. Invasive House mouse.jpg
Rattus norvegicus Brown rat Widespread in Texas. Invasive Rattus norvegicus -Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage, England-8.jpg
Rattus rattus Black rat Found everywhere in Texas. Invasive Roofrat Hagenbeck 02.jpg

Nutria

Nutria are large, semi-aquatic rodents.

Myocastoridae (Introduced)
Species Common name Where they live Status Image
Myocastor coypus Nutria Eastern two-thirds of Texas. Invasive Ratao do banhado 1 REFON.jpg

Images for kids

See also

kids search engine
List of mammals of Texas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.