MAMMALS OF TEXAS Diana Foss Urban Wildlife Biologist 281-456-7029 ext. 21 [email protected].
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Transcript of MAMMALS OF TEXAS Diana Foss Urban Wildlife Biologist 281-456-7029 ext. 21 [email protected].
MAMMALS OF TEXAS
Diana FossUrban Wildlife Biologist281-456-7029 ext. [email protected]
Official ‘state large mammal’
Official ‘state flying mammal’
Official ‘state small mammal’
TEXAS
Mammals in TexasORDER Genera Species
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
Classification
• Kingdom Animalia– Phylum Chordata
• Subphylum Vertebrata– Class Mammalia
» Order ______» Family ______» Genus» Species
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
Virginia OpossumDidelphis virginiana
Order Didelphimorphia; Only NA Marsupial; Nocturnal
SIZE: body length 13-20”; tail length 9-15”; 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 at 12 weeks;
BEHAVIOR: ‘play possum’; prehensile tail; marsupium
½” long
Order Xenarthra: Armadillos, Sloths, Anteaters
Nine-Banded ArmadilloDasypus novemcinctus
Nocturnal, but can be crepuscular & diurnalSIZE: 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 – quadrupletsborn 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
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
Southern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
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-footedferret; actually help prairie plants regenerate
Black-tailed Prairie DogCynomys ludovicianus
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
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
of treesREPRO: 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
NutriaMyocastor coypus
Introduced from South America
Nocturnal or crepuscular
Adapted for aquatic life:Eyes, ears smallLarge, 5 toed webbed hind feetFour toes on front, no webbingFur – soft underfur, covered with coarse outer furWaterproofed via oil gland
Skull stout, thickTeeth similar to beaverTail long, rounded, not too hairyPrimarily herbivorousGood diggers, build burrows in banksOften 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 SkunkMephitis 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
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
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 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 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
BobcatLynx rufus
Nocturnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 26-36”; tail 4-7”; weight 15-40 lbs
HABITAT: variety; open country with shelterRANGE: 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
OcelotLeopordus 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 AmericaLess 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
JaguarundiPuma yagouaroundi cacomitli
Diurnal/Crepuscular – more active during day
Once ranged in Texas, last confirmed sighting in US was road-killed cat, April 1986 near BrownsvilleFederal & 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 WolfCanis rufus
Crepuscular
Once ranged in Texas, especially around Houston area Extinct in wild in Texas; Federally endangered speciesHabitat 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,
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”
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
Red FoxVulpes 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 DeerOdocoileus 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/ 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;
PronghornAntilocapra americana
Diurnal, crepuscular
SIZE: body 4-4.5’; weighs 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
• 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: Bats
Mexican Free-tailed bats from Bracken Cave can eat 250 tons of insects per night.
• Order Chiroptera = “hand-wing” • only true flying mammals• crepuscular or nocturnal• good sight, excellent hearing• well-developed hunting skills, including echolocation
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