Texas Critters You May Have Never Seen

The other day, a friend of mine posted a picture of a nutria she'd seen at a nearby Central Texas riverside. She thought it might be a beaver, which is completely understandable, as they are about the same size. So I thought I'd compile a collection of the craziest critters in the area. And I know they're all here, because as a lifetime Texan, I've seen them all! How many of these creatures did you know were here?

Barn Owl

If you've ever heard a bone-chilling cry in the middle of a Texas night, well . . . it could be a lot of creatures. But if you then see a white, round face hovering in the mist, it's probably a barn owl. They are found all over Texas and nest everywhere, not just barns. But most people never see one because they only come out at night. You can find out more HERE. 

Photo by: Cherie Haines

Bobcat

I've seen some beautiful animals in my life, but bobcats are about the top of the list. Named for their 'bobbed' tails, they can be found throughout Texas and are divided into two subspecies, the desert bobcat and the Texas bobcat. They are shy and are generally only on the prowl at night, so you'll be lucky to see one! Find out more information HERE. 

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Funny thing about Alligator Snapping Turtles–I've had several wildlife experts swear up and down to me they don't exist in Central Texas. But I've had the fortune to see three in my life, two in Austin and one in Manor. The two in Austin were fighting in Shoal Creek and looked like two prehistoric creatures in some kind of epic battle. They are on the endangered list. If you are ever lucky enough to see one, keep your distance, their bite can snap a log in half so imagine what it could do to a human arm. Well, maybe better not. For more information about these guys, look HERE.

Tarantula Hawk 

Up on the list of 'fiercest insects ever' has to be the tarantula hawk, a type of wasp found all over Texas. They can be up to three inches long and have one of the most potent stings of any wasp (I mean, they have to be able to take down a tarantula, after all). The good news is most of the time they are non-aggressive. So if you see one, best to walk the other way. More information HERE.

Flying Squirrels

Ask a Texan if they've seen a squirrel and they'll probably blink rapidly and point to the backyard. Ask them if they've seen a flying squirrel and they probably won't even know they exist . . . and yet flying squirrels outnumber regular squirrels in some area. 

Flying squirrels can't truly fly, they glide from tree to tree by stretching out their skin like a sail. These creatures are adorable . . . too bad they're hard to find. 

For more information about flying squirrels, go HERE.

Picture by: Cherie Haines

Porcupines

Very few animals look so deceptively huggable as a porcupine, but as we all know even a tiny squeeze would bring pain and maybe even death. Porcupines have up to 30,000 quills. They are mostly slow-moving, easy-going creatures, but if they fear a threat they will swing their tail at an assailant, leaving the would-be attacker with a face full of quills. Ouch. Find out more about Texas porcupines HERE. 

Nutria

These beaver-like creatures are considered an invasive species because they burrow through roots and destroy water vegetation important to other species. However, they are extremely fun to watch if you spot them on the banks of the river. Just look at those orange teeth! 

Find out more about nutrias HERE. 

So that's my list! How many of these animals have YOU spotted in the wild? Which creatures would you add to the list? Please share in the comments below.