Texas is home to 10 different Gould’s ecoregions as seen on the map above. Ecoregions are areas of land that share similar climate, topography, and soils. In this series, we will dive into each of Texas’ 10 ecoregions one Critter Connections issue at a time. Next up – the Piney Woods!
Texas is home to 10 different Gould’s ecoregions as seen on the map below. Ecoregions are areas of land that share similar climate, topography and soils. In this series, we will dive into each of Texas’ 10 ecoregions one Critter Connections issue at a time. Next up – the Cross Timbers!
Look up, in the sky! What’s soaring above? If it’s winter in Texas, there is a good chance you are seeing falcons that are migrating through. Texas is home to many falcon species. The most well known falcons are the Aplomado falcon, American Kestrel and Peregrine falcon. These birds are either resident, meaning they live here year-round, or migratory, meaning they live here for only part of the year. Most birds like songbirds are spring migrants and will migrate to Texas in the spring, stay here for the warm months, and leave in the fall. But falcons will migrate here in the fall, stay in Texas for the winter, and leave in the spring like many other birds of prey. Birds of prey is a term used to describe birds that are predators. This includes falcons, hawks, eagles and owls.
The American Badger is the only species of badger in Texas and North America. They are distant cousins to hog badgers, ferret badgers, stink badgers and the more well-known European and honey badgers. They are characterized by their flat and wide body (2-3 feet long) covered with grayish brown hair, short legs and pointed head with small ears and black and white face stripes. They have very long front claws and sharp teeth.
The Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the most common wildcat in Texas and North America. They are found all over Texas in many different kinds of habitats. The closest relative to the bobcat is the Canadian Lynx which lives mainly in Canada and Alaska.
Texas is home to over 20 species or types of sparrow, and they are common all over the United States. You have probably seen many different types of sparrow, but you may not realize they are different species of birds because they all look quite similar, especially the females.
Texas is home to several species of woodpecker. They are found across much of the United States and Texas in habitats with trees. Some species or types of woodpeckers will live in habitats with tall cacti too. Texas woodpeckers range in size from the small sparrow-sized Downy Woodpecker to the larger crow-sized Pileated Woodpecker. While they are different sizes, they all have the same adaptations. They are all colored black and white often with red and yellow patterns too. Woodpeckers are named for the behavior they use to find food.
Wildlife is all around us and there are many interesting creatures that can be found in your own backyard. Take a walk outside and explore using your senses of sight and sound and you will be surprised what you might find. This issue focuses on four types of backyard bugs: cicadas, fireflies, June bugs and pill bugs.
Texas is home to 10 different Gould’s ecoregions as seen on the map above. Ecoregions are areas of land that share similar climate, topography, and soils. In this series, we will dive into each of Texas’ 10 ecoregions one Critter Connections issue at a time. Next up – the Piney Woods! 
Texas is home to 10 different Gould’s ecoregions as seen on the map below. Ecoregions are areas of land that share similar climate, topography and soils. In this series, we will dive into each of Texas’ 10 ecoregions one Critter Connections issue at a time. Next up – the Cross Timbers! 
Look up, in the sky! What’s soaring above? If it’s winter in Texas, there is a good chance you are seeing falcons that are migrating through. Texas is home to many falcon species. The most well known falcons are the Aplomado falcon, American Kestrel and Peregrine falcon. These birds are either resident, meaning they live here year-round, or migratory, meaning they live here for only part of the year. Most birds like songbirds are spring migrants and will migrate to Texas in the spring, stay here for the warm months, and leave in the fall. But falcons will migrate here in the fall, stay in Texas for the winter, and leave in the spring like many other birds of prey. Birds of prey is a term used to describe birds that are predators. This includes falcons, hawks, eagles and owls. 
The American Badger is the only species of badger in Texas and North America. They are distant cousins to hog badgers, ferret badgers, stink badgers and the more well-known European and honey badgers. They are characterized by their flat and wide body (2-3 feet long) covered with grayish brown hair, short legs and pointed head with small ears and black and white face stripes. They have very long front claws and sharp teeth. 
The Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the most common wildcat in Texas and North America. They are found all over Texas in many different kinds of habitats. The closest relative to the bobcat is the Canadian Lynx which lives mainly in Canada and Alaska. 
Texas is home to over 20 species or types of sparrow, and they are common all over the United States. You have probably seen many different types of sparrow, but you may not realize they are different species of birds because they all look quite similar, especially the females. 
Texas is home to several species of woodpecker. They are found across much of the United States and Texas in habitats with trees. Some species or types of woodpeckers will live in habitats with tall cacti too. Texas woodpeckers range in size from the small sparrow-sized Downy Woodpecker to the larger crow-sized Pileated Woodpecker. While they are different sizes, they all have the same adaptations. They are all colored black and white often with red and yellow patterns too. Woodpeckers are named for the behavior they use to find food. 
Wildlife is all around us and there are many interesting creatures that can be found in your own backyard. Take a walk outside and explore using your senses of sight and sound and you will be surprised what you might find. This issue focuses on four types of backyard bugs: cicadas, fireflies, June bugs and pill bugs.