5 Most Common Wild Animals in Texas

One thing we at Woodlands Wildlife Texas recommend that our clients do is to familiarize themselves with the possible wildlife around their area. A little goes a long way, and it’s always smart to educate yourself on the animals that might cause a problem later on. Learning how to identify, and more importantly how to deal with, say, a raccoon can make the difference between quick thinking, efficient removal, and total panic.

So in this article, we talk a bit about the five most common wild animals in Texas, and what you need to know about them. Bear in mind that you may encounter other animals than the ones on this list, and if you do, we strongly recommend that you reach out to a professional wildlife removal company immediately. Do not try to remove or handle the wild animal yourself, as this may result in an altercation, and even endanger your life.

1. Nine-banded Armadillo

The nine-banded armadillo can be found all across North, South, and Central America. This leathery shell mammal’s diet typically consists of a diverse range of insects, such as bugs, beetles, spiders, worms, termites, grubs, and several other insects. Which is how you might run across him in your yard. Simply put, the armadillo isn’t a picky eater, and since grubs and other insects are literally everywhere in your yard, then it’s quite likely you’re in for a nine-banded armadillo sighting.

A common sign of an armadillo infestation is little raised mounds of earth, signaling the presence of armadillo burrows (which it does, as it looks for grubs in the dirt). While the nine-banded armadillo isn’t overly dangerous, it is a carrier of serious, life-threatening illnesses, such as leprosy.

2. Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

By far the most common (though not the only) bat in Texas is the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat. At a first glance, this tiny bat doesn’t seem like much of a threat. Weighing less than half an ounce, and only measuring about 3.5 inches, the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat boasts excellent, large ears that allow it to spot its prey using something known as echolocation.

While it may be unpleasant seeing bats on your property, bear in mind that the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat is considered essential for pest control, and thus protected by law.

3. Badger

To the untrained eye, the badger might look quite similar to the raccoon, as they both have distinctive black and white color patterns across their face. However, know that the beaver’s face will be marked by vertical black lines, going down across its eyes.

Mostly active at night, badgers will spend most of their time underground, digging for worms, grubs, roots, amphibians, and rodents (they’re actually considered essential for controlling the rodent population). The trouble with badgers is that they’re actually quite skilled (not to mention ferocious) fighters, so you don’t want to get into an altercation with one (you or your pet).

So while trapping badgers is legal in Texas, we recommend steering clear and calling a professional wildlife removal company if you find one on your property.

4. Texas Rat Snake

The good news about this big, dark snake is that it’s non-venomous, so you don’t have to worry about that if you run across one in your yard. However, as with pretty much any serpent, you’re still in danger of getting bitten and becoming infected with serious diseases. So if you come across a Texas Rat Snake on your property, your best bet would be to stay indoors (and keep your pets in), and call a professional.

Bear in mind that the Texas Rat Snake can be quite aggressive if it feels threatened, and it will bite, strike, and even smear you with a foul-smelling musk.

5. Virginia Opossum

Last but not least, we’ve got the Virginia Opossum, endemic throughout the state, though most common in the woody areas of East Texas. The Virginia Opossum is a nocturnal critter that’s been around for 50 million years, without suffering any major genetic changes.

If you run into one on your property, it’s most likely looking for food, water, or shelter. Treat it with respect, and aim for live, humane opossum removal, since the Virginia opossum won’t hurt you if you don’t hurt it.