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Stories in Texas

A Bounty of Biodiversity

Exploring the rare, threatened and endangered species of Texas and the legacy of the Endangered Species Act.

A bird with a yellow head and black and white feathers sits on a branch with its beak open in song.
Safeguarding Texas' Species The golden-cheeked warbler was federeally listed as endangered on May 4, 1990. © Rich Kostecke

The Lone Star State is home to tens of thousands of native animal and plant species throughout its varied landscapes. We're talking everything from trees and forbs to bugs and birds to charismatic megafauna and slimy, scaly things—and they all have a place and role to play in nature. But as the climate crisis continues to intensify, species are feeling the strain. Habitats are shifting or disappearing altogether, making it harder for the flora and fauna we know and love to survive.

Bipartisan legislation like the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped lay a foundation for recovery and protection efforts. While the ESA has saved 99% of listed species from extinction (nearly 300 species in total), state fish and wildlife agencies have identified more than 12,000 across the nation that still need conservation help now. It’s critical that we invest in the right science, funding and policies—like the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act—before it’s too late.

An ocelot mother sits with her small kitten in heavy brush.
Protecting biodiversity Ocelots were once found across much of Texas and into Louisiana and Arkansas, but today, fewer than 100 ocelots are known to exist in the entire United States. As a result, the subspecies of ocelot that inhabits Texas and adjacent northeastern Mexico (Leopardus pardalis albescens) is federally endangered. © Fin and Fur Films

The State of Species in Texas

In Texas, experts have identified more than 1,300 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the state—species that are declining or rare and need help to recover. Fragmentation and loss of habitat are some of the greatest threats to our biodiversity. As the state expands, investing in natural and green infrastructure is one of the best ways to ensure that species have the habitat they need to thrive alongside growing communities.

Across Texas, our work aims to connect landscapes, restore habitat and advance recovery efforts for many Lone Star plants and animals. In fact, every strategy that guides our work includes biodiversity benefits or outcomes to support several of the 100+ species listed as either threatened or endangered. Already, numerous species have begun to make a comeback from the brink of extinction thanks to the concerted efforts of state agencies and other partners—but we can’t stop here. As our great state flourishes, we need to preserve our natural heritage so that the species of today don’t fade into Texas lore and legend.

A large white bird walks through tall marshy grass.
RETURN OF THE WHOOPERS The whooping crane was listed as federally endangered on June 2, 1970 after populations dropped due to the loss of coastal prairie and marsh habitat. But following over 50 years of federal protection and decades of habitat conservation, more than 500 whooping cranes are estimated to exist in the wild today, making it one of the Endangered Species Act’s most notable success stories. © Kendal Larson
Two clusters of white flowers with yellow centers hang from branches with green leaves.
SAVING THE SNOWBELL The Texas snowbell is a rare, endemic shrub that grow in the crevices of streamside limestone cliffs on the Edwards Plateau and in the eastern Trans-Pecos Basin. It was listed as an endangered species on October 12, 1984. Partnerships with regional landowners to safeguard habitat and seed collection efforts to produce seedlings have significantly improved Texas snowbells' chances for survival. © Rich Kostecke
RETURN OF THE WHOOPERS The whooping crane was listed as federally endangered on June 2, 1970 after populations dropped due to the loss of coastal prairie and marsh habitat. But following over 50 years of federal protection and decades of habitat conservation, more than 500 whooping cranes are estimated to exist in the wild today, making it one of the Endangered Species Act’s most notable success stories. © Kendal Larson
SAVING THE SNOWBELL The Texas snowbell is a rare, endemic shrub that grow in the crevices of streamside limestone cliffs on the Edwards Plateau and in the eastern Trans-Pecos Basin. It was listed as an endangered species on October 12, 1984. Partnerships with regional landowners to safeguard habitat and seed collection efforts to produce seedlings have significantly improved Texas snowbells' chances for survival. © Rich Kostecke

Biodiversity Abounds

Put your knowledge to the test with this quiz about the species we support through our conservation initiatives in Texas!

A small brown turtle in the sand
A small brown turtle in the sand
Question 1: Which species of endangered sea turtle can be found on the shores of South Padre Island, nesting during the day in group events known as “arribadas?”
A smal lizard with rough brown and grey scales with spikes.
A smal lizard with rough brown and grey scales with spikes.
Question 2: There are three types of horned lizards, or horny toads, in Texas. Can you name the type of horned lizard that commonly resides in the forests of the Davis and Guadalupe mountains of West Texas?
A bird with a yellow head and brown and white feathers.
A bird with a yellow head and brown and white feathers.
Question 3: The federally listed golden-cheeked warbler nests exclusively in the Ashe juniper woodlands of Central Texas, often returning to the same area each year to breed. Select all the TNC preserves where this small songbird can be seen.
A dome-shaped light green cactus with bumps, ridges, and flowers in the center, tucked in brown earth.
A dome-shaped light green cactus with bumps, ridges, and flowers in the center, tucked in brown earth.
Question 4: Can you name the federally endangered cactus that, in Texas, is found in only two counties (Starr and Zapata)? Its dome-like shape resembles that of a sand dollar.
A brown fish with a long, flat snout and a shark-like tail.
A brown fish with a long, flat snout and a shark-like tail.
Question 5: The murky, flowing rivers of East Texas provide excellent habitat for this fish, known for its elongated snout. It’s also considered the oldest surviving animal species in North America. Can you identify this scaleless, toothless creature?
A chicken-like bird with brown and white feathers and a bright orange sac near its head.
A chicken-like bird with brown and white feathers and a bright orange sac near its head.
Question 6: Wild populations of the endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken reached a 20-year high in 2023! During mating season, males woo mates by performing an audibly elaborate display for a group of females. Can you guess the term commonly used for the sound these prairie chickens make during their mating displays?
A cluster of small brown bats in flight.
A cluster of small brown bats in flight.
Question 7: Mexican free-tailed bats are agricultural pest-eating machines! These small mammals can consume up to two-thirds of their body weight, with a single large colony of bats eating up to 2 tons of insects in a night. They are also impressive flyers, which allows them to cover ground quickly. What is the highest recorded flight speed for these bats?
A black bear with a brown snout and paws naps on the ground by the trunk of a tree.
A black bear with a brown snout and paws naps on the ground by the trunk of a tree.
Question 8: Black bears have been steadily returning to Texas after numbers declined significantly in the 1940s. Today, these “beary” rare bruins are protected as an endangered species in Texas. In which part of the state can most of the black bear population be found, often munching on a sotol plant?
An orange butterfly with black streaks and white dots sits on a cluster of yellow, red, and pink flowers.
An orange butterfly with black streaks and white dots sits on a cluster of yellow, red, and pink flowers.
Question 9: The monarch butterfly stores poison in its body as a defense mechanism against predators, and its bright orange colors serve as a warning. The toxicity of the monarchs originates in the caterpillar stage when they eat a certain plant that contains this toxin. What is the common name of this group of plants?
A cluster of oysters, ridged shells, and barnacles.
A cluster of oysters, ridged shells, and barnacles.
Question 10: Oysters are the unsung heroes of our oceans. These beneficial bivalves clean the surrounding water, serving as natural filters and improving water quality. Research shows that in one day, a healthy 25-acre oyster reef can filter roughly the same amount of water as used by which Texas city?

Scoring

Tally up how many questions you answered correctly, and see how you rate:

Nature Novice (1-3 questions)

You're just starting your journey into the wonders of nature! Your curiosity is evident, and you're taking steps to appreciate the plants and wildlife around you. Head outside to keep observing and learning about Lone Star species.

Species Specialist (4-6 questions)

Your knowledge of Texas’ specific plants and animals is impressive. You're developing a keen eye for detail and can identify various species with confidence. You likely spend your free time on iNaturalist when you visit local parks. Keep honing your expertise!

Biodiversity Buff (7-10 questions)

Your knowledge of flora and fauna is extensive, and you're likely a go-to person for questions about the natural world; perhaps you’re even a Texas Master Naturalist. You’re probably already planning your next trip to a Texas State Park. Continue growing and sharing your passion for biodiversity!

Thanks for playing!

More from Texas

Closeup of an ocelot standing on a branch and looking at the camera.

Ocelots in Texas

Ocelots were once found across much of the Lone Star State, but today, fewer than 100 of these wild cats are thought to survive in the United States, roaming between south Texas and Mexico.

A large group of brown pelicans take flight, skimming the ocean surface.

Shamrock Island Bird Rookery

One of the most important bird breeding sites in the Gulf of Mexico—frequented by pelicans, ducks, reddish egret, white-faced ibis and more—is threatened by erosion.

Thousands of bats fly across the evening sky.

Bracken Bat Cave

TNC and partners worked together to secure a 1,521-acre property that protects the largest bat colony in the world, local water supplies and habitat for endangered species.

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