Texas Wildlife

Amphibians typically are "cold-blooded" vertebrates which change from an aquatic, water-breathing, limbless larva (or tadpole) to a terrestrial or partially terrestrial, air-breathing, four-legged adult. This group includes: frogs and toads, salamanders and newts, and caecilians (limbless amphibians). Learn more about amphibians.

Birds are warm-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates. Their body is covered with feathers. Birds have beaks, wings and scale covered legs. All birds lay eggs that are covered with a calcium carbonate shell.

Crustaceans are "cold-blooded" invertebrates covered by an exoskeleton, which they must periodically shed in order to grow larger. They also have jointed bodies and legs. Most live in wet environments. This group includes: shrimp, crabs, lobsters and crayfish, barnacles and water fleas, and sow bugs.

Fish are scaled, "cold-blooded" vertebrates found in water environments. They fall into three main groups: agnatha or jawless fish, chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fish and osteichthyes or bony fish. Most fish lay eggs, though a few species give birth to live young. This group includes: Agnatha - lampreys and hagfish, Chondrichthyes - sharks, skates and rays, and Osteichthyes - all other fish.

Insects and Spiders are "cold-blooded" invertebrates covered by an exoskeleton.

Mammals are warm-blooded air-breathing vertebrates. Their body is covered with hair. All mammals feed their young milk. Most mammals give birth to miniature versions of themselves. This group includes: Monotremes - duckbilled platypus, echidnas, Marsupials - opossums, kangaroos, and Placentals - most other mammals. For more information and additional species, see The Mammals of Texas.

Mollusks are soft bodied, "cold-blooded" invertebrates that are covered with a shell made of calcium carbonate. They are divided into 3 groups: bivalves or two-shelled mollusks, gastropods or stomach-footed mollusks, and cephalopods or head-footed mollusks. This group includes: Bivalves - clams, scallops and oysters, Gastropods - snails and slugs, Cephalopods - octopus, squid and chambered nautilus.

Plants are multicellular, nonmobile, photosynthesizing organisms adapted to live on land. They consist of leave and/or stems that capture the sun's energy and an underground root system. This group includes: moss and liverworts, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.

Reptiles are "cold-blooded" air-breathing vertebrates. A tough leathery skin that has embedded scales covers their body. Most reptiles lay eggs, though some give birth to fully-formed young. This group includes crocodiles, alligators, turtles, snakes, lizards, and tuatara.