Texas Mammals: Big, Small, and Everything in Between

Texas Times

Texas is a land full of abundant natural surprises that vary in shape and size. From our rolling hills to the delicate petals of the bluebonnet, our state has many distinctive traits and symbols that make us proud to be Texans. With a state so vast and with so much to offer, it should come as no surprise that we have selected not just one, but three different state mammals.

Dasypus novemcinctus, more commonly known as the nine-banded armadillo, is the state’s small mammal. This cat-sized creature gets its name from the peculiar nine-jointed bands across the midsection that allows it to move with greater flexibility. Their sleek armored shell and piercing dark eyes have mesmerized spectators for ages. Once found only in the lower Rio Grande Valley, armadillos have now spread to our neighboring states and beyond.

Because of their poor eyesight, armadillos are forced to rely completely on their sense of smell and sound in order to decipher prey from other predators. Contrary to popular belief, this species of armadillo does not roll into a ball when startled. Instead, armadillos can jump nearly five feet in the air.

Perhaps the most recognizable of our three state mammals is the Texas Longhorn. This breed of cattle serves as the official mascot of the University of Texas and is also the official symbol of Fort Worth – nicknamed “Cowtown.”

Longhorns are the only breed of cattle that have truly adapted to the North American lifestyle and are most unique in that their existence is based solely on their ability to survive the perils of nature. Climate changes and environmental complications have taken their toll on other animals, including the ancient bison and the woolly mammoth, which were not able to adapt to the changes of the land. But the Texas Longhorn outlasted them all and continues to roam throughout Texas.

Perhaps Texas columnist James Frank Dobie put it best when he said, “The Texas Longhorn was bred not by man but shaped by nature and man benefited.”

Texas’ third official state mammal is the only one of the three that can fly – the Mexican free-tailed bat. These mammals are unique in that they use echolocation, a technique that helps them navigate and find prey in the dark.

Mexican free-tailed bats are an unusual bunch that can be found in the caves of Texas, Mexico, and other regions in Central America. Their colonies are so numerous that they are regarded as being the biggest assembly of mammals in the world. Bracken Cave, a remote area north of San Antonio, is home to nearly 20 million bats that can eat up to 250 tons of insects each night.

Thousands of people journey to Austin during the warm summer months to catch a glimpse of the estimated 1.5 million bats that live under the Congress Avenue Bridge. For the last three years, Austin has hosted Bat Fest to honor the state’s flying mammals, which draws tens of thousands of people. Within view of the state capitol, travelers are able to witness the winged mammals take flight across the radiant Texas night sky. Come winter, most bats will migrate to Mexico though a few thousand will stay around Austin. The rest will come back in the spring.

From small animals that slurp their evening meals to soaring figures that hover high above the trees, Texas is certainly the place to observe a wide variety of animals. The three mammals handpicked to represent our state are more than just creatures that live among us. They are striking representations of all that Texas has to offer and contribute much to the essence of our state.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary and Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.