When you think of Texas, you may think of longhorn cattle and broncos. Sure, there are a lot of cattle and horses in Texas, but those are imported newcomers. There are many other animals and plants that are native to Texas and still thrive there.
The Texas state animal is the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), a cat-sized mammal whose Spanish name translates as "little armored one." Armadillos eat ants, termites and other insects, according to National Geographic. They have notoriously bad eyesight and hunt by smelling their prey. Armadillos also eat carrion, plants and small reptiles. They are related to sloths and anteaters.
The grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is another animal native to Texas. These foxes, not often seen, live in the forests and brushy areas of Texas. According to BluePlanetBiomes.org, the grey fox looks a lot like a dog with a bushy tail. They keep their dens in hollowed-out logs, rocks and burrows. The fox grows to between 21 and 30 inches, with its tail making up an additional 11 to 16 inches. They can weight up to 11 pounds. Grey foxes are nocturnal and are the only canine that climbs trees. They are omnivorous and feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, insects and berries.
The Texas star, also known as swamp hibiscus and scarlet rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus), is a plant native to Texas. It is a member of the hibiscus family that can grow up to 6 feet tall and is popular for its spectacular red blooms. These flowers, which have a span of 6 to 8 inches, bloom from May to September. The Texas star requires a good deal of water, so it is commonly found in the swampy regions of the state.
Also known as an angel trumpet, the jimsonweed (Datura wrightii) is another plant native to Texas. True to its name, its blooms are white and trumpet-shaped. The typical blooming period for the jimsonweed is May to November. The flowers open in the evening and close in the midmorning. This perennial plant is smaller than the Texas star, growing two to four feet in height.
