If you have any questions about the wildlife of Austin, you can contact the Texas Wildlife Commission, sometimes called the Texas Fish & Wildlife Agency. Texas game wardens address many wildlife management matters, from hunting licenses, to poaching, endangered species, and Austin wildlife management. They deal with wild animals outside the range of a pest control company, such as cougars or bears. If you have a problem with nuisance wildlife in Austin like squirrels, snakes, bats, or raccoons, the state agency is very unlikely to help. You need to hire a private company (here are their prices) such as Critter Control at 512-337-1050.
Texas State bird: Northern mockingbird
State mammal: Nine-banded armadillo, Texas longhorn, Mexican free-tailed bat
State reptile: Texas horned lizard
State amphibian: Texas Toad
State fish: Guadalupe bass
State insect: Monarch butterfly
Texas has long been the iconic state associated with cowboys and wild-west shoot outs. It is a hot, dry place covered in a variety of brush and spindly trees; though it does have a significant amount of large hardwood trees like oak. Animals in Texas need to be able to survive the heat, and most of them have adapted nicely to that extreme.
The nice thing about Texas is the fact that the state allows homeowners to trap pest animals at any time without a license. Pelts or animals can only be kept, however, if they were taken during the designated trapping season. All other creatures caught must be turned over to the local authorities.
As with most of the states in the country, Texas homeowners find themselves tasked with preventing squirrels, moles, raccoons, skunks, and rats from entering their homes and attached property. Armadillos and snakes are also common problem animals. The hotter and drier the weather in Texas, the more a problem the ant and insect population becomes, driving armadillos into yards to hunt for grubs within lush lawns. Snakes also will be common yard visitors in this state, especially if the yard has a water source like a pond or a pool. All reptiles are drawn to water, and having a pool in a dry place like Texas will mean seeing snakes.
Texas is too large, however, to have the same climate throughout, and the southern part of the state is home to a number of endangered animal species like the ocelot, jaguarondi, brown pelican, whooping crane, and bald eagle. These creatures thrive in the tall grasses of that part of the state and the scrub forests that grow along the Rio Grande River.
Large predators do well in Texas because of the low-growing vegetation. Mountain lions are currently the largest predator in the wild, but coyotes have been known to run in packs across the plains. Not surprisingly, other cat-like predators are also present like the ocelot, jaguarondi, and the bobcat. Out in the open, coyotes have the upper hand, hunting for various lizards and reptiles the sun themselves on rocks. Of the predators, coyotes are often the only species that becomes chronically bothersome to people. For the most part, mountain lions and other cat species are reclusive.
To report a dead animal on the road, an injured bird, a lost baby squirrel, a dangerous bear, or anything like that, call animal services at (512) 974-2000
If they can't help, call the Texas Wildlife Commission at (512) 974-2000. You can also call your local sheriff department at (512) 974-2000 - they often deal with public wildlife issues.
We are experts with all kinds of TX wildlife and are familiar with the wild animals native to Austin. If you need Austin pigeon control, geese or other bird removal, we can help. We are experts with skunks and
skunk problems, digging animals such as moles, armadillos, & groundhogs, and we offer Texas beaver control and removal. Critter Control also provides dead animal removal services. 512-337-1050
However, if any wild animal is seen out in the middle of the day, caution should be exercised, Bat Control Exterminator said. Bats found lying on the ground at any time of day are a concern. Texas has an abundance of wildlife, and Austin is no exception.
"Bats are a high-risk carrier for rabies," she said. Skunks and raccoons also are at high risk for rabies, Bat Control Exterminator said, but just because these animals are a high risk, does not mean that all of them are infected with the disease. Although several species of wildlife roam Austin, only a few, such as raccoons and squirrels and rats are considered pest wildlife.
"With any wildlife - you don't want to mess with it," she said. "You want to leave it alone." There have been at least four confirmed cases of rabid bats that have either bitten or scratched humans in Austin, Barton said. Texas has many reptiles, and it's important to be able to identify Austin snake species and mammals.
In the 25 years he has worked in the medical profession, Barton said this number of rabies cases is the largest he has seen in Austin. However, Barton said, as far as he knows, there have been no confirmed cases of rabies in humans. "But the bats are testing positive," he said. Remember to treat the wild animals of Austin, Texas, with respect and care.
If you have a Austin wildlife problem and need help, call Critter Control at 512-337-1050. They provide professional wildlife control for both residential & commercial customers in the city of Austin. They offer custom Austin wildlife control solutions for almost any type of wildlife problem, whether it be the noises of squirrels running through the attic, a colony of bats living in a building, or the destructive behavior of a raccoon, they have the experience and the tools to quickly and professionally solve your wild animal problem in Travis County in Texas. Check their prices, and for a consultation, give them a call at 512-337-1050
Here in Austin, we get the usual animals like rats and squirrels in the attic, along with raccoons, but we also get armadillos, and some interesting species of snakes. To learn more about us, visit our website at Wildlife Control Austin TX.
You're still reading this page? We do not operate Austin wildlife rescue, or a Austin zoo or nature center, or Austin wildlife sanctuary or refuge for volunteers. We are a privately owned nuisance wildlife removal service company. If you need a pro in Austin to solve your problem for you, call Critter Control: 512-337-1050 and they can help you with your Austin wildlife problem.