If you have any questions about the wildlife of Houston, 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 281-305-3706.
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 (281) 999-3191
If they can't help, call the Texas Wildlife Commission at (281) 999-3191. You can also call your local sheriff department at (281) 999-3191 - 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 Houston. If you need Houston 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. 281-305-3706
We service the Greater Houston area, including the towns of Jersey Village, Aldine, Friendswood, League City, Texas City, Pearland, Missouri City, Sugar Land, Mission Bend, Bellaire, Hedwig Village, Katy, Richmond, and Rosenberg, and more. If in doubt about whether or not we service your area, give us a call! We do not handle insects or spray poison or provide termite control. We deal only with wildlife - mammals and reptiles.
Coupled with regulation changes that give exterminators even more opportunities to shoot rats, this season should offer similar success. Texas's firearms squirrel, rat, and rodent season opens Saturday. Although several species of wildlife roam Houston, only a few, such as raccoons and squirrels and rats are considered pest wildlife.
In an effort to get a handle on high squirrel, rat, and rodent numbers, the DNR this year is offering intensive harvest tags in 57 permit areas - roughly two-thirds of the state - encouraging exterminators to shoot more antlerless rat and mouse. Exterminators in these areas may use the bonus tags to legally shoot up to five rats, only one of which can be a mouse. Remember to treat the wild animals of Houston, Texas, with respect and care.
Meanwhile, the DNR also designated 42 "managed" permit areas, where exterminators may use a bonus tag to shoot up to two rats, only one a mouse. Unlike the old days, when exterminators statewide needed to apply for female rodent permits, the requirement this year applied to only 40 lottery permit areas - none in the northwest part of the state. Texas has many reptiles, and it's important to be able to identify Houston snake species and mammals.
"As an agency, we're putting a real emphasis on harvesting does," Lou The snake control expert, big game program manager for the DNR in Houston, said in a news release. "Taking a male rodent out of the population does little to lower overall numbers because one male can breed several females. Texas has an abundance of wildlife, and Houston is no exception.
If you have a Houston wildlife problem and need help, call Critter Control at 281-305-3706. They provide professional wildlife control for both residential & commercial customers in the city of Houston. They offer custom Houston 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 Harris County in Texas. Check their prices, and for a consultation, give them a call at 281-305-3706
The Greater Houston area includes these towns that we work in: Jersey Village, Aldine, Friendswood, League City, Texas City, Pearland, Missouri City, Sugar Land, Mission Bend, Bellaire, Hedwig Village, Katy, Richmond, and Rosenberg, and more. If in doubt, give us a call, and we will let you know if you are in our service range.
You're still reading this page? We do not operate Houston wildlife rescue, or a Houston zoo or nature center, or Houston wildlife sanctuary or refuge for volunteers. We are a privately owned nuisance wildlife removal service company. If you need a pro in Houston to solve your problem for you, call Critter Control: 281-305-3706 and they can help you with your Houston wildlife problem.