Waugh Bridge Bat Emersion
Alligators play an important role in aquatic ecosystems even in urban settings. They are top predators within our rivers, bayous, and lakes controlling populations of fish, turtles, and other prey species. They also create habitat for aquatic organisms by creating dens in the bank. This large male took a dive in the San Jacinto River outside of town to cool off from the Texas summer heat.
What do you do if you see an alligator in the Houston area?
• Leave it alone. When given their space, alligators are very rarely aggressive toward humans and will not pose a threat. Keeping a safe distance of at least 30 feet or more will reduce the risk of conflict keeping both the alligator and you safe.
• If you hook a gator fishing, the best thing to do is cut the line. Alligators have extremely strong stomach acid that can digest the hook without harming the animal.
• You should NEVER feed an alligator. This can condition the animal to human presence and result in up to a $500 fine.
• If you are unsure if the alligator is a threat or have questions call our office at (281) 456-7029 for guidance.
Lunchtime in East End Park makes for difficult social distancing.
A wasp (Family Vespidae), scarab beetle (Genus Melocanthon), and a House fly (Musca domestica) share the remains of a dragonfly on the trail.
#urbanwildlife #entymology #lunchtime #TexasWildlife #HTX
Radio Telemetry in Buffalo Bayou
Anole Territorial Dispute
Apparently, these guys didn't get the memo on social distancing...
Here we see 2 male green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) getting into a skirmish to see who is going to be ruler of this territory.
The size of a green anoles territory is dependent on it's size. The larger the male...the larger the territory. On average, their territorial range can be from 50 - 100 square meters.
Wildlife in the City
When we think of cities, we often imagine lots of concrete, traffic, and very little nature. But our skies are full of wildlife species that have adapted to living in cities and they're doing quite well. With a little help from us, wildlife can thrive and provide numberous benefits for us too! To learn more about urban wildlife and the TPWD Urban Wildlife Program, visit: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/urban_program/
Perceived Reality
Did you REALLY see what you thought you saw? Maybe take a second and think: Did I REALLY see Big Foot, or was it just a man in a gorilla suit? Did I REALLY see a chupacabra or was it just a mangy coyote? 👽
Cottonmouth Snake ID
Think you saw a cottonmouth? 👀Watch this to find out more about these incredible snakes and how to tell the difference between cottonmouths and other common Texas species. 🐍#WildlifeWednesdays #SnakesofTexas
Batwatching Across Texas - Tips from a Wildlife Biologist
Bats have a special place in the heart of many Texans. Not only do they help control our insect population, which in turn helps farmers secure their crops, but they are also MAMMALS THAT FLY! Come see one of Texas' many bat emergences throughout the state now through fall. #BatsOfTexas #Bats #MammalsThatFly 🦇
For more information about batwatching sites, visit: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/bats/bat-watching-sites/
Otter and pups
With the advancements in remote video technology, video doorbells and home security cameras have become a valuable tool for homeowners to keep tabs on their property when away from home. We have all seen the videos of package thieves and other colorful characters visiting peoples front doors.
This video was sent to our office by one of our landowners that asked for our help to improve the habitat on their property. By the looks of these nighttime trespassers, we may have been successful!!!
River Otter Woodlands, Tx.
Imagine the surprise when a Woodlands homeowner spotted this critter in her backyard pool!
River otters have been spotted in water bodies all over the Houston area, including wilder spots like our creeks, San Jacinto river, and our state parks, like Sheldon Lake State Park.
They were once heavily trapped for the fur trade, so their populations were low in Texas for a long time. With trapping decreasing, river otter populations are rebounding and their range is expanding across Texas…
We would like to send out a special thank you to Paige Beach for taking and sharing this wonderful footage with us!!!
Homes Wanted for Chimney Swifts!
Chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica) love to make their homes in tall, man-made structures, like - yup, you guessed it - chimneys! These small birds build their nests on the walls of chimneys, and serve as an excellent form of pest control by eating thousands of flies, beetles, and others insects. Unfortunately, their populations are declining worldwide. But you can help by donating your chimney to the cause by taking the cap off your chimney in the summer to allow the swifts to roost. Watch the video below for more info on how you can help these little birds!
Our office gets calls regularly asking what is the status of the Waugh Street Bridge Bat Colony. We are pleased to say that the colony seems to be recovering quite well. This video was shot recently at the bridge and shows a large number of bats exiting for their nightly hunt.
Waugh Street Bridge Bat Colony
Waugh Street Bridge Bat Colony
Waugh Street Bats
Check out this video clip showing the amazing bats of Waugh bridge in Houston. Imagine 250,000 bats all leaving their roost at the same time…
The video was taken by Kelly Walker, member of the Houston Area Bat Team, who was observing the bat emergence at sunset on May 5, 2016. This month and through the summer months, the bridge is full of pregnant female Mexican free-tailed bats.
Like most pregnant ladies, they are HUNGRY and fly from the bridge in huge clouds, off on their hunt for insects. Each female bat can eat up to her body weight in insects at night. Beginning the end of May and into June, the female bats will be giving birth to their single pups.
The pups are pink and hairless when born, gradually growing grayish fuzzy fur. As mammals, the mothers feed the pups milk at first until the pups are old enough to fly and catch insects on their own. The first of the pups begin flying around first week in July.
Take the time to visit Waugh bridge and watch a bat emergence! Teams from the Houston Area Bat Team are on-hand there every Friday night from March through October to give ‘Bat Chats’ and answer any questions. We’re there 30 minutes before sunset on those Friday nights.
MINE! MINE! MINE!
As we all know, animals like to have their own territory and property. Since the majority of the animal kingdom does not use barbed wire or purple paint to mark their property lines, they have to use a different method. Our friend Mr. Coyote demonstrates one of the most widely used methods of marking property: scent.
Scent is used by much of the animal kingdom, both wild and domestic, to say "this belongs to me." When your cat rubs against you, you are being greeted as a friend and marked as their territory. Ever wonder why Precious wants to stop and sniff EVERY mailbox you walk by? Well, it's because someone left a little calling card behind saying they claim this mailbox as part of their kingdom. And of course, Precious has to leave a little note of his own behind.
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
We had reports from the park staff at Sheldon Lake State Park that a bobcat had been seen crossing Park Road 138 on a number of occasions. We put out cameras in hopes of getting it documented. Unfortunately, we never caught it on camera but we did catch this little one browsing the side of the road.
What do you do if you ever come upon an "abandoned" fawn?
Leave it alone!
First of all, the fawn has not been abandoned. Mother white tail deer will often leave their young hunkered down in the cover of the tall grass prairie while she browses for food and will be back for the fawn later.
Bobcat at Sheldon Lake State Park
This summer, the Houston Wildlife Office's intern is doing a wildlife survey of the Lawther - Deer Park prairie and a part of the restored prairie at Sheldon Lake State Park. Part of the survey includes "camera traps" set out at strategic locations that we believe wildlife regularly use for travel. Pablo has caught images and video of white-tailed deer, coyote, heron and crows. The other night, he caught a glimpse of a critter walking away from the camera but it was a bit out of the range of the camera so we could not make a positive ID. This prompted us to put the cameras back out in the same location the following night and this is what we caught...
This video was shot at Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center.
