ARMADILLO
The nine-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo in the United States, although 20 species exist throughout Central and South America. Nine-banded armadillos live throughout Texas except in the Panhandle and the Trans-Pecos.
MOCKINGBIRD
In true Texas fashion, the 1927 legislation declaring the Northern Mockingbird the state's official bird reasoned that the species is “a fighter for the protection of his home, falling, if need be, in its defense, like any true Texan."
HORNED LIZARD
The Texas horned lizard or "horny toad" is a flat-bodied and fierce-looking lizard. The head has numerous horns, all of which are prominent, with two central head spines being much longer than any of the others.
TEXAS LONGHORN
The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its characteristic horns, which can extend to over 100 inches (2.54 m) tip to tip for cows and bulls, with the biggest-horned steer measuring 127.4 inches (3.23 m) tip to tip.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY
Texas is an important state in monarch migration because it is situated between the principal breeding grounds in the north and the overwintering areas in Mexico. Monarchs funnel through Texas both in the fall and the spring. During the fall, monarchs use two principal flyways.
BLUE LACY
Blue Lacy Dogs in general are intelligent, intense, active, and alert. Developed to be both hunting and herding dogs, they display great drive and determination to work with big game and control difficult livestock.
AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE
The compact body of the American Quarter Horse is well-suited for the intricate and quick maneuvers required in reining, cutting, working cow horse, barrel racing, calf roping, and other western riding events, especially those involving live cattle. The American Quarter Horse is also used in English disciplines, driving, show jumping, dressage, hunting, and many other equestrian activities.
GUADALUPE BASS
The Guadalupe bass has almost no predators. Its main threat is not predation, but hybridization with the introduced smallmouth bass. The two species are very closely related and in some rivers almost half the Guadalupe bass are hybrids. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept stated it will likely stock many bass in the future to beat out the hybrid population.
