Texas has strict laws protecting its unique wildlife. Many animals that call the Lone Star State home can’t be captured, relocated, or harmed without special permits.
Breaking these rules can result in hefty fines or even jail time, so knowing which creatures are off-limits is important for every Texan.
1. Horned Lizards (Horny Toads)
Once abundant across Texas, these spiky little reptiles have become increasingly rare. Their population has plummeted due to habitat loss and imported fire ants destroying their food sources.
All species of horned lizards are fully protected by state law. Even picking one up to show your kids could land you in legal trouble with fines up to $500.
2. Alligator Snapping Turtles
Lurking in murky waters throughout East Texas, these prehistoric-looking creatures can live over 100 years. With powerful jaws that can snap a broomstick and shells weighing up to 200 pounds, they’re nature’s living tanks.
State law prohibits taking these turtles from the wild without proper permits. Their declining numbers have prompted strict protection measures to ensure their survival.
3. Bats (All Species)
Flying through Texas skies at dusk, bats play a crucial role in controlling insect populations. A single bat can devour up to 1,000 mosquitoes in just one hour!
Every bat species in Texas enjoys full protection under state law. Removing bats from your property requires special permits and must be done by licensed professionals using humane exclusion methods.
4. Texas Blind Salamanders
Ghostly white and eyeless, these rare amphibians exist only in the Edwards Aquifer near San Marcos. They’ve evolved in complete darkness, developing unique sensory abilities to navigate and hunt without vision.
As endangered species, blind salamanders receive both state and federal protection. Disturbing their fragile cave habitat or attempting to collect them carries severe penalties including potential federal charges.
5. Attwater’s Prairie Chickens
Male prairie chickens perform elaborate courtship dances, inflating bright orange air sacs on their necks while stamping their feet rapidly. This spectacular ritual once played out across vast Texas grasslands.
Now critically endangered, fewer than 100 remain in the wild. Harming these birds or disturbing their habitat carries substantial penalties as conservationists fight to save them from extinction.
6. Houston Toads
Surviving only in scattered pockets of sandy soil in Central Texas, Houston toads announce spring with their distinctive, high-pitched trills. Males gather at temporary ponds, calling through the night to attract mates.
Federally listed as endangered since 1970, these toads face numerous threats. Removing them from their habitat is strictly prohibited, with violations potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in fines.
7. Golden-Cheeked Warblers
Flashing bright yellow faces against striking black markings, these songbirds migrate all the way from Central America to nest exclusively in Texas Hill Country. They build their nests using strips of bark from mature Ashe juniper trees.
As an endangered species, these warblers and their habitat receive strict protection. Even disturbing nesting areas during breeding season (March to July) violates both state and federal wildlife laws.
8. Ocelots
Stealthy and rarely seen, these spotted wild cats prowl through the thornscrub of South Texas under cover of darkness. With fewer than 50 remaining in the wild, each ocelot is precious to the species’ survival.
Protected under the Endangered Species Act, ocelots cannot be harassed, captured, or killed. Conservation efforts include wildlife corridors to help these solitary cats move safely between fragmented habitat areas.
9. Texas Indigo Snakes
Reaching impressive lengths of up to 8.5 feet, these glossy blue-black snakes are among the largest in North America. Despite their intimidating size, indigo snakes are non-venomous and actually help control rattlesnake populations.
State law classifies them as threatened species, making it illegal to kill, collect, or possess them without special permits. Their declining numbers make protection crucial for their survival.
10. American Beavers
Nature’s engineers transform Texas waterways by building elaborate dams and lodges. Their ponds create wetland habitats supporting countless other species, from fish to waterfowl to amphibians.
Though once heavily trapped for their fur, beavers now enjoy protection in many parts of Texas. Removing them requires permits from Texas Parks and Wildlife, as their activities provide valuable ecosystem services despite occasional conflicts with human land use.