Fauna Category Archive

Two biologists survey a newly discovered cave 60 feet underground. The Underworld of Aquatic Arteries - The crucial life and livelihood of what lies beneath
A small bee pollinates the center of a sunflower, a large mountain looming in the distance. Buzzworthy - Bigger isn’t always better — especially if you’re a bee trying to survive climate change
Four common owls in Texas, from left to right: barred (white with black eyes), burrowing (short with white eyebrows and yellow eyes), great horned (the largest, prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes), and eastern screech (smallest, light gray, yellow eyes). Owls About Texas - A quick guide to some common Texas owls
A black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla) in a cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) tree along the Mission Reach. A Natural Calling - Native plants in mosaic habitats bring birds to the Mission Reach
Sweat bee on flowering partridge pea. The Bees’ Needs - Creating habitat for native bees is as easy as one, two, three
Horsemint (Monarda citriodora) blooms at Hatton Spring Prairie, another name for Houston resident Jaime González’s front yard; he posts interpretive signage and encourages neighbors to learn about the area’s historic land use. Living Space - Native habitat gardens provide for birds, pollinators and people
An illustration of the gulf coast toad as viewed from the side, covered in brown spots and brighter stripes along its back. Familiar Frogs and a Quotidian Toad - Meet four common members of the order Anura
A mass of crickets lines the ceiling of a dark cave in Central Texas. The Cricket Connection - Native plants and crickets are essential to healthy cave ecosystems
An unsuspecting ant roves the back of a plains sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris) while a crab spider lurks just beyond the petals. Here There Be Dangers - How flowers set the table for certain creatures
An illustration of the eastern spotted whiptail lizard sitting in the sand, facing sideways. Lounging Lizards - A quick guide to three common Central Texas lizards
ILLUSTRATION Samantha N. Peters Natural Partners - Texas native plants and their animal compadres
Comal Headwaters RENDERING Lake|Flato Architects Open Swim - Endangered species of the Comal get a habitat makeover
McAllen Mayor Jim Darling plants lantana with a young girl. PHOTO Quinta Mazatlan A String of Pearls - Little pieces of urban monarch habitat add up to a lot
Mexican free-tailed bats in flight near Braken Cave. PHOTO Adam Barbe A Cave Called Home - Bats belong in Texas Hill Country
Only a hawkmoth’s lengthy proboscis can reach the nectar jimsonweed has to offer. PHOTO Kiley Riffell Photography/Henry Art Gallery Business Is Blooming - All about nectar — nature's sweetest sales pitch
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) on horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) Dragons and Damsels - A handy guide to telling these lacy-winged fliers apart
Ocelot at night The Dispossessed - For ocelots in Texas, native shrubland is the stuff dreams are made of
Macheros Mexico A Vast Domain - A sacred butterfly connects land and people across a border
Monarch vs queen Monarch vs. Queen - A few tips for discerning between the look-alike caterpillars and adults of monarchs and queens

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