While you may be more familiar with the urban sprawl of Houston, with its impressive buildings and apartments in Houston, what you may not know is that tucked away in the city and living in the areas that surround it are quite an array of wildlife. The city is home to and close to many unique ecosystems, all of which have their own set of wildlife and creatures, both plant and animal. Let’s look at some of the wildlife you can find in and around Houston.

Birds

If you are not birdwatching, you are in for a treat. Houstonians have recorded over 300 species of birds in the area, both resident and migratory. The city’s nearness to the ocean and its many green spaces and parks make it the ideal home for all kinds of flying feathered creatures. These can include anything from a colorful woodpecker and the shy warbler to the graceful egrets and the huge, majestic bald eagle.

The Bayous

Bayous wind all throughout Houston and create a special kind of ecosystem throughout the city where you can find all kinds of wildlife. Because bayous are watery wetlands and marshes, most of what you will find here are of the scaly and slimy variety. The bayous are full of reptiles like alligators, turtles, and snakes. Amphibians include frogs, toads, and salamanders, and the fish you can find here include catfish, bass, and sunfish.

Mammals

There are several mammals that manage to thrive in the business and bustle of Houston, especially in more suburban neighborhoods and forests. It is common to see white-tailed deer and raccoons, or even coyotes and bobcats on occasion. There are several bat communities that are crucial to the health of all Houston ecosystems living in parks, helping the city by controlling insect populations.

Coastal Wildlife

Because of how near Houston is to the Gulf Coast, the city also benefits from a variety of marine life. You can find wildlife like shorebirds, crabs, sandpipers, alligators, herons, and marsh rabbits along the shores, estuaries, and coastal marshes in and around the city. Closer to the sea, coastal waters also provide homes to marine animals like dolphins and manatees, as well as homing various types of fish and shellfish.

Insects

Given Houston’s subtropical climates and high humidity, insects are a huge part of the city's array of wildlife. These insects play an important role in every ecosystem's health, aiding with pollination and decomposition, as well as being a food source for other species like birds and bats. Houston’s bugs include dragonflies, bees, ants, fireflies, and yes, a lot and a lot of mosquitoes.

Conclusion

Houston is home to many species of wildlife, from mammal to avian to insect. It can be a fun way to explore the city and the surrounding areas to search for some of these unique and vital species in their native habitats. Just always be sure to be respectful of nature and to remember that ecosystems need all their plant and animal parts to function well. Yes, even including the mosquitoes and alligators!