The Scaled & Small
This "living fossil" is the apex predator of the Southeast; unlike its crocodile cousins, it has a broad, U-shaped snout.
What is an American alligator?
This "silvertip" bruin features a prominent shoulder hump and can weigh up to 800 pounds; just don’t get between a mother and her cubs.
What is a grizzly bear?
If you hear a generic "eagle scream" in a Hollywood movie, it’s actually the raspy, piercing cry of this common, Buteo-class raptor.
What is a red-tailed hawk?
This 2,000-pound behemoth is the national mammal of the U.S. and was once nearly driven to extinction before a major conservation comeback.
What is a bison?
Known as the "Song Dog" of the West, this highly adaptable canine has expanded its range to every corner of North America, including major cities.
This slow-moving reptile spends up to 95% of its life in underground burrows to escape the blistering heat of the Mojave.
What is the desert tortoise?
Also known as a mountain lion, puma, or panther, this feline is the largest cat in North America capable of purring but not roaring.
What is a cougar?
"A funny bird is the [this]," whose pouch can hold more than its belly can, specifically up to three gallons of water and fish. It is also the state bird of Louisiana.
What is a pelican?
Also known by the Shawnee name "Wapiti," the males of this species "bugle" during the autumn rut to attract a harem.
What is an American elk?
This "masked bandit" is famous for its dexterous front paws and the habit of dousing, or washing its food in water before eating. Sometimes called a "trash panda."
What is a raccoon?
One of the few venomous lizards in the world, this stout desert-dweller is easily recognized by its bead-like scales and pink-and-black patterns.
What is a Gila monster?
Distinguished by its tufted ears and oversized, furry paws that act like natural snowshoes in the deep powder of the North.
What is a lynx?
This nocturnal raptor is easily identified by its tufted feathers and a hoot that can be heard for miles.
What is a great horned owl?
These high-altitude athletes are famous for the massive, spiraling keratin headgear used by rams in "clashing" contests for dominance.
What is a bighorn sheep?
North America’s only marsupial, this critter has 50 teeth and a unique defense mechanism involving a comatose-like state when threatened.
What is an oppossum [possum]?
This vibrant amphibian is a frequent guest on Southern porches and is the official state frog of both Georgia and Louisiana.
What is a green treefrog?
Unlike most canines, this clever hunter has semi-retractable claws that allow it to climb trees to escape predators or snag a snack.
These nocturnal mammals use their oversized, 1.5-inch acoustic "dishes" to detect the faint footsteps of insects on the ground. You can see them nightly in Austin.
What is a big-eared bat?
Standing up to seven feet tall at the shoulder, this largest member of the deer family is a powerful swimmer and a fan of aquatic plants.
What is a moose?
Not actually a canine, this rodent lives in complex "towns" and uses a sophisticated language of barks to warn of approaching hawks or coyotes.
What is a prairie dog?
Often mistakenly called a "toad," this spiky reptile can defend itself by squirting blood out of its eyes. It is also the state reptile for Texas.
What is a horned lizard?
This playful semi-aquatic member of the weasel family can hold its breath for eight minutes and loves to turn muddy banks into personal water slides.
What is a river otter?
These small, ground-dwelling birds are famous for the iconic "teardrop" plume dancing atop their heads as they scurry through the brush.
What is a quail?
Often called an antelope, this "speed goat" is the fastest land mammal in North America, capable of hitting speeds of $60$ mph.
What is a pronghorn?
A flat-bodied, fossorial carnivore with a "don’t mess with me" attitude and powerful claws designed for high-speed underground excavation. It is also our mascot!
What is an American badger?