Critters of Texas: Pocket Guide to Animals in Your State

by Alex Troutman

Overview

Get the perfect kids’ introduction to Texas’s mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Put nature in the hands of children! Critters of Texas is your wildlife pocket guide that’s informative, concise, and easy to use. Written by wildlife biologist Alex Troutman, this handy book presents 65 critters of the Lone Star State—if an animal is in this book, it’s found in Texas.

Each species is showcased in a professional—quality photograph that’s paired with such neat—to—know details as habitat, range, and preferred food sources. Illustrations of the critter’s tracks complement the information, and a “Did You Know?” paragraph provides fascinating trivia worth sharing with family, friends, and teachers. Critters of Texas includes important—to—know mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Book Features:

• 65 critters—only Texas animals
• Full—color photos of every species
• Concise descriptions and interesting “Did You Know?” facts
• Attractive layout with kid appeal
• A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book benefits Wildlife Forever to support their conservation efforts

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647554644
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/17/2024
Series:	Wildlife Pocket Guides for Kids
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 4.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	IG950L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 12 Years

About the Author

Alex Troutman is a wildlife biologist, birder, nature enthusiast, and science communicator from Austell, Georgia. He has a passion for sharing the wonders of nature and introducing the younger generation to the outdoors. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University(the Real GSU), with a focus in conservation. Because he knows what it feels like to not see individuals who look like you (or come from a similar background) doing the things you enjoy or working in the career that you aspire to be in, Alex makes a point not only to be that representation for the younger generation, but also to make sure that kids have exposure to the careers they are interested in and the diverse scientists working in those careers.

Alex is the co—organizer of several Black in X weeks, including Black Birders Week, Black Mammalogists Week, and Black in Marine Science Week. This movement encourages diversity in nature, the celebration of Black individual scientists, awareness of Black nature enthusiasts, and diversity in STEAM fields.

Read an Excerpt

American Beaver
Castor canadensis

Size: Body is 25–30 inches long; tail is 9–13 inches long; weighs 30–70 pounds

Habitat: Wooded wetland areas near ponds, streams, and lakes

Range: Beavers can be found throughout Texas, as well as much of the rest of the US.

Food: Leaves, twigs, and stems; they also feed on fruits and aquatic plant roots. Throughout the year they gather and store tree cuttings, which they eat in winter.

Den: A beaver’s home is called a lodge. It consists of a pile of branches that is splattered with mud and vegetation. Lodges are constructed on the banks of lakes and streams and have exits and entrances that are underwater.

Young: Young beavers (kits) are born in late April through May and June in litters of 3–4. After two years they are considered mature and will be forced out of the den.

Predators: Bobcats, mountain lions, bears, wolves, and coyotes. Human trappers are major predators too.

Tracks: A beaver’s front foot looks a lot like your hand; it has five fingers. The hind (back) foot is long, with five separate toes that have webbing or extra skin in between each pair.

Beavers range from dark brown to reddish brown. They have a stocky body with hind legs that are longer than the front legs. The beaver’s body is covered in dense fur, but its tail is naked and has special blood vessels that help it cool or warm its body.

Did You Know?
Beavers are rodents! Yes, these flat—tailed mammals are rodents, like rats and squirrels. In fact, they are the largest native rodents in North America. Just like other rodents, beavers have large incisors, which they use to chew through trees to build dams and dens. Beavers are the original wetland engineers. By damming rivers and streams, beavers create ponds and wetlands.

Table of Contents

About Wildlife Forever

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Introduction

Texas: The Lone Star State

How to Use This Guide

Safety Note

Notes About Icons

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles and Amphibians

Glossary

Checklist

The Art of Conservation

Photo Credits

About the Author