The Mammals of Texas / Edition 7

by David J. Schmidly, Robert D. Bradley

Overview

From reviews of previous editions:

"This is the standard reference about Texas mammals." —Wildlife Activist

"A must for anyone seriously interested in the wildlife of Texas." —Texas Outdoor Writers Association News

"[This book] easily fills the role of both a field guide and a desk reference, and is written in a style that appeals to the professional biologist and amateur naturalist alike. . . . [It] should prove useful to anyone with an interest in the mammal fauna of Texas or the southern Great Plains." —Prairie Naturalist

The Mammals of Texas has been the standard reference since the first edition was coauthored by William B. Davis and Walter P. Taylor in 1947. Revised several times over the succeeding decades, it remains the most authoritative source of information on the mammalian wildlife of Texas, with physical descriptions and life histories for 202 species, abundant photographs and drawings, and distribution maps.

In this new edition, David J. Schmidly is joined by one of the most active researchers on Texas mammals, Robert D. Bradley, to provide a thorough update of the taxonomy, distribution, and natural history of all species of wild mammals that inhabit Texas today. Using the most recent advances in molecular biology and in wildlife ecology and management, the authors include the most current information about the scientific nomenclature, taxonomy, and identification of species, while also covering significant advances in natural history and conservation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781477308868
Publisher:	University of Texas Press
Publication date:	08/09/2016
Pages:	608
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

David J. Schmidly has studied Texas mammals since 1966 and has written several books about Texas mammals and natural history. He is currently a research professor of biology at the University of New Mexico.

Robert D. Bradley is a professor of biological sciences at Texas Tech University, where he is also the director and curator of mammals at the Natural Science Research Laboratory.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD
Carter Smith, Executive Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION TO TEXAS MAMMALS
Diversity of Land Mammals
Geographic Distribution of Land Mammals
Mammals of the Barrier Islands of Texas
Mammals in the Coastal Waters and Gulf of Mexico
Historical Changes in the Texas Mammal Fauna
Twentieth-Century Landscape and Land Use Changes in Texas: Impact on Wildlife Diversity
Impact of Climate Change
Conservation Strategies
History of Mammalogy in Texas

SPECIES ACCOUNTS FOR TEXAS MAMMALS
Instructions for Interpreting Distribution Maps
Key to the Major Groups (Orders) of Mammals in Texas

ORDER DIDELPHIMORPHIA—Opossums and Allies
Family Didelphidae—Opossums
Didelphis virginiana, Virginia Opossum

ORDER SIRENIA—Manatees and Allies
Family Trichechidae—Manatees
Trichechus manatus, West Indian Manatee

ORDER CINGULATA—Armadillos and Allies
Family Dasypodidae—Armadillos
Dasypus novemcinctus, Nine-banded Armadillo

ORDER PRIMATES—Primates
Family Cercopithecidae—Old World Monkeys
Macaca fuscata, Japanese Macaque*

ORDER LAGOMORPHA—Pikas, Hares, and Rabbits
Key to the Hares and Rabbits of Texas
Family Leporidae—Hares and Rabbits
Lepus californicus, Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Sylvilagus aquaticus, Swamp Rabbit
Sylvilagus audubonii, Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus, Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus robustus, Davis Mountains Cottontail

ORDER SORICOMORPHA—Shrews and Moles
Key to the Shrews and Moles of Texas
Family Soricidae—Shrews
Blarina carolinensis, Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Blarina hylophaga, Elliot’s Short-tailed Shrew
Cryptotis parva, Least Shrew
Notiosorex crawfordi, Crawford’s Desert Shrew
Family Talpidae—Moles
Scalopus aquaticus, Eastern Mole

ORDER CHIROPTERA—Bats
Key to the Bats of Texas
Family Molossidae—Free-tailed Bats
Eumops perotis, Western Bonneted Bat
Nyctinomops femorosaccus, Pocketed Free-tailed Bat
Nyctinomops macrotis, Big Free-tailed Bat
Tadarida brasiliensis, Brazilian Free-tailed Bat
Family Mormoopidae—Leaf-chinned Bats
Mormoops megalophylla, Ghost-faced Bat
Family Phyllostomidae—New World Leaf-nosed Bats
Choeronycteris mexicana, Mexican Long-tongued Bat
Diphylla ecaudata, Hairy-legged Vampire Bat
Leptonycteris nivalis, Mexican Long-nosed Bat
Family Vespertilionidae—Vesper Bats
Aeorestes cinereus, Hoary Bat
Antrozous pallidus, Pallid Bat
Corynorhinus rafinesquii, Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
Corynorhinus townsendii, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Dasypterus ega, Southern Yellow Bat
Dasypterus intermedius, Northern Yellow Bat
Dasypterus xanthinus, Western Yellow Bat
Eptesicus fuscus, Big Brown Bat
Euderma maculatum, Spotted Bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans, Silver-haired Bat
Lasiurus blossevillii, Western Red Bat
Lasiurus borealis, Eastern Red Bat
Lasiurus seminolus, Seminole Bat
Myotis austroriparius, Southeastern Myotis
Myotis californicus, California Myotis
Myotis ciliolabrum, Western Small-footed Myotis
Myotis occultus, Southwestern Little Brown Myotis
Myotis septentrionalis, Northern Long-eared Myotis
Myotis thysanodes, Fringed Myotis
Myotis velifer, Cave Myotis
Myotis volans, Long-legged Myotis
Myotis yumanensis, Yuma Myotis
Nycticeius humeralis, Evening Bat
Parastrellus hesperus, American Parastrelle
Perimyotis subflavus, American Perimyotis

ORDER CARNIVORA—Carnivores
Key to the Carnivores of Texas
Family Canidae—Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves
Canis latrans, Coyote
Urocyon cinereoargenteus, Common Gray Fox
Vulpes macrotis, Kit Fox
Vulpes velox, Swift Fox
Family Felidae—Cats
Leopardus pardalis, Ocelot
Lynx rufus, Bobcat
Puma concolor, Mountain Lion
Family Mephitidae—Skunks
Conepatus leuconotus, Hog-nosed Skunk
Mephitis macroura, Hooded Skunk
Mephitis mephitis, Striped Skunk
Spilogale gracilis, Western Spotted Skunk
Spilogale putorius, Eastern Spotted Skunk
Family Mustelidae—Weasels, Otters, and Badgers
Lontra canadensis, Northern River Otter
Mustela frenata, Long-tailed Weasel
Vison vison, American Mink
Taxidea taxus, American Badger
Family Procyonidae—Raccoons, Ringtails, and Coatis
Bassariscus astutus, Ringtail
Nasua narica, White-nosed Coati
Procyon lotor, Northern Raccoon
Family Ursidae—Bears
Ursus americanus, American Black Bear
Extinct Carnivora
Family Canidae—Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves
Canis lupus, Gray Wolf
Canis rufus, Red Wolf
Family Felidae—Cats
Leopardus wiedii, Margay
Panthera onca, Jaguar
Puma yagouaroundi, Jaguarundi
Family Mustelidae—Weasels, Otters, and Badgers
Mustela nigripes, Black-footed Ferret
Family Ursidae—Bears
Ursus arctos, Grizzly or Brown Bear
Family Phocidae—Earless Seals
Monachus tropicalis, Caribbean Monk Seal
Introduced Carnivora
Family Canidae—Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves
Vulpes vulpes, Red Fox*
Family Otariidae—Eared Seals
Zalophus californianus, California Sea Lion*

ORDER ARTIODACTYLA—Even-toed Ungulates
Key to the Even-Toed Ungulates of Texas
Family Antilocapridae—Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana, Pronghorn
Family Bovidae—Cattle, Antelope, Sheep, Goats, and African Exotics
Bos bison, American Bison
Ovis canadensis, Bighorn Sheep
Family Cervidae—Deer and Allies
Cervus canadensis, Wapiti or Western Elk
Odocoileus hemionus, Mule Deer
Odocoileus virginianus, White-tailed Deer
Family Tayassuidae—Peccaries
Pecari tajacu, Collared Peccary
Introduced Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae—Cattle, Antelope, Sheep, Goats, and African Exotics
Ammotragus lervia, Barbary Sheep or Aoudad*
Antilope cervicapra, Blackbuck*
Boselaphus tragocamelus, Nilgai*
Family Cervidae—Deer and Allies
Axis axis, Axis Deer*
Cervus nippon, Sika*
Dama dama, Fallow Deer*
Family Suidae—Pigs
Sus scrofa, Feral Hog* (see also Domesticated Mammals)
Other Artiodactylids Introduced in Texas
Tragelaphus strepsiceros, Greater Kudu*
Eudorcas thomsonii, Eastern Thomson’s Gazelle*
Hippotragus niger, Sable Antelope*
Oryx dammah, Scimitar-horned Oryx*
Taurotragus oryx, Common Eland*
Cervus elaphus, Eastern Red Deer*

ORDER CETACEA—Whales, Porpoises, and Dolphins
Key to the Whales and Dolphins of the Texas Coast
Suborder Mysticeti—Baleen Whales
Family Balaenidae—Right Whales
Eubalaena glacialis, North Atlantic Right Whale
Family Balaenopteridae—Rorquals or Baleen Whales
Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Common Minke Whale
Balaenoptera borealis, Sei Whale
Balaenoptera brydei, Bryde’s Whale
Balaenoptera musculus, Blue Whale
Balaenoptera physalus, Fin Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae, Humpback Whale
Suborder Odontoceti—Toothed Whales
Family Delphinidae—Toothed Whales and Dolphins
Feresa attenuata, Pygmy Killer Whale
Globicephala macrorhynchus, Short-finned Pilot Whale
Grampus griseus, Risso’s Dolphin
Lagenodelphis hosei, Fraser’s Dolphin
Orcinus orca, Killer Whale
Peponocephala electra, Melon-headed Whale
Pseudorca crassidens, False Killer Whale
Stenella attenuata, Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Stenella clymene, Clymene Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba, Striped Dolphin
Stenella frontalis, Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
Stenella longirostris, Spinner Dolphin
Steno bredanensis, Rough-toothed Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus, Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Family Kogiidae—Pygmy and Dwarf Sperm Whales
Kogia breviceps, Pygmy Sperm Whale
Kogia sima, Dwarf Sperm Whale
Family Physeteridae—Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus, Sperm Whale
Family Ziphiidae—Beaked Whales
Mesoplodon densirostris, Blainville’s Beaked Whale
Mesoplodon europaeus, Gervais’s Beaked Whale
Ziphius cavirostris, Cuvier’s or Goose-beaked Whale

ORDER RODENTIA—Rodents
Key to the Rodents of Texas
Family Castoridae—Beavers
Castor canadensis, American Beaver
Family Cricetidae—New World Mice, Rats, and Voles
Baiomys taylori, Northern Pygmy Mouse
Microtus mogollonensis, Mogollon Vole
Microtus ochrogaster, Prairie Vole
Microtus pinetorum, Woodland Vole
Neotoma floridana, Eastern Woodrat
Neotoma leucodon, White-toothed Woodrat
Neotoma mexicana, Mexican Woodrat
Neotoma micropus, Southern Plains Woodrat
Ochrotomys nuttalli, Golden Mouse
Ondatra zibethicus, Common Muskrat
Onychomys arenicola, Chihuahuan or Mearns’s Grasshopper Mouse
Onychomys leucogaster, Northern Grasshopper Mouse
Oryzomys couesi, Coues’s Rice Rat
Oryzomys texensis, Texas Marsh Rice Rat
Peromyscus attwateri, Texas Deermouse
Peromyscus boylii, Brush Deermouse
Peromyscus eremicus, Cactus Deermouse
Peromyscus gossypinus, Cotton Deermouse
Peromyscus laceianus, Lacey’s White-ankled Deermouse
Peromyscus leucopus, White-footed Deermouse
Peromyscus maniculatus, North American Deermouse
Peromyscus nasutus, Northern Rock Deermouse
Peromyscus truei, Piñon Deermouse
Reithrodontomys fulvescens, Fulvous Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys humulis, Eastern Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys megalotis, Western Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys montanus, Plains Harvest Mouse
Sigmodon fulviventer, Tawny-bellied Cotton Rat
Sigmodon hispidus, Hispid Cotton Rat
Sigmodon ochrognathus, Yellow-nosed Cotton Rat
Family Erethizontidae—New World Porcupines
Erethizon dorsatum, North American Porcupine
Family Geomyidae—Pocket Gophers
Cratogeomys castanops, Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher
Geomys arenarius, Desert Pocket Gopher
Geomys attwateri, Attwater’s Pocket Gopher
Geomys breviceps, Baird’s Pocket Gopher
Geomys bursarius, Plains Pocket Gopher
Geomys jugossicularis, Hall’s Pocket Gopher
Geomys knoxjonesi, Jones’s Pocket Gopher
Geomys personatus, Texas Pocket Gopher
Geomys streckeri, Strecker’s Pocket Gopher
Geomys texensis, Llano Pocket Gopher
Thomomys bottae, Botta’s Pocket Gopher
Family Heteromyidae—Pocket Mice and Kangaroo Rats
Chaetodipus eremicus, Chihuahuan Desert Pocket Mouse
Chaetodipus hispidus, Hispid Pocket Mouse
Chaetodipus intermedius, Rock Pocket Mouse
Chaetodipus nelsoni, Nelson’s Pocket Mouse
Dipodomys compactus, Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys elator, Texas Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys merriami, Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys ordii, Ord’s Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys spectabilis, Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat
Liomys irroratus, Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse
Perognathus flavescens, Plains Pocket Mouse
Perognathus flavus, Silky Pocket Mouse
Perognathus merriami, Merriam’s Pocket Mouse
Family Sciuridae—Squirrels and Allies
Ammospermophilus interpres, Texas Antelope Squirrel
Cynomys ludovicianus, Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Glaucomys volans, Southern Flying Squirrel
Ictidomys parvidens, Rio Grande Ground Squirrel
Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus variegatus, Rock Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis, Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus niger, Eastern Fox Squirrel
Tamias canipes, Gray-footed Chipmunk
Xerospermophilus spilosoma, Spotted Ground Squirrel
Introduced Rodentia
Family Echimyidae—Spiny Rats and Nutria
Myocastor coypus, Nutria*
Family Muridae—Old World Mice and Rats
Mus musculus, House Mouse*
Rattus norvegicus, Norway or Brown Rat*
Rattus rattus, Black Rat*
Family Sciuridae—Squirrels and Allies
Marmota monax, Woodchuck*

DOMESTICATED MAMMALS
Order Carnivora—Carnivores
Family Canidae—Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves
Canis familiaris, Domestic Dog*
Family Felidae—Cats
Felis catus, Domestic Cat*
Order Perissodactyla—Odd-toed Ungulates
Family Equidae—Feral Horses and Asses
Equus asinus, Feral Ass or Burro*
Equus caballus, Feral Horse*
Equus caballus \x Equus asinus, Mule*
Order Artiodactyla—Even-toed Ungulates
Family Bovidae—Cattle, Antelope, Sheep, Goats, and African Exotics
Bos taurus, Domestic Cattle*
Capra hircus, Domestic Goat*
Ovis aries, Domestic Sheep*
Family Suidae—Pigs
Sus scrofa, Feral Hog*

Appendix 1. The Measurement System
Appendix 2. Observation and Collection of Mammals
Appendix 3. Selected References on Mammals from Texas and Adjoining States
Appendix 4. Scientific Names
Appendix 5. Mammalian Species: Accounts Available for Texas Mammals
Appendix 6. Standard Measurements of Study Specimens
Appendix 7. Basis for Distribution of Species
Glossary
Index to Scientific and Common Names