Texas Wildlife Science

Reptiles—some people love them; some people hate them. With Texas hosting more than its fair share of reptiles, Texans are bound to have had some reptile encounters. And yet, whether one appreciates or fears reptiles, the creativity of class Reptilia offers much to be admired. Texas reptiles come in all sizes—from the appropriately-named threadsnakes to 900-pound alligators. Some reptiles live in deserts and are water-conserving champions. Some live in the ocean and can hold their breath for hours. The body forms boggle the mind. Turtles carry a shell. Snakes speed along on their bellies without legs. Some lizards run on hind legs, while others shoot blood from their eyes. Some have no ears, some have no legs, and some have no males!

Fascination with reptiles can lead to both conservation challenges and opportunities. People love to collect reptiles. Some people love to eat them. Some like the adrenaline thrill of hunting them. Others are just willing to spend hours looking for them. All these characteristics create a complex and rich picture of reptile conservation in Texas.