© Louis Vest (LandScope Texas Banner)
Plants and Animals
Texas is blessed with amazing biodiversity—home to nearly 800 species of fish, 425 species of butterflies, 634 species of birds, and more than 4,600 species of native plants.
However, the state faces unprecedented conservation challenges. Several species of birds and mammals have already vanished, and many more are in danger. Fortunately, Texans have long recognized the need for stewardship of the state’s land, water, fish and wildlife and took action generations ago to protect the state’s natural heritage.
Plants and Animals of Texas
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© USFWS (Pine snake photo)
Federal Candidate Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a list of species that are candidate for federal listing.
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© FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (Smalltooth sawfish photo)
Threatened and Endangered Fish Species of Texas
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Inland Fisheries and Coastal Fisheries Divisions maintain purview over rare, threatened, and endangered freshwater and marine fish species in Texas.
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© Isaac Sanchez (Golden-cheeked Warbler photo)
Federal and State Listed Species
In Texas, animal or plant species of conservation concern may be listed as threatened or endangered under the authority of state law and/or under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
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© USFWS (Swift fox photo)
TCAP Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Along with those species that have been afforded legal protection (Federal/State Listed Species) due to risk of extinction, Texas also contains well over 1,300 species that are considered to be Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
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