Species of Greatest Conservation Need

1279 species
Taxonomic Group
Federal Status
State Status
Endemic

Export results as CSV

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (Updated: 01/31/2024)
Common Name Scientifc Name Taxonomic Group Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank Endemic General Habitat Type(s)
western hog-nosed skunk Conepatus leuconotus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4 S4 False Habitats include woodlands, grasslands & deserts, to 7200 feet, most common in rugged, rocky canyon country; little is known about the habitat of the ssp. telmalestes
Rafinesque's big-eared bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii Mammals Not Listed T G3G4 S2 False Historically, lowland pine and hardwood forests with large hollow trees. roosts in cavity trees of bottomland hardwoods, concrete culverts, and abandoned man-made structures
Townsend's big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4 S3? False In Texas, habitat ranges from desert scrub to pinyon-juniper woodland, consistently in areas with canyons or cliffs (Schmidly 1991). Roosts in caves, crevases, trees, and buildings in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos.
black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4 S3 False Dry, flat, short grasslands with low, relatively sparse vegetation, including areas overgrazed by cattle; live in large family groups
Padre Island kangaroo rat Dipodomys compactus compactus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4T3 S3 True Dunes and open sandy areas near the coast.
Texas kangaroo rat Dipodomys elator Mammals Not Listed T G2 S1 False Sandy loam surface soils containing some clay and which supports short grasses (buffalo grass) and small to medium sized mesquite; mesquite not required, but mostly in association with scattered mesquite shrubs and sparse, short grasses in areas underlain by firm clay soils; along fencerows adjacent to cultivated fields/roads; burrows into soil with openings usually at base of mesquite or shrub; active throughout year; nocturnal; feeds on grass seeds, insects, and annual and perennial forbs; metabolizes water from foods, but will drink water when available; young born in underground nest chamber.
banner-tailed kangaroo rat Dipodomys spectabilis Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S4 False Most common in well-developed grasslands at elevations between 4000 and 5000 feet.
big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S5 False Any wooded areas or woodlands except south Texas. Riparian areas in west Texas.
spotted bat Euderma maculatum Mammals Not Listed T G4 S3 False Ponderosa pine forests to desert scrub; habitat requirement appears to be limited to presence of broken canyon country or cliffs for roosting sites; in Texas, Big Bend region; preferred habitat not fully understood, but species reported from pine forests at high elevations to open, desert scrub; reproduction data sparse, but single offspring born June-July
greater western mastiff bat Eumops perotis californicus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4G5T4 S3 False Arid canyons; roosts in crevices in rock walls of desert canyons, old buildings, hollow trees; roost site must have clearance for a three meter fall by exiting bats; colony size varies from several individuals to several dozen; males and females may remain together throughout the year; single offspring (occasionally twins) born June-July.
desert pocket gopher Geomys arenarius Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G3G4 S2 False Cottonwood-willow association along the Rio Grande in El Paso and Hudspeth counties; does not tolerate clayey or gravelly soils characteristic of the other Geomys species; common along irrigation ditches in the sandy river bottom area.Lives underground, but build large and conspicuous mounds; life history not well documented, but presumed to eat mostly vegetation, be active year round, and bear more than one litter per year.
Davis pocket gopher Geomys personatus davisi Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4T2 S2 True Burrows in sandy soils in southern Texas
maritime pocket gopher Geomys personatus maritimus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4T2 S2 True Fossorial, in deep sandy soils; feeds mostly from within burrow on roots and other plant parts, especially grasses; ecologically important as prey species and in influencing soils, microtopography, habitat heterogeneity, and plant diversity
barrier island Texas pocket gopher Geomys personatus personatus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4TNR SNR True Limited information available. Likely found in sandy soils.
Strecker's pocket gopher Geomys streckeri Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G1Q S1 True Underground burrows of deep, sandy soils; feed mostly on vegetation; reproductive data not well known, but likely breed year round, with no more than two litters per year
Frio pocket gopher Geomys texensis bakeri Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G3T2 S2 True Associated with nearly level Atco soil, which is well-drained and consists of sandy surface layers with loam extending to as deep as two meters
Llano pocket gopher Geomys texensis texensis Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G3T2 S2 True Found in deep, brown loamy sands or gravelly sandy loams and is isolated from other species of pocket gophers by intervening shallow stony to gravelly clayey soils
eastern red bat Lasiurus borealis Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G3G4 S4 False Red bats are migratory bats that are common across Texas. They are most common in the eastern and central parts of the state, due to their requirement of forests for foliage roosting. West Texas specimens are associated with forested areas (cottonwoods). Also common along the coastline. These bats are highly mobile, seasonally migratory, and practice a type of "wandering migration". Associations with specific habitat is difficult unless specific migratory stopover sites or wintering grounds are found. Likely associated with any forested area in East, Central, and North Texas but can occur statewide.
hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G3G4 S3 False Hoary bats are highly migratory, high-flying bats that have been noted throughout the state. Females are known to migrate to Mexico in the winter, males tend to remain further north and may stay in Texas year-round. Commonly associated with forests (foliage roosting species) but are found in unforested parts of the state and lowland deserts. Tend to be captured over water and large, open flyways.
southern yellow bat Lasiurus ega Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S3S4 False Relict palm grove is only known Texas habitat. Neotropical species roosting in palms, forages over water; insectivorous; breeding in late winter. Roosts in dead palm fronds in ornamental palms in urban areas.
northern yellow bat Lasiurus intermedius Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S4 False Occurs mainly along the Gulf Coast but inland specimens are not uncommon. Prefers roosting in spanish moss and in the hanging fronds of palm trees. Common where this vegtation occurs. Found near water and forages over grassy, open areas. Males usually roost solitarily, whereas females roost in groups of several individuals.
western yellow bat Lasiurus xanthinus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4G5 S1 False Forages over water both perennial and intermittent sources, found at low elevations (< 6,000 feet), roosts in vegetation (yucca, hackberry, sycamore, cypress, and especially palm); also hibernates in palm; locally common in residential areas landscaped with palms in Tuscon and Phoenix, Arizona; young born in June; insectivore
ocelot Leopardus pardalis Mammals LE E G4 S1 False Restricted to mesquite-thorn scrub and live-oak mottes; avoids open areas. Dense mixed brush below four feet; thorny shrublands; dense chaparral thickets; breeds and raises young June-November.
Mexican long-nosed bat Leptonycteris nivalis Mammals LE E G3 S1 False Pine-oak woodland to desert in Big Bend region. In U.S., found roosting in high elevations of the Chisos Mountains (scrub-woodlands dominated by pinyon pine/oaks) and feeding on nectar from desert cacti (Agave) found at various elevations in more open scrub-grassland areas. Colonial, cave-dwelling species that usually inhabits deep caverns; breeding season April-June, with single offspring born in Mexico prior to migration to Texas.
hooded skunk Mephitis macroura Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S1S2 False Rocky canyons &amp; riparian corridors at low elevations, rarely to 6000 feet. Avoids man-made habitations. Only known from the Trans-Pecos regions along the Rio Grande.