Species of Greatest Conservation Need

65 species
Taxonomic Group
Federal Status
State Status
Endemic
Remove Taxonomic Group: Mammals Filter clear all filters

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)
Palo Duro mouse Peromyscus truei comanche Mammals Not Listed T G5T2 S2 True Rocky, juniper-mesquite-covered slopes of steep-walled canyons on the eastern edge of the Llano Estacado. Also described as - escarpment of the Llano Estacado; rocky slopes with juniper, brush, and shortgrasses; primarily nocturnal.
mountain lion Puma concolor Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S2S3 False Generalist; found in a wide range of habitats statewide. Found most frequently in rugged mountains & riparian zones.
Presidio mole Scalopus aquaticus texanus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5T1Q SH True Known from a single location near Presidio, Texas. Insufficient data to determine hatibat preferences in the state.
tawny-bellied cotton rat Sigmodon fulviventer Mammals Not Listed T G5 S1 False Known in Texas from a single location in the Trans-Pecos. Insufficient information to determine habitat preferences.
western spotted skunk Spilogale gracilis Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S5 False Brushy canyons, rocky outcrops (rimrock) on hillsides and walls of canyons. In semi-arid brushlands in U.S., in wet tropical forests in Mexico. When inactive or bearing young, occupies den in rocks, burrow, hollow log, brush pile, or under building.
eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4 S1S3 False Generalist; open fields prairies, croplands, fence rows, farmyards, forest edges & woodlands. Prefer wooded, brushy areas & tallgrass prairies. S.p. ssp. interrupta found in wooded areas and tallgrass prairies, preferring rocky canyons and outcrops when such sites are available.
swamp rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5 S5 False Primarily found in lowland areas near water including: cypress bogs and marshes, floodplains, creeks and rivers.
Davis Mountains cottontail Sylvilagus robustus Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G1G2 S3 False Primarily limited to the Davis Mountains in the Trans Pecos . Brushy pastures, brushy edges of cultivated fields, and well-drained streamsides; active mostly at twilight and at night, where they may forage in a variety of habitats, including open pastures, meadows, or even lawns; rest during daytime in thickets or in underground burrows and small culverts; feed on grasses, forbs, twigs and bark; not sociable and seldom seen feeding together
gray-footed chipmunk Tamias canipes Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G4 S2S3 False High elevation (1800-2500 meters) forest-dwelling chipmunk occurring in dense stands of mixed timber and on brushy hillsides with rock crevices or downed logs along forest edges. Occurs in Texas only in the Sierra Diablo and Guadalupe Mountains in the Trans-Pecos; favorite habitat is downed logs near edges of clearings; also occur in dense stands of mixed timber (oaks, pines, firs) and on brushy hillsides, especially with rock crevices.
Guadalupe southern pocket gopher Thomomys bottae guadalupensis Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5T2 S2 False Known from Guadalupe Mountains; habitat variable, ranging from loose sands and silts to tight clays; dry deserts to montane meadows; active year round, mostly underground; diet variable, but mostly roots and tubers; breeds continuously, but main season in spring
Limpia southern pocket gopher Thomomys bottae limpiae Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5T2 S2 True Limpia Canyon area of Davis Mountains; habitat variable, ranging from loose sands and silts to tight clays; active year round, mostly underground; diet variable, but mostly roots and tubers; breeds continuously, but main season in spring
Limpia Creek pocket gopher Thomomys bottae texensis Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G5T2 S2 True Throughout Davis Mountains; habitat variable, ranging from lower canyons to higher coniferous woodlands; loose sands and silts to tight clays; dry deserts to montane meadows; active year round, mostly underground; diet variable, but mostly roots and tubers; breeds continuously, but main season in spring
black bear Ursus americanus Mammals Not Listed T G5 S3 False Generalist. Historically found throughout Texas. In Chisos, prefers higher elevations where pinyon-oaks predominate; also occasionally sighted in desert scrub of Trans-Pecos (Black Gap Wildlife Management Area) and Edwards Plateau in juniper-oak habitat. For ssp. luteolus, bottomland hardwoods, floodplain forests, upland hardwoods with mixed pine; marsh. Bottomland hardwoods and large tracts of inaccessible forested areas.
Louisiana black bear Ursus americanus luteolus Mammals Not Listed T G5T2 SNA False Bottomland hardwoods, floodplain forests, upland hardwoods with mixed pine; marsh. Possible as transient; bottomland hardwoods and large tracts of inaccessible forested areas.
swift fox Vulpes velox Mammals Not Listed Not Listed G3 S1? False Restricted to current and historic shortgrass prairie. Open deserts or grasslands; sparsely vegetated habitats; western and northern portions of Panhandle.