Growing up in Ohio we mainly wrestled with millions of mosquitos and a few spiders. I really do like living in Texas, despite all the wildlife challenges:
- Fire ants galore (aka Fallen Ants). When we were going through childbirth classes years ago, one of the relaxation exercises had you picturing yourself lying in the grass. I couldn’t do it because I kept thinking of getting bitten by fire ants. Seriously. Then this week some skink-like thing died in the mailbox and fire ants attacked it. I carried the mail in and couldn’t figure out why my hands were itching. The mail was covered with a couple dozen ants. (Ask my wife about the time I lit a fire ant mound on fire with gasoline).
- I have found Black Widow spiders in the garage . . . and in the mailbox! (Oh, good, poisonous spiders living in a dark place right where I stick my hand without looking).
Many Copperhead and other snakes (including a baby copperhead in the pool while we were in it.) I think one of my daughters walked on water getting out. The Copperhead to the right was on our driveway. He is “no longer with the firm,” if you get my drift. It just takes a little “Snake-B-Gone” (aka a garden hoe). - We had a Hog-nosed snake one time. First, it pretends to be a Cobra. If that doesn’t scare you off, it plays dead. It is actually quite clever.
- A bat swooping
on my head. - Alligators. We saw many when we used to go camping. None got too close to us, except for one in a lake that I thought was a log. I never paddled a canoe so quickly.
- Plenty of frogs and lizards, some of whom jump at you when you are opening the garage door. The bright green frog to the right is actually only an inch wide. Click it for a larger view.
- We had an armadillo go through the yard once, which was a rare treat. Usually we see them, uh, sleeping by the side of the road. Seems that they think the best way to avoid oncoming cars is to jump straight up in the air. Note to armadillos: Your vertical leap isn’t exactly Jordanesque.
- We seem to discover new species a few times a year.
- Plus more strange wildlife stories that I have probably repressed.
Please don’t tell my insurance agent.
Filed under: Family / fun
Hmmm… One more state to cross of the list of possible places to live.
I lived in Austin for a little bit. I did love the wildlife. The walls of our apartments were crawling with little lizards. Of course, here in Colorado we have our share of wildlife as well. But living in Texas was a pretty good experience. I miss the great authentic Mexican food
Texas and Louisiana are a lot alike in the wildlife area. Snakes, Alligators, Possums, Raccoons, Squirrels, Dear, Exotic birds, Crawfish, Rabbits, Armadillos.
We too had a couple of hognose snakes for pets at one time (that’s what happens when you raise all boys!) They were great pets. After they got used to us, they quit puffing up like a cobra though, so we couldn’t scare our friends with them anymore.
I’ve lived in Dallas and in Conroe. One thing I miss about texas – horned toads – there aren’t any around here.