Texas Ecology

Texas Ecoregions

start

Ecoregion Index

Pineywoods

Gulf Prairies & Marshes

Where Texas Meets the Gulf

More Information

This area largely composed of flat land less than 150 ft. above sea level has a warm climate with 30-50 in. of rain a year. It is home to many species including the Roseate spoonbill and ghost shrimp.

Gulf Prairies & Marshes

Home to 380 bird species and the most endangered sea turtles in the worldConnected to Laguna Madre is one of the only hypersaline lagoons in the worldThe park is richly diverse ranging from crustaceans to invertebrates

Padre Island

national Seashore

Learn more about the animals and the park at the official website.

Where the Pine Trees Grow

Texas A&M Forest Service - Trees of Texas - Ecoregions - PineywoodsElevations range from 100 feet above sea level north of the coastal plane in Southeast Texas to more than 1,000 feet on higher ridges and peaks...Tamu

This area has an average rainfall of 36-50 in. a year and is home to many hardwoods. This region is 200-500 ft. above sea level and extends to Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas

Pineywoods

Davy Crocket National ForestAngelina National ForestSabine National ForestSam Houston National Forest

Four Spectacular Forests

The cottontail rabbit can be found throughout the United States including in these magnificent forests.

Cottonmouth snakes (also known as water moccasins occupy much of Texas. They especially love areas near water and are known for their strikingly white mouths which look like cotton. They are extremely venomous.

The pileated woodpecker makes nests in the small cavities of damaged trees. It is one of the species that greatly benefits from natural fires.

Opossums commonly known for their defense mechanism of "playing dead" love to climb in the trees and in the underbrush of the East Texas forests. As the only known marsupial in North America and as an expert consumer of ticks they deserve more attention for their contributions.

So much more to Explore!

Texas holds so many different ecosystems, and today we covered two of the ten ecoregions. Hoepfully you will go on to fall in love with the rich biodiversity and diverse habitats of the state.

The Eight other ecoregions

+info

Learn more at the state's page on the various ecoregions and by visiting some of the breathtaking state and national parks.

Thanksy'all!