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WESTERN RAT SNAKE
The Western Rat Snake is one of the longest snakes in North America reaching lengths of 8 ft or more! These large non-venomous snakes can be found living in forests throughout Texas.
• Rat Snakes are beneficial to the ecosystem since their diet consists of large quantities of rodents. They also eat birds, eggs, lizards, and frogs.
• You might find one resting on tree branches, or in tree cavities because they are incredible climbers.
• When threatened, they might rattle their tail which can sound like a rattlesnake. They can also emit a foul-smelling musk (like a Skunk) to ward off predators.
THINK ABOUT THIS…
What special feature does a snake’s jaw have that allows them to eat prey that is larger than their own jaw?
If you don’t know the answer yet… explore, ask questions, and do some more research until you discover the answer!
AMERICAN GREEN TREE FROG
The American Green Tree Frog has long limbs, long digits and sticky toe pads which allows them to climb on a variety of surfaces, even glass! Tree Frogs are great at camouflage and will even change color due to environmental conditions like humidity and temperature.
TEXAS BROWN TARANTULA
The Texas Brown Tarantula is one of the most common species living in the Southwestern US. Tarantulas use their venom to kill their prey, just like nearly all spiders. The two spiders whose bites are considered the most medically significant in the US are the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse.
THINK ABOUT THIS…
Each organism lives within the layers of the forest. You will typically find Tarantulas on the forest floor, while Tree Frogs can be found in lower trees and shrubs.
What are other organisms you might find on the forest floor? What about in the other layers of the forest?
If you don’t know the answer yet… explore, ask questions, and do some more research until you discover the answer!
REPTILES
TEXAS SPINY LIZARDS provide natural pest control by hunting insects. They can run at up to 35mph and will voluntarily break off their tail to escape a predator!
SKINKS are often misidentified as snakes because of their short limbs and their zig zag movement when they travel under leaves.
BOX TURTLES are named for their protective box like shells. They have a very tall and dome-like top shell so the turtle can pull itself completely inside!
THINK ABOUT THIS…
What are common characteristics that make these three animals reptiles?
If you don’t know the answer yet… explore, ask questions, and do some more research until you discover the answer!