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City Cast Houston

Let us help you find Mother Nature in this concrete jungle.

One of our beloved state animals in Texas is the armadillo, which 

means “little armored one” in Spanish

, which look similar to armor. These shells help ward off predators, while they use their claws to forage for food and dig burrows. These nine-banded armadillos are the only species that call the U.S. home, and can be spotted all across Texas.

Nine-banded armadillos enjoy eating beetles, cockroaches, fire ants, spiders, snails, and more. They have hardly any hair to regulate their body temperatures, so they can get extra hot. For example, last summer, armadillos were 

rushing to the beach to cool off from the record high temperatures.

 When they’re hunting for food, they make a lot of noise and scare easily. If they’re approached unexpectedly, they usually leap straight up in the air. They leap so high that their bodies can hit the undercarriage of car vehicles, making them extra vulnerable to road accidents. So be careful out there!

Nine-banded armadillos thrive in warm, wet climates. They have their own unique ways of navigating water because their armored body makes them sink easily. They can hold their breath for up to six minutes and walk along the bottom of streams or ditches. Armadillos can also swallow air to inflate their stomachs to twice their normal size, allowing them to swim across bodies of water.

These nine-banded armadillos are the only species that call the U.S. home, and can be spotted all across Texas.


Texas Armadillos Can Walk Under Water 

Get to know the natural side of Houston: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Houston Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Even though Houstonians don’t get the luxury of a true fall like our East Coast friends, we do have trees that reflect the changing seasons. 

 are one of the first trees in the state to shed their leaves. It’s how they got their name “bald cypress” – and they’re also the last to bloom in the spring.

These trees, which are part of the Redwood family, have soft and feathery leaves that are green and white underneath. Many animals, like squirrels and wood ducks, enjoy eating their seeds. Bald eagles and ospreys also like to build nests in these cypress trees. At the Houston Arboretum, you can already find the leaves changing colors, including their bald cypress trees.

“During early October in Houston, the temps may yet feel more like summertime than autumn, but the hours of daylight are getting shorter by about a minute and a half each day this month. The flora in the Houston Arboretum are affected by this; making less chlorophyll and leaves are turning from green to shades of golden yellow and orange. If you need a little help getting in the mood for fall, take a stroll along the woodway ponds and enjoy the seasonal change of the bald cypress and pickerelweed,” says Tiffany Ritter of the Houston Arboretum.

Your fall guide to October in Houston

Houston Arboretum is already boasting some fall foliage. 

Where to See Fall Foliage in Houston

Every fall, nearly two billion birds, including hummingbirds and shorebirds, migrate through Texas. But you may have missed them, because 

most of the North American birds actually travel at night

. This can be dangerous because bright city lights can cause birds to have deadly collisions with buildings and other structures. So, how can we protect our precious birds?

Glass on buildings is invisible to birds, but they’re still drawn

. Sometimes the window reflections remind them of their own habitats, like when they see plants and the sky. Unfortunately, once birds collide with a building or another structure, they usually die from traumatic injuries. Last October, 

 after colliding with the McCormick Place Lakeside Center.

Fall migration for birds lasts until Nov. 30. However, the peak season began on Sept. 5 and will run until Oct. 29. To protect the birds, homeowners, business owners, and others should turn off all non-essential lighting on homes, buildings and other structures from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. Here are more ways you can help birds travel safely:

For security lighting, use motion detectors or sensors.

For buildings taller than three stories, turn off or dim exterior or decorative lighting, such as logos or lighting in the lobby.

Avoid floodlights, lit-up plants or fountains.

Use desk lamps as opposed to overhead lights.

, a type of glass visible to birds as they fly by.

How can you protect birds migrating through Texas during the fall? 

How to Protect Birds Migrating Through Texas

Beware: Skunkvine is a plant that you might smell before you get a good look. The one-of-a-kind plant, also formally known as paederia foetida, is not an actual skunk but releases a strong odor that smells like rotting cabbage or a sewer, according to Patti Bonnin of the Houston Arboretum.

That strong smell comes from sulfur compounds in its leaves. This long, winding plant can grow up to 35 feet long, and 

usually twists up tree canopies or along the ground.

The invasive plant, normally found in temperate climates of Asia, can now be spotted in many parts of the southwest United States and Hawaii. The plant is 

Skunkvines can be hard to get rid of because even after they're cut down, their thick woody stem resprouts quickly and continues to produce many seeds. The plant will continue to grow and kill off any native vegetation in its path. The vines can weigh down on trees and cause their branches or the whole tree to collapse. It can also smother shrubs or other plants.

“Sewer-smelling leaves, destructive, invasive AND difficult to get rid of? Why would anyone want this plant in their gardens? Originally, this plant was cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its delicate pink and white flowers and beautiful climbing vines,” says Bonnin.

If you’re looking to control the growth of skunkvine, apply an herbicide. However, you may have to apply it multiple times to really get the vine’s growth under control. Good luck!

The one-of-a-kind plant, also formally known as paederia foetida, is not an actual skunk but releases a strong odor that smells like rotting cabbage or a sewer.

Skunkvine Can Harm Houston Vegetation 

These Stinky Plants Can Harm Houston Vegetation 

Rainy conditions and hot temperatures have created a 

perfect breeding ground for the West Nile virus to spike

 in Houston. Seven people and over 500 mosquitoes have recently tested positive for the virus in Harris County. Over the summer, positive cases were also found in every area inside the Loop. So, what is West Nile virus and how can you protect yourself?

How Do Mosquitoes Become Infected with West Nile?

Mosquitoes can become infected with West Nile virus 

. After that, mosquitoes can bite and infect people with the virus. About 80% of people infected with West Nile virus will show no symptoms at all. However, about 20% can develop other symptoms such as a fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. If you’re over 50 or immunocompromised, be careful! You have a higher risk of serious complications with West Nile virus. In rare cases, West Nile virus can also cause a fatal neurological disease.

Prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeves, using mosquito nets, wearing insect repellent, and staying indoors during peak biting times.

Avoid standing water, which is the perfect environment for mosquitoes. Empty out any standing water from pots or containers and remove trash debris.

Rainy conditions and hot temperatures have created a perfect breeding ground for West Nile virus. So, how can Houstonians protect themselves? 

How Houstonians Can Protect Themselves From West Nile virus

How To Protect Yourself From West Nile Virus

Just as we take shelter during a storm, animals also find ways to hunker down and protect themselves. During last week’s hurricane, Kelsey Low of the Houston Arboretum spotted different insects hiding out in her home.

“An Eastern Amberwing dragonfly clung to my window screen for dear life while Beryl passed through. I also found a large sphinx moth hiding from the rain in my garage,” says Kelsey Low of Houston Arboretum.

How do other animals hide out during a storm? Birds will take shelter deep in trees. You can also find rabbits digging under bushes, and frogs and turtles burying themselves in the mud, according to the Houston Arboretum. Owls and snakes will also dig their own burrows in the ground before a storm. However, 

sometimes debris can block the shelter they’ve created

During a hurricane, strong winds can also move birds hundreds of miles away from their original habitats. For example, after Hurricane Earl in 2010, a North Carolina brown pelican 

was found all the way in Halifax, Nova Scotia

. Some animals also can lose their normal food supply, such as squirrels and their nuts. However, deers can benefit from new vegetation that grows after a storm.

Hurricane Beryl caused problems for thousands of Houston’s wild animals. More than 1,600 orphaned or injured birds and critters have been taken in by Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center, including Mississippi kites, mourning doves, white-winged doves, opossums, and squirrels. They also are taking care of 350 egrets that were blown out of their nests in a northwest neighborhood. Here’s what to do 

if you find an orphaned animal or injured wildlife

how to prep your pets for the next hurricane.

Hurricane Beryl caused problems for thousands of Houston’s wild animals

Houston's Wild Animals Injured After Hurricane Beryl 

If you’ve been in Houston for a while, you know 

the Waugh Drive bridge over Buffalo Bayou

 is the perfect place to view bats at sunset. Mexican free-tailed bats are the most common type of bat found in the state. About 250,000 of them reside around the Waugh Drive bridge.

spend their winters hibernating in Mexico’s caves

. Then, they begin migrating to our state in February. These bats enjoy Texas’ high humidity and temperature levels. Our climate helps nurture their large maternity colonies. The baby bats grow rapidly and are ready to fly within five to six weeks after birth. Once they’re full-grown, these bats are fast. They can fly up to 60 miles per hour because of their short fur and long narrow wings.

Although thousands of bats reside around the Waugh Drive bridge, the population changes throughout the year. The prime viewing time is in the summer and early fall. However, during the winter, a large group of the bats stick around. On warm winter nights, it’s possible to see a flock of them emerge by the bridge. If temperatures hover around 50 degrees or below, then they won’t come out. Make sure to arrive about 15 minutes before sunset to get a good view.

Have you ever wondered how to view the bats that fly out from under Waugh Bridge? Here's how to view them at sunset. 

How to See The Bats at Waugh Bridge 

When you see a crape myrtle tree in full bloom, it’s hard not to stop and stare at the beautiful flowers. They’re likely the 

most common tree or shrub planted in Texas

 and can grow up to 20 feet tall. The trees are originally native to China and Korea, but they can handle Texas' hot climate, including droughts. They thrive in sunny conditions and should 

get at least six hours of direct sunlight everyday.

“People prize them for their colorful flowers and smooth, fluted trunks. However, many people don’t know that the trunks are so smooth because they shed their outer layer of bark every year! Don’t panic if you see the bark peeling from your tree – it’s totally normal, “ writes Kelsey Low of Houston Arboretum.

During the summer, you’ll see purple, pink, white, and red flowers bloom on crape myrtle trees and shrubs. Once the flowers bloom, they have wrinkled petals similar to crepe paper, giving them their name. Crape myrtles can serve as a habitat for birds, and bees are also attracted to the plant.

Did you know that Crape Myrtles are one of the most common trees and shrubs in Texas? 

Why Crape Myrtles Enjoy Houston's Climate

The warm weather and the rain might mean a hot tarantula summer in Houston. Yikes! But seriously, did you know tarantulas are spotted more in Texas between May and August than other times in the year? So, why is that, and what should you do if you spot a tarantula? 

During this time of year, male tarantulas are 

migrating to search for females to mate with

during warmer months and after a decent amount of rainfall

. Instead of spinning a web, these tarantulas usually take over burrows from insects or rodents and then line them with their silk. They enjoy eating insects like crickets and roaches, but can also devour small lizards and mice. Male tarantulas live up to only eight years, but female tarantulas can live up to 25 years or more.

What Should You Do If You Spot a Tarantula?

If you see a tarantula on your next walk or at a state park, don’t try to touch it. Leave it alone! Texas tan tarantulas are usually not aggressive and non-venomous to humans, but they can still bite you if provoked. The bite can be similar to getting a bee sting, so you want to be careful.

Did you know more tarantulas are spotted between May and August in Texas? Here's why you might see more tarantulas during the summer months. 

Why We're More Tarantulas in Texas 

Why We're Seeing More Tarantulas in Texas 

Be careful this summer: you might find an unwelcome reptile outdoors. Rattlesnakes are most active during the summer months. Here are a few tips to keep you and your pets safe when out on the trails.

Rattlesnakes are part of the viper family, which accounts for nearly 

, the western diamondback is the most common and the largest in the Houston area. Because it looks for food during the day, it’s more likely to be spotted than other rattlers. The good news: They’re actually not that common in Houston, though you may spot one in an outlying area or near a farm building.

. Their primary defense is to hide, followed by a rattle to fend off potential predators. Biting is a last resort.

Wear over-the-ankle boots and long pants.

Snake encounters can occur anywhere outdoors, but the chances are higher the further you are from a trail.

If you see a snake, alert other people in the area.

Dogs are curious by nature, so always keep them on a leash.

Rattlesnake bites can be extremely painful and potentially deadly if left untreated. The two most important steps to take if you’re bitten are to get away from the snake and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Below are some tips on what to do between the bite and receiving medical assistance.

Anxiety and panic will raise your heart rate, potentially aiding venom spread. If you or someone around you are safely able to, take a picture of the snake. This could help speed up medical assistance.

Remove any constricting items of clothing around the area (pants, socks, jewelry, etc). Place the affected area in a neutral and comfortable position.

Increased movement will help the venom spread faster.

Do not raise the affected area above your heart. The venom will make its way towards your heart faster. And don’t use a tourniquet, either. Let the wound bleed, then apply a bandage around it without constricting.

Summer is an active season for rattlesnakes in Texas, so it’s important to stay safe when out on the trails.