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This bird, native to local prairies, is on the endangered
species list. (Fact: One of the only remaining natural populations of this bird
exists not far from here at the Galveston Bay Coastal Prairie Preserve in Texas City.)
These native reptiles can run faster than a human for a
short burst in a straight line. (Fact: The babies emit a high pitch croak or
chirp which signals the mother to open the nest. Babies grow about 12 inches per year.
Adults can grow to 16 feet and weigh up to 500 pounds!)
Trawling excluder devices, known as TED’S, are
designed to protect this reptile. (Fact: Sex of the hatchling of this animal is
determined by the temperature of the ground surrounding the eggs. If the temperature is 90
degrees or above, mainly females will hatch. If below 90 degrees F, mainly males will
emerge.)
These non-native aquatic mammals are responsible for
destroying wetlands. (Fact: Nutria were brought over from Europe to
Louisiana for pelt production.)
The pouch on this native bird is used to catch fish. (Fact:
This bird does not store fish in it’s pouch because it would be too front heavy to
fly properly.)
This United States mascot has nesting sites in three
counties surrounding Galveston Bay. (Fact: This bird's existence was threatened
for many years due to a pesticide, DDT, interfering with the hardening of their eggs.)
These marine mammals can be identified by their dorsal
fins. (Fact: The females sleep right at the surface while males sleep below the
surface and rely on an automatic reflex to periodically surface to breathe.)
Females of this bottom dwelling creature can be identified
by their red colored "pinchers." (Fact: Crabs must shed their shells to
grow which is called molting.)
Only this native snake gives an audible warning. (Fact:
These snakes gather in community dens for warmth during cool weather.)
These pesky non-native insects can ruin a picnic. (Fact: They
migrated up from South America.)
This native saltwater fish has both eyes located on the
same side of its body at maturity. (Fact: The dolphins sometimes play Frisbee
with these fish before they devour them.)
This mammal wears a full set of armor. (Fact:
Using their long sticky tongue, they can eat up to 40,000 ants in one feeding.)
Only the female of this insect sucks your blood. (Fact:
The female finds her next victim by detecting increased carbon dioxide levels in the air
given off by mammals.)
This marine inhabitant’s tentacles can produce quite
a sting! (Fact: If you get stung by a one of these, you can reduce the swelling
and sting by putting meat tenderizer on the affected area. The enzymes in the meat
tenderizer will break down the proteins in the toxin and make it heal quicker.)
This bivalve filters water at a rate of 2 – 4 gallons
per hour. (Fact: It takes from five months to seven years for one of these to
produce a cultured pearl).
This small toad native to the Houston area is on the
endangered species list. (Fact: This toad is endangered due to the widespread
development of its natural habitat.)
What bird migrated up from South America and can be seen
riding the backs of cows? (Fact: This bird hangs around cows because the cows
stir up insects which is it's favorite food).
"Killer Bees" originated from this continent. (Fact:
The bees were brought over from there to South America for research but escaped ,colonized
and have been moving north ever since. There are colonies established in several counties
in Texas).
One type (color) of shrimp found in the coastal waters of
Texas. (Fact: The Texas shrimp industry is one of the most valuable and largest
seafood industries in the U.S.).
This exotic (non-native) freshwater fish is well traveled!
It originated in China, was imported to California, Arkansas, and most recently, Texas.
(Fact: Thee fish were stocked in Lake Conroe to eat the over-abundance of shoreline and
submerged grasses. The fish were suppose to be triploid, meaning they could not reproduce,
but somehow they did and now they can be found in most water bodies leading to Galveston
Bay).
Roseate spoonbills gain their pink coloring from eating
this Bay organism. (Fact: The beak of this animal is shaped like a spoon which
makes it easier for them to catch small organisms in the water.)
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