The Animals that Frequent Our WaterWays
Our recent blog post about feral hogs was a fan favorite for you and your neighbors, but these hogs are just one of the many types of animals that frequent our waterways. In this installment of WaterWays, we’re sharing a few of the other mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles that the IFCD 3 team occasionally spots in or near Valley Ranch’s waterways.
Squirrels – Seen all over our community as they climb trees, munch on food and scurry across roads, squirrels are one of the most common mammals in Valley Ranch. Did you know they sometimes pretend to bury their food to trick potential thieves?
Possums – Easy to identify, these creatures commonly are found balancing on fence lines or climbing trees. They’re immune to venom from snakes and other dangerous animals, and they respond to danger by fainting, which is why people think they “play dead.”
- Moles – An enemy of gardeners everywhere, these pesky animals will tear up lawns by digging an elaborate underground tunnel in search of bugs to eat.
- Armadillos – These barrel-shaped animals have a natural layer of armor, which works well against predators, but not vehicles. They’re known by some as “Texas Speed Bumps” for their tendency to get run over in the middle of the road.
- Bats – Although quite scary looking, bats are helpful hunters here in Valley Ranch. They eat flying insects such as mosquitoes, beetles and moths.
- Mallard Ducks – Known to sit and dabble along the top of our waterways, these ducks are one of the most frequent visitors to our canals and ponds. They’re also one of the oldest types of ducks in existence.
- Turtles – There are many species of turtles that live in and along our waterways, including the Ornate Box Turtle, the Three-toed Box Turtle, the Mississippi Map Turtle and more. These amphibians love to bask in the sun on rocks, only to slip back into the water when humans walk by.
Should you ever spot any of these animals in your yard, along our community trails or in nearby streams or canals, it is important to leave them alone. Do not get too close to these animals, and remember, like us, they’re a part of Valley Ranch’s complex, interactive ecosystem!
For more information on the wildlife here in our community, refer to the Texas Wildlife Identification Guide, which shares photos, descriptions and fun facts about our wildlife.
For ongoing updates on the waterways that many of these animals frequent, follow IFCD 3 on Twitter and Facebook!