The ones you need to look out for

Warmer weather is on its way in Texas and many other southern states. With warmer weather comes more active wildlife, including snakes. Texas is home to numerous species of snakes, some venomous, some not. Snakes can be found almost anywhere in the state, including urban areas, many times people just don’t see them. Some of the most dangerous snakes in Texas according to TPDW are the pit viper, rattlesnakes, coral snakes, copperheads and cottonmouths.

The first confirmed case of white-nose syndrome in a bat was just detected in Texas recently. White-nose syndrome is a deadly disease that effects hibernating populations of bats and can lead to their deaths. The fungus latches onto to their bodies and causes them to come out of hibernation early, which in turn can cause them to starve to death. Until now, the fungus had been detected in the state but never turned into a confirmed case of the disease.

For more information on bats and snakes, visit The Critter Team.

What kind of snake is this? Here’s a Texas guide.

Texas snakes are expected to come out of hibernation as temperatures rise.

“There are lots of snakes around Houston,” herpetologist Stan Mays snake curator at the Houston Zoo told the Chron.com. “People just don’t see them.”

The busy-snake season typically begins when cool winter weather gives way to warmer days. That’s when Texas snakes are most active and will travel longer distances to find food. Female snakes are also seeking food for reptilian newborns. Learn more

Summary: Warmer weather is on its way in Texas and many other southern states. With warmer weather comes more active wildlife, including snakes. Texas is home to numerous species of snakes, some venomous, some not.

Deadly white-nose syndrome confirmed in Texas bat

A case of the deadly bat disease white-nose syndrome has been confirmed in a Texas bat for the first time, biologists announced Thursday.

Until now, only the fungus that causes the disease had been detected in Texas. White-nose syndrome has been a national concern because it has killed millions of hibernating bats in the eastern United States, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists say. See more

Summary: The first confirmed case of white-nose syndrome in a bat was just detected in Texas recently. White-nose syndrome is a deadly disease that effects hibernating populations of bats and can lead to their deaths.