Critters

gray sketch illustration of wolf eyes

Red Wolves Aren't Gone — They're Mixed With Coyotes on Galveston Island

Red wolf/coyote hybrids cause a stir in the wildlife world.

Story by Russell A. Graves
Velvet ant that is orange and black on white background
October 2025 Issue

An Ant That’s Not an Ant

Velvet ants are wasps that pack a powerful sting.

Story by Katie Potter
Scorpion crawling over rocks
June 2014 Issue

Texas Scorpions: Fearsome, Fascinating, Fluorescent

Taking the sting out of Texas’ much-maligned scorpions.

Story by Dale Weisman
Tarantula on hard packed dirt crawling over a dried blade of grass.
March 2010 Issue

Tarantula: A Gentle Giant

Texas’ most fearsome-looking spider is reclusive, harmless ... and essential.

Story by Dale Weisman
wolf snail crawling on rocky ledge.
January/February 2015 Issue

Wolf Snail: Killer on the Prowl

The cannibalistic wolf snail lives up to its name.

Story and photos by Ben Hutchins
Turtles resting on a rock in the water.
January/February 2020 Issue

Is It a Tortoise or a Turtle?

They do look alike and share some traits. How can we tell them apart?

whale shark at the surface of the water coming up for air.
June 2010 Issue

Whale Sharks: Giants in the Gulf

The world's largest fish are closer than you think.

Story by Melissa Gaskill
alligator hatchling riding on back of adult aligator swimming through water.

Alligators Are Good Moms, Keeping Hatchlings Safe

At Brazos Bend, moms make sure little gators grow up till they reach the top of the food chain.

Story by Montserrat Canedo
hognose snake curled at the top and bottom forming an "s" shape against a black background.

Hognose Snakes Act Scary But Aren't Dangerous

Harmless eastern hognose can use a variety of tactics to scare us, including looking like a cobra.

Story by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers
Brown Texas Blind Snake camouflaged by brown leaves as it slithers over the ground
November 2018 Issue

Texas Blind Snakes Live Fascinating Lives Underground

They are harmless to humans but a threat to ants and termites.

Story by Eva Frederick
Advertisement
Magazine in print and digital formats

Subscribe to the Magazine for Only $2.

Enjoy a full year of our award-winning photos, travel recommendations, and much more! Plus, the digital subscription includes more than 600 articles and future updates while the subscription is active.