Texas Food Chains

Ecological Terms  Autotroph  Heterotroph  Decomposer  Primary consumer  Secondary consumer  Tertiary Consumer

Bobcat Felis rufus Bobcats, named for their "bobbed" tails, have ears that resemble their feline cousin, the lynx. Photograph by Norbert Rosing Photograph by Norbert Rosing

Coyote Canis latrans Clever and adaptive, coyotes flourish over much of North America, in part because of their keen hunting and foraging skills. Photograph by George McCarthy Photograph by George McCarthy

Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus They are active at night, sleeping during the day in dense vegetation or secluded rocky places. Nursing mothers and pups use a den— a hollow log, abandoned building, tangle of brush, or cracked boulder—for shelter. Photograph by David Hosking Photograph by David Hosking

Jackrabbit Lepus californicus Long ears alert for possible predators, a black-tailed jackrabbit rests near a cactus in the Arizona desert. Photograph by Annie Griffiths BeltPhotograph by Annie Griffiths Belt

Javelina Peccary Pecari tajacu The name Javelina is Spanish for spear. A pig-like species, but not a true pig. Photograph by Gerrit Vyn Photograph by Gerrit Vyn

Mountain Lion Felis concolor Mountain lions do not like to share their territory and are constantly on the lookout for invaders. Photograph by Jim & Jamie Dutcher Photograph by Jim & Jamie Dutcher

Opossum Didelphia virginiana Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. Photograph by Hope Ryden Photograph by Hope Ryden

Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus Prairie dogs emerge from their burrows in daylight to forage and feed on grasses, roots, and seeds. Photograph by Raymond GehmanPhotograph by Raymond Gehman

Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis The most common hawk in North America, red-tails can often be seen atop utility poles and other lofty perches, on the lookout for potential prey. Photograph by Rich ReidPhotograph by Rich Reid

Short-Horned Lizard Phrynosoma hernandesi Short-horned lizards have an array of defenses to dissuade would-be predators, including a spike- covered exterior and the ability in some species to shoot blood from their eyes. Photograph courtesy Gary M. Stolz/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Photograph courtesy Gary M. Stolz/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox A venomous rattlesnake species found in the United States and Mexico. It is likely responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in northern Mexico and the second-greatest number in the USA. ImageImage