New Hampshire Public Television: NatureWorks. It lives up to 12 to 15 years in the wild. All Rights Reserved, Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation, Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Declaration of Independence of Texas, 1836, Constitution of the Republic of Texas, 1836, William Barret Travis’ Letter From the Alamo, 1836, Anson Jones to Washington Daniel Miller May 3, 1844. The armadillo's diet This animal reaches sexual maturity by the time it is one year of age, and the female is capable of producing up to 56 young ones over the course of her life. WHEREAS, The two front-runners in this race have been the armadillo and the longhorn; and Four young are born in a burrow in March. Would you like to write for us? Other The armadillo is the state small mammal of Texas. H.C.R. Most people think that animals in circus and movies like what they do. It is highly-territorial and always marks its territory. It is mostly found in North, Central, and South America. and east as Oklahoma and Mississippi. feet, and adults weigh from twelve Texas Statutes. What are the Texas State Animals? However, this is not the case as has been glaringly pointed out and proved. It digs erratically with its snout and claws to loosen the soil, and uses its long, sticky tongue to catch beetles, ants, termites, worms, grubs, and caterpillars. The state held a mock election with hundreds of elementary school children to decide on the state mammal. STATE LINKS These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. symbol by businesses from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle; and The most common of all armadillos, this animal belongs to the family of the Dasypodidae. The State of Texas. All State Mammals. Similar in form to an anteater, the bony, scaled shell of the armadillo Copyright © if (cyear != fyear){document.write(cyear + "-" + fyear)} else {document.write(fyear)} by NSTATE, LLC. GEOGRAPHY WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of an Official State Mammal of Texas has been the subject of an extensive statewide mock election 178. WHEREAS, The State of Texas traditionally has recognized a variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and, WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the pecan tree, the Guadalupe bass, and the lightning whelk are examples of some natural specimens that serve to symbolize the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our shared culture as Texans; and, WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of an Official State Mammal of Texas has been the subject of an extensive statewide mock election participated in by hundreds of elementary schoolchildren throughout our state; and, WHEREAS, The two front-runners in this race have been the armadillo and the longhorn; and, WHEREAS, Once the cornerstone of the Texas cattle industry, an estimated 10 million longhorns were herded from Texas to midwestern and western markets during the quarter century that followed the Civil War, providing invaluable stability to the state's postwar economy; and, WHEREAS, The longhorn's distinctive profile commands an immediate association with the State of Texas nationwide and is fittingly used as a visual symbol by businesses from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle; and, WHEREAS, The other candidate for designation as Official State Mammal, the armadillo is a hardy, pioneering creature that chose to begin migrating here at about the time that Texas became a state; and, WHEREAS, The armadillo possesses many remarkable and unique traits, some of which parallel the attributes that distinguish a true Texan, such as a deep respect and need for the land, the ability to change and adapt, and a fierce undying love for freedom; and, WHEREAS, As proud and indomitable as the state from which they hail, both the longhorn and the armadillo will serve as fitting symbols of Texas' unique heritage; now, therefore, be it. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001. Support for the longhorn and armadillo was equally divided so the state decided to create a designation for small state mammal and large Read more Its total body length is about 15-17 inches, and the male and female armadillo weigh about 11-17 lbs and 8-13 lbs respectively. It becomes more active during the night, twilight, or just before sunrise. It was hunted for its meat during the depression. All State Mammals. The mating usually takes place in a burrow from July to August in the Northern Hemisphere and November to January in the Southern Hemisphere. The nine-banded Armadillo is a solitary, nocturnal animal. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Originally native to South America, the armadillo now ranges as far north as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas heritage; now, therefore, be it Your contact information is used to deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences. Though not specified in House Concurrent Resolution No. Armadillo Facts. Legislative Reference Library. Dasypus novemcinctus - (Linnaeus, 1758), Nine-banded Armadillo: The amazing thing about the nine-banded armadillo is that it will always gives birth to the same gender quadruplets from a single egg. not survive in areas where the soil is too hard to dig. Texas Legislature Online. Complete list of official state mammals from NETSTATE.COM.     Subfamily: Dasypodinae It immigrated to Texas in the 19th century, and as of now, it is quite widely-seen. Texas State Historical Association: The Handbook of Texas Online. NETSTATE.MALL Occasionally eats berries and bird eggs. After birth, the quadruplets remain in the burrow with their mother for a period of three months, where they live off the mother’s milk. But maybe you are a birder and you got that one immediately! NETSTATE.STORE google_ad_client = "pub-6198287838137393"; Why are Texas armadillos important? The common chuckwalla, native to the Mojave Desert of North America, is the second largest species of lizard found in the United States. 95 was signed. google_ad_format = "120x600_as"; So, House Concurrent Resolution No. Austin: The State of Texas, 1995. Web. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These animals live in both North and South America. are the only mammals in which multiple young form from a single egg with any regularity. google_color_text = "000000"; Manage My Subscriptions, archive  Why are Texas armadillos important? FORUM Every act of animal cruelty is inhumane. consists chiefly of insects, grubs, and spiders, though it also eats such foods as earthworms, small amphibians, and reptiles. the official Small State Mammal of Texas. It is commonly found as far north All four young, to the Texas fauna, is the only species of armadillo that occurs in North America, the other twenty or so species of Dasypodidae being restricted to It has 30 or 32 peg-shaped teeth and a very long tongue. Distribution is often determined by soil conditions, since the animal will