Critters Archives

Critters|

May 20, 2020

Meet the Ocelot Whisperer

Documentarian Ben Masters tracks some of the few Leopardus pardalis that are left in Texas.

By Pam LeBlanc

Critters|

May 7, 2020

New to Backyard Chicken-Keeping? Here’s Some Eggspert Advice

As Texans flock to the hobby in record numbers, we convened a virtual staff roundtable to share tips.

By

Critters|

May 5, 2020

As the Pandemic Inflames Old Fears, Texas’s ‘Bat Man’ Urges: Don’t Blame Bats

Merlin Tuttle has spent his career dispelling myths about bats. Now he’s defending them once again.

By

Critters|

April 2, 2020

An Unintended Consequence of Social Isolation: More Encounters With Texas Wildlife

In Houston, officials say people are coming into more and more contact with otters, owls, and other animals.

By Peter Holley

Close-up of a feral hog sticking its snout through a wire fence.

Critters|

December 30, 2019

Feral Hogs Are Invading Yankeeland. Northern Friends, Here’s What You Need to Know.

Tips from Texans who trap, kill, and study wild pigs.

By

Critters|

October 24, 2019

Can the Bobwhite Quail Be Saved?

Once widely hunted in Texas, the beloved game birds have been dwindling in number in recent decades. But a West Texas hunter and professor believes he’s found a way to save them.

By

The twelve most dangerous animals in Texas.

Critters|

October 17, 2019

The 12 Most Dangerous Critters in Texas

These creatures—some creepy crawlers, some fearsome beasts, some microscopic threats—can and will kill you, maybe.

By

Turtle and pitbull sitting next to each other on the grass.

Critters|

October 16, 2019

Somebody Help This North Texas Family Find Their Giant Tortoise

Mr. Mabel needs to come home.

By

Critters|

October 9, 2019

The Cricket Invasion Is Upon Us Once Again

Every year, Central Texas is swarmed with the little pests, causing panic across social media feeds.

By Sean O'Neal

Critters|

August 26, 2019

Can Texas Bats Be Saved?

If Texas biologists can prevent an outbreak of white-nose syndrome, caused by a fast-spreading fungus, they may provide a new national model for bat conservation.

By Dan Oko

Critters|

August 13, 2019

Zebra Mussels Are Infesting Texas Lakes. There’s Only One Way to Stop Them.

The invasive species hitches rides on contaminated boats from one body of water to the next.

By

Critters|

August 1, 2019

Is the Salvador Dalí Dog Up for Adoption in Dallas or Not? A Texas Monthly Investigation

Why is New York trying to steal Texas’s most Instagrammable puppy?

By

Critters|

July 23, 2019

Should You Shave Your Dog in the Summertime?

Ten years ago, my wife and I saw a listing on Craigslist for an 18-month-old Siberian husky. Within a few seconds of meeting Dio, I knew he was our dog. In the years since, we’ve cared for him in little ways (a grain-free diet that agrees with his sensitive stomach!)

By

Critters|

May 20, 2019

The Flight of the Texas Fireflies

Although they're on the rebound in Central Texas, these magical flying beetles aren't lighting up the sky like they used to. A New Braunfels expert says they're still out there if you know where to look.

By John Nova Lomax

Best Thing In Texas|

April 25, 2019

The Best Thing in Texas: An Escaped Kangaroo Takes a Wimberley Walkabout

This marsupial on the lam from an exotic wildlife ranch has become the talk of the Hill Country.

By

Critters|

March 25, 2019

The Tragic Tale of Zero the Hero Dog

A heroic pet was shot and killed protecting his family in Houston, proving once more that dogs are the best of all of us.

By

Critters|

March 22, 2019

Life, in Dog Years

My father always pampered his pets. So when he fell ill and moved in with us, it was no surprise that his corgi came to rule our home. What I didn’t expect was for Trilby to care for me after Dad was gone.

By

Best Thing In Texas|

March 21, 2019

The Best Thing in Texas: This Fella Brought a Dang Longhorn to a Petco

It's the opposite of a bum steer.

By

A dog lounging under a patio table at Radio Coffee & Beer in Austin, Texas.

Politics & Policy|

March 20, 2019

The Texas Lege’s Culture War on Austin Has Come to a Cuddly Ceasefire

A step towards a less partisan future. Or at least a furrier, friendlier one.

By

Critters|

February 4, 2019

Y’all! Look at These Two New Baby Lemurs at the Houston Zoo

Current hobbies include clinging to their mothers's fur and waiting to grow up.

By

Critters|

January 15, 2019

Extinct Red Wolf DNA Discovered in Pack of Galveston Strays

Long live the red wolf.

By Leif Reigstad

Critters|

December 3, 2018

George H. W. Bush’s Dog, Sully, Is a Very Good Boy

A few words on Sully, the former president’s late-in-life pal.

By Leif Reigstad

Best Thing In Texas|

November 12, 2018

The Bessssssst Thing in Texasssss: A Pet Boa Constrictor That Ended Up in a Fort Worth Goodwill Is Back Home

The snake’s owner was terrified that someone was going to steal his pet.

By

A photo of prairie dogs, also known as sod poodles, holding baseball equipment

Arts & Entertainment|

October 8, 2018

Root, Root, Root for the Amarillo Sod Poodles

When the finalists for Amarillo's new Double-A baseball team were announced, they raised eyebrows. But thanks to a catchy song, sod poodles are winning over Amarilloans.

By Austin Corona

Outdoors|

September 24, 2018

Meet the Next Generation of Texas Hunters

Austin’s Greater Calvary Bible Church believes the sport is a training ground for essential life lessons. Here’s how the congregation’s efforts defy hunting trends across the state.

By Mike Leggett and Charley Locke

Outdoors|

September 21, 2018

Behind the Lines: How to Hunt Like a Texan (and Talk Like One Too)

Emily McCullar on hunting's place in her life, plus a tour through her glossary of hunting terms.

By Texas Monthly

Dexter the mountain lion, photographed by Ford in studio.

Art|

September 21, 2018

Randal Ford on Photographing ‘The Animal Kingdom’

For his latest book, photographer Randal Ford took a walk on the wild(life) side.

By Charley Locke

Outdoors|

September 21, 2018

The Best Deer Hunts in Texas

Whitetail season is nearly upon us. Here are the destinations that belong at the top of every hunter’s bucket list.

By Mike Leggett

Outdoors|

September 21, 2018

How to Talk Like a Hunter

A brief primer so the next time you get an invite to your buddy’s deer stand, you won’t booger things up.

By

Outdoors|

September 21, 2018

Notes on Life, Death, and Family From a Hill Country Deer Blind

"We both watch the blood and steam spill out into the winter air. At this point, it is not unusual for at least one of us to cry."

By

Outdoors|

September 21, 2018

Jack Brittingham and the Obsessive Quest for Ever-Bigger Trophy Deer

The gear is better, the antlers are grander, and the price of admission has shot way up. Welcome to the new world of Texas hunting.

By Mike Leggett

Outdoors|

September 21, 2018

Has Hunting Become a Rich Man’s Game?

The deer industry is booming. Participation in the sport is not.

By Mike Leggett and Charley Locke

Film & TV|

September 19, 2018

Great-Grandma Avenged Her Mini Horse by Shooting the Gator She Thinks Ate It. This Story Deserves the Hollywood Treatment.

And here's how we'll make it. Get the agents for Sissy Spacek, Debra Winger, and Margo Martindale on the horn!

By

Army Spec. Alec Alcoser pins the Purple Heart on a bomb-sniffer dog named Alex

Best Thing In Texas|

September 18, 2018

The Best Thing in Texas: A Purple Heart Recipient and the Dog Who Served Alongside Him Were Reunited in San Antonio

The two wounded warriors—both Purple Heart recipients—had an emotional reunion.

By

The Culture|

September 5, 2018

The Best Thing in Texas: Meet Emotional Support Alpacas Willie, Waylon, and Tex

The cowboy hat-wearing trio warmed hearts at the Texas Rural Health Services center in La Grange.

By

True Crime|

August 24, 2018

Who’s Killing Buck Birdsong’s Cows?

Life on the ranch was hard enough already, and full of uncertainty. Then a string of dead calves turned up, and everything pointed to murder. But why? And how? A Longview mystery.

By Leif Reigstad