We live in the city, but Frisco is not far removed from the country. There are a number of surprising animals whose range overlaps our town. Some of them are not commonly seen but are occasionally spotted around Frisco.
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Armadillo: You might associate the armadillo with West Texas or South Texas. They have been expanding their range for years and are found in most of the southern United States as far west as New Mexico, and as far north as southern Kansas. Armadillos generally eat insects, but also reptiles, amphibians, and bird eggs.
Fun fact: If frightened, the armadillo can jump 3 – 4 feet into the air.
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Mountain Lion: While extremely rare to see, their range covers the area including all of Texas. A Frisco neighbor caught a picture of one (not the image to the right) perched on their fence in 2013 and there was no question what it was. In this part of the country the population is reduced, but they aren’t gone. If you see one, be aware that animal control won’t take them away but may come take a look. Either way, it’s best to call them so they are aware of the presence.
Fun Fact: Mountain lion, cougar, panther, and puma, are all names for the same animal.
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Mexican Free-Tailed Bat: They’re one of the most abundant animals in North America. These are the same type of bats famously found under the Congress Bridge in Austin, where some 1.5 Million of them live. They’re reported to be good for mosquito control but their overall effectiveness is debatable, though they are known to eat a lot of insects. Good luck seeing them as they are nocturnal and average about 3.5 inches in length.
Fun Fact: The largest known colony of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats is in Bracken Cave just north of San Antonio. Approximately 20 million bats live there.
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Southern Black Widow: I’m creeped out just writing this but yeah, we’ve got them in the area. The good news is they tend to stay away from humans and only bite if they feel threatened. Only the females have the iconic red hourglass and only the females pose a serious threat to people. The males are also toxic but their “fangs” aren’t long enough to inject venom. If you do get bitten, call 911.
Not-so-fun Fact: Black widow spider venom is 15 times as toxic as the venom of the prairie rattlesnake.
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Roadrunner: Their range extends well into Oklahoma and a neighbor has spotted them on the far west side of Frisco. They’re not common but the are here. About the size of a common raven they can run up to 20 miles per hour. They feed on small animals and insects, and are capable of limited flight.
Fun Fact: They have a knack for eating venomous serpents and insects without harm to themselves.
If you see something you can’t identify, or that concerns you, call Frisco Animal Control, Monday – Friday, from 8am – 5pm: 972-292-5303
If it’s an emergency call police dispatch at: 972-292-5303