What Animals Live in West Texas Desert Holes?

Though it's rare to find this nine-banded, leathery mammal in the far West Texas deserts, they do thrive in eastern portions of West Texas. Sleeping up to 16 hours a day, these armored insect-eaters -- cousins to the anteater and sloth -- burrow into holes and create elaborate tunnels with their impressive front claws. They use their long, sticky tongues to hunt for bugs of all kinds and will eat plants, fruit and the occasional small vertebrate or mammal.

This nomadic mammal keeps on the move in its search for food and safe shelter. Burrowing a new hole every day or two, the fierce badger digs mounds of dirt rapidly, uncovering tiny ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice and rats for food and defending its prey against larger mammals with vice-like jaws and sharp, pointy teeth. The badger's skin is tough and hard to pierce, which works to its advantage in battles against even the deadliest predators.

Several varieties of fox inhabit the desert areas of West Texas. Though common red or gray foxes are less abundant in this area and are more likely to be found in greener parts of the state, you'll find plenty of kit (swift) foxes here. These cat-sized creatures have long, slender ears that help them radiate heat and warn them to the approach of predators. Their grayish coat provides an effective camouflage in the rocks and sand, and their furry paws provide protection against the scorch of the desert floor. They feed primarily on small rodents or mammals, preferring to sleep during the heat of the day and hunt at night.

Pocket gophers are abundant in the deserts of West Texas. They are hermits who burrow deep holes and elaborate tunnel structures in the sand, gnashing their pointy teeth and wheezing when disturbed. They feed mostly on root vegetables and grass and eliminate small pellets after digestion. They can be gray, beige, or a combination of grayish brown and have a long, sporadically haired tail.

There are more than five species of small-bodied ground squirrels found in Texas, including the rock squirrel, the Mexican ground squirrel, the spotted ground squirrel, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and the Texas antelope squirrel -- though the latter two varieties prefer the grassier terrain of Southern and Central Texas to West Texas deserts. All ground squirrels are prolific burrowers who can create elaborate tunnels with separate entrances and exits -- a talent that helps protect them against predator mammals. They are omnivorous and will dine on roadkill, leftovers from a larger predator, or seeds, nuts or vegetation. Their fur is brown, reddish-brown or gray and may contain white stripes.