The primary causes for the endangerment of Texas mammals are overh-unting for fur and loss of habitats. One endangered mammal, the Mexican long-nosed bat, is only found in caves within Big Bend National Park; the bat's roost is protected by the federal government. Endangered mammalian carnivores in Texas are the red wolf, gray wolf, ocelot and jaguarundi -- the latter two mammals are feline species. West Indian manatee populations in Texas are also in decline; these mammals are in the Gulf of Mexico and estuaries throughout eastern Texas' Gulf Coast.
Water degradation, commercial fishing and urbanization are the chief causes of endangering some of Texas' fish species. Texas' endangered freshwater fish are found in the Rio Grande and San Marcos Rivers; these fish include the Rio Grande silvery minnow and San Marcos gambusia. Some of Texas endangered fish are endemic to Texas, such as the Comanche Springs pupfish and Leon Springs pupfish. Texas only has one endangered saltwater fish, the smalltooth sawfish; this fish dwells in east Texas' coastal region.
The causes for the endangerment of Texas' birds varies depending on the species of bird. Water degradation and loss of habitat are the main causes of endangerment for wetland and coast birds, while songbirds and arboreal birds suffer from hunting and deforestation. Endangered wetland birds include the eastern brown pelican, whooping crane and eskimo curlew. Red-cockaded woodpeckers, southwestern willow flycatchers and golden-cheeked warblers are endangered arboreal birds and songbirds. The northern Aplamado falcon is the only endangered bird of prey in Texas.
The Lone Star State only has three reptiles on the state's endangered species list: the Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle, Kemp's Ridley sea turtle and leatherback sea turtle. These three reptilian species live in the Gulf of Mexico and are seen on the beaches of South Padre Island and Matagorda Island State Park. Sea turtles come to Texas during the winter months and use the state's beaches as a nesting area. The primary reasons for their endangerment are egg collecting, over-hunting for their leathery skin and water degradation. These turtles are considered endangered throughout the world, not just Texas.