The many greenbelts in and around Austin are home to a thriving population of wildlife. Most animals avoid humans, but a few can be seen around town, usually early in the morning or at dusk.

White-Tailed Deer

By far the largest animal you’re likely to see in Austin, deer are welcome guests in some northwest Austin neighborhoods. In spring, residents frequently see fawns sleeping in their yards when they go out to retrieve the morning papers.

Unfortunately, deer are not too bright when it comes to avoiding cars. Drive with caution in the morning and at night to avoid a very ugly and potentially life-threatening accident.

Green Monk Parakeet

No one knows exactly how Austin’s wild parrots got here. They may have migrated north from Mexico, or they may be the offspring of escaped pets. However they got here, they are delightful to watch. You’re most likely to hear their loud chattering overhead before you see them. They sometimes cause problems in cell phone towers by building massive communal nests. While they appear to be mostly green from a distance, they also have white patches and some have beautiful blue streaks.

Raccoon

If you see what looks like a hunchbacked cat crossing the road at night, that’s probably a raccoon. These mischievous mammals often make nests in large tree cavities and will happily raid any trash can that’s not properly sealed. They’ve even been known to enter houses through doggie doors.

Possum

The possum (aka opossum) has an undeserved reputation for carrying rabies.

In fact, the animals are highly resistant to rabies. Researchers are studying them to develop better vaccines and treatments. Also, they look a little creepy with their patchy fur, pointy faces and long, hairless tails. On the plus side, they eat bugs and generally don’t harm pets or people. They do reproduce quickly, so that can be a problem when there are suddenly dozens of little possum mouths to feed.

Rat Snake

If you see a snake climbing a tree in Austin, that’s probably a rat snake. The brownish, mottled snakes have amazing climbing abilities. I’ve seen them meander upward through twig-sized branches without any difficulty. As the name implies, they eat rats and they are not venomous. The pattern on their skin sometimes resembles that of a diamond-backed rattlesnake, but if there’s no rattle, there’s nothing to worry about.

Gray Fox

Adorable but elusive, the gray fox is mostly nocturnal but can sometimes be seen in woody areas on the edges of neighborhoods. I actually saw one hiding under a bush while I was stuck in traffic once near Barton Creek Mall.