How Does the Weather Affect Animal Behavior in Texas?

Texas weather is known for its extremes, ranging from scorching summers and mild winters to droughts and rainstorms — all within the same year. As the weather shifts, so does wildlife behavior around your home or commercial property. From squirrels seeking shelter in attics to bats roosting in walls, wildlife is constantly adapting to the seasons.

Understanding the seasonal patterns of wild animals will help you prevent costly property damage and health hazards. It also reminds us to seal any entry points that wildlife can break into. Read on to learn how Texas weather affects animal behavior so you can better prepare your property.

1. Spring Awakening

Spring in Texas transitions from mildly cold to warm temperatures and increased rainfall. While patterns can change from one species to the next, warmer temperatures generally affect wildlife activity by influencing animals to actively search for food and chances to breed. Here’s how spring impacts these animals’ actions:

Rodents: The seasonal behavior of rodents changes as the weather warms in spring. They leave their winter hideouts and become more active to find food and nests. Homes and commercial spaces can make perfect targets, with shelter and easy access to supplies. You might hear them scratching on walls or find nests in attics or basements. When it rains, they often head indoors for dry, covered areas.
Birds: Spring migration brings all kinds of birds to Texas, including pigeons and sparrows that might settle in attics, vents, or rooflines. When it rains, birds might hunker down in porches, sheds, or under eaves to stay dry until the storm passes.
Squirrels: Spring is the mating season for squirrels. They’re on the lookout for safe places to raise their young, like attics and rooftops. Light rain doesn’t slow them down much, but heavier showers usually keep them hiding.
Raccoons: The seasonal activity of raccoons picks up in spring. While they’re usually around trash bins and gardens, mother raccoons are busy finding food and shelter for their young. During heavy rain, they stay hidden or dig through wet lawns for grubs. They may break into attics, chimneys, and sheds. Raccoons are one of the most prominent carriers of rabies among wild animals, so be sure to avoid contact with them or any other wildlife you see.
Opossums: Active in spring, these nocturnal animals scavenge around neighborhoods. Opossums don’t stay in one place long, so you might see them pop up around garbage cans or pet food bowls. On rainy days, they may wait until they can prey on small animals or insects that emerge.
Bats: As temperatures warm, bats return from migration and gather in large maternity colonies. They may also settle in attics, chimneys, or behind shutters to raise their young and feed. Rainy weather tends to keep them grounded, since their poor echolocation makes it harder to fly safely.

2. Summer Survival

Summers in Texas are hot and dry, sometimes with intense heat waves. Wild animals adapt to the heat and are generally active in finding food while the weather is warm. Let’s take a look at how Texas summers affect animal behavior:

Rodents: Warmer temperatures and access to food make summer a peak breeding season for rodents. Expect increased activity as females search for nesting spots, such as basements or behind walls. They collect nesting materials like fabric, leaves, and paper. Rodents can also gnaw through wires, wall insulation, and other structures in homes or business spaces.
Birds: During summer, the seasonal behavior of birds includes early morning foraging and midday rest to avoid overheating. Birds rely on shaded areas, water sources, and bathing or wing-spreading to regulate their temperature. Some birds may nest in roof vents, exhaust vents, covered porches, or gutters, especially if those spots have water nearby.
Squirrels: Summer turns squirrels territorial to defend their nests. You’ll often find them nesting in attics or crawl spaces, and their chewing can damage wires and insulation. Squirrels may also carry parasites that cause health issues. To avoid the heat, they’re more active during early mornings and evenings.
Raccoons: With their young growing in late summer, raccoons become more active in the search for food and shelter. They often break into attics and crawl spaces, raiding gardens and trash bins at night.
Opossums: The seasonal activity of opossums ramps up in warm months. They roam neighborhoods in search of food, scavenging from trash cans or pet bowls left outside. They also like frequenting yards, porches, and garages.
Bats: Summer is a prime hunting season for bats. They emerge nightly to feed on swarms of insects and may roost in barns, attics, or wall voids. You may detect their presence by finding droppings or hearing screeching noises. Large bat colonies can quickly form if not addressed early.

3. Fall Preparations

As the weather shifts to fall, hot temperatures slowly turn cooler. During this season, many animals tend to feed more to bulk up for winter. Here’s how the fall affects wild animals in Texas:

Rodents: Rodents ramp up food storage and tend to stay near food sources and water. Sheds, crawl spaces, and basements can become nesting spots. Mice, in particular, are small and can infiltrate your kitchen.
Birds: Fall is another migration season for birds in Texas, with many foraging during the day and flying at night to conserve energy. Houses with feeders, fruit trees, or yards can become stopover points, drawing in both common and rare birds.
Squirrels: The seasonal behavior of squirrels includes intense food gathering and nest preparation during fall. They bury nuts in lawns, dig up gardens, and may chew into attics or garages for warmth, leading to structural damage or electrical issues.
Raccoons: Raccoons typically shift between dens in fall. As winter comes, they look for a warm, consistent shelter. This may include attics, chimneys, or crawl spaces.
Opossums: Opossums seek stable, insulated areas in the fall. They usually remain in one place longer during this season, sometimes under decks or in sheds when food is nearby.
Bats: The seasonal activity of bats during fall includes mating, feeding, and locating hibernation sites. They may find their way into attics and wall cavities for warmth and seclusion, making homes easy targets before migrating or going dormant.

4. Winter Adaptations

Texas has mild winter temperatures with occasional cold snaps and freezes. During this season, wildlife is generally not as active to save energy during the cold. In particular, the weather affects hibernation patterns and shelter-seeking in different animals. Let’s explore how winter impacts wild animals:

Rodents: Some rodents enter partial hibernation or slow down to conserve energy. They often invade attics, basements, or wall voids in search of warmth, insulation, and food. Small mice can squeeze through tiny openings to nest in hard-to-reach spots.
Birds: While numerous birds migrate for the winter, many stay in Texas. They may settle in gutters, roof eaves, or chimneys, leaving nesting debris and potential clogging.
Squirrels: Squirrels store food and bulk up in preparation for winter. Adult squirrels may semi-hibernate, while younger ones stay active. They tend to stay in burrows for extended periods, bury food supplies nearby, and often move into attics or garages.
Raccoons: Raccoons don’t hibernate, but they do sleep for long periods during winter. Like rodents and squirrels, they seek shelter in warm, enclosed spaces, which can damage properties and cause hygiene issues.
Opossums: Rather than hibernating, opossums hunker down in dens made of leaves or debris. Vulnerable to frostbite, they burrow into insulated dens for warmth. Opossums may settle under porches, sheds, or decks, emerging on warmer days to scavenge.
Bats: Bats in Texas often hibernate lightly in shorter cycles, waking periodically. They prefer stable temperatures and may enter attics or wall voids to avoid sudden cold snaps.

Call the Professionals for Wildlife Trapping and Removal Services

Understanding how Texas’s changing seasons impact animal behavior is the first step in protecting your home or business from unwanted guests, like mice, squirrels, raccoons, and even bats.

When you need professional animal trapping and removal, count on Urban Jungle Wildlife Removal. Our team of wildlife biologists provides tailored solutions to safely and effectively handle wild animals on your property. We are your trusted partner for wildlife exclusion and repairs, as well as wildlife cleanup and sanitation services.