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TEXAS

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Everything is bigger in Texas! Texas paddling trails boast over 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline and offer unlimited opportunities for paddling adventures. Hop in your canoe or kayak and experience a variety of coastal habitats including marsh, mangrove, sea grasses, and oyster reefs or paddle through urban Buffalo Bayou in the state’s largest city, Houston. From the wilds of the South Padre Island coast where you can see green jays around every corner to the convenience of Galveston Island, there are miles and miles of coastline to explore in Texas. Check out the Texas state paddling website for more information.

3,359
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Miles of Shoreline

Texas has 3,359 miles of shoreline, which is like driving from Houston to Brownsville 9 times.1

3%

How wet is Texas? 2.7% of the state is covered by water.2

184,797
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Miles of Rivers

There are 184,797 miles of rivers in Texas, which is long enough to travel around the earth seven times and more than half the distance to the moon!3

Famous Texas Wildlife

Horned
Lizard

Horned Lizard

The Horned Lizard, also known as the Horny Toad, is a threatened species.

Roseate

Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill at Estero Llano Grande State Park
Roseate Spoonbill

This unique coastal bird can be identified by its deep pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill. They can be found wading in shallow water looking for food.

Texas
Ocelot

A Texas Ocelot lying down
Texas Ocelot

The endangered Ocelot is slightly larger than a housecat. It is estimated that there are only about 50 left in the United States.

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle lying in the sand
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

This most endangered and smallest sea turtle species is the Texas state turtle and nests on the state’s sandy barrier islands.

State Flower
The state flower of Texas is the Bluebonnet.
State Bird
The state bird of Texas is the Northern Mockingbird.
STATE SMALL MAMMAL
The state small mammal of Texas is the Armadillo.
Population
About 29 million people call themselves Texans, making it the 2nd most populous state.

Photo by: Jason Weingart