Wildlife Spotting in Valley Ranch

Valley Ranch residents aren’t only of the human variety – lots of mammals, birds, reptiles and other diverse wildlife populate our Irving, Texas, community. It seems Valley Ranch residents of all kinds appreciate our 5.5 miles of canals and waterways, as they’ve become popular green spaces for humans and wildlife alike.

IFCD 3 works diligently to protect the wildlife in and around our waterways in collaboration with the City of Irving, Valley Ranch Association, Keep Irving Beautiful, the Valley Ranch Green Club and other community partners.

We’ve rounded up some of the most common creatures found in Valley Ranch. Scroll through to get to know your neighbors!

Valley Ranch’s Wildlife Residents

Opossums

Easy to identify, opossums are often found balancing on fence lines or climbing trees. Opossums are immune to venom from snakes and other dangerous animals, and they respond to danger by fainting, which is why people think they “play dead.”

Bats

Although quite scary looking, bats are helpful hunters in Valley Ranch. They eat flying insects such as mosquitoes, beetles and moths. The Mexican Free-tailed Bat, also known as the Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, is the most common bat species in Texas.

Coyotes

Increased urban development has forced coyotes to adapt to living in more heavily populated areas, including Valley Ranch. Urban coyotes are most visible during mating season (mid-January to early March). Residents should remain alert and steer clear of coyotes, especially on trails and along green spaces.

Mallard Ducks

Known to sit along the top of IFCD 3’s waterways, mallard ducks are one of the most frequent visitors to our canals and ponds. They’re also one of the oldest types of ducks in existence.

Turtles

Many species of turtles live in and along our waterways, including the Ornate Box Turtle, the Three-toed Box Turtle and the Mississippi Map Turtle. These reptiles love to bask in the sun on rocks, only to slip back into the water when humans walk by.

Squirrels

One of the most common mammals in Valley Ranch, squirrels can be seen climbing trees, munching on food and scurrying across pathways. Did you know they sometimes pretend to bury their food to trick potential thieves? 

Moles

Look for conical mounds of dirt for signs of the Eastern Mole, which spends most of its time burrowing. A gardener’s nemesis, these pesky animals will tear up lawns by digging elaborate underground tunnels in search of bugs to eat.

Feral Hogs

Also known as wild pigs, feral hogs can cause costly damage to residential lawns and community green spaces. Earlier this year, IFCD 3 installed a new gate at Champions Park to deter feral hogs from entering the adjacent neighborhood.

Armadillos

These barrel-shaped animals have a natural layer of armor that protects them from predators. Somewhat of a Texas icon, the Nine-banded Armadillo is the official small mammal of the Lone Star State.

Curious about the wildlife living in and among the waterways of Valley Ranch? Get the facts from Texas wildlife experts at the free resources linked below.

Fact Sheets: Valley Ranch Wildlife

• Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

• Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

• Coyote (Canis latrans), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

• Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

• Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

• Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus), Texas Tech Natural Science Research Laboratory

• Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

• Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

If you encounter wildlife in the community, be sure to maintain a safe distance and report the sighting to the City of Irving Animal Control at (972) 721-2256.

To stay up to date on IFCD 3’s latest activities and  learn more about our projects, follow us on X/Twitter and Facebook. Plus, explore our Waterways blog for more on how our team manages flood control in Valley Ranch.