Texas Natural Science Center

I observed many exhibits that focused on creatures that are “Texan” dating back millions of years. It was interesting learning all about the history and creatures all the way back to the beginning of existence. I also learned more about what it means to be a Texan while observing the exhibits. I also found it very interesting to expand our view of leadership not only to people, but to all past living creatures that inhabited Texas.

The first exhibit that stood out to me was the Texas Pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever discovered. It was found in 1971 by Doug Lawson and lived in what is now the Big Bend National Park in West Texas about 65 million years ago. The Texas Pterosaur’s wingspan was about 40 feet. The discovery of the Texas Pterosaur is one of the most famous finding in the history of paleontology. The findings of the Texas Pterosaur show how the creature was a prominent figure in Texas back in history. I believe this defines what it is to be a Texan. Speaking for myself, I hope to be a prominent figure who influences others and has a successful life. I believe this is a common ideal throughout our great state of Texas.


There was another exhibit about Texas Critters, things that exist in our everyday lives. There are about 30,000 species of insects in Texas including beetles, butterflies, and moths. The majority of these insect species is harmless and forms a natural part of our environment. The insects are the most diverse terrestrial animals on Earth. Insects are also very multifunctional. They pollinate crops, produce honey and many other important substances, serve as laboratory animals, and teach us many things about our environment. I also visited an exhibit on the fourth floor of the science museum that focused on the variety of fish species that exist in Texas. Different fish types lived in West Texas, Central Texas, East Texas, and the Gulf Coast. The wide array of types and roles of insects and fish illustrates another important aspect of what it means to me to be a Texan. Texas has a huge population and a wide variety of diversity. Texans also perform a wide variety of jobs that help our society continue to thrive.

On the fourth floor of the science museum, there were many exhibits that displayed many other creatures in Texas. For instance, Ringtails are close relatives of the raccoon and are excellent climbers due to the fact that their hind feet can be rotated outward 180 degrees. The Muskrat is a large aquatic rodent with partially webbed hind feet. They live in marshy areas where they build dome-shaped houses out of vegetation. Raccoons are other creatures prominent in Texas that live statewide, especially in wooded areas near water. Raccoons spend their time in their dens, made in a variety of places. Northern River Otter s are sociable carnivores that inhabit aquatic habitats in the pine forests of East Texas and coastal prairies and marshes. They hunt along river banks or underwater at night for fish, crayfish, mollusks, amphibians, and other small animals. All these animals have specific characteristics and utilize their characteristics to do the best they can in society. They use their characteristics to succeed in what they are best at and to find food to survive. This determination and creativity is another factor that makes up what it means to be a Texan and a leader. In order to succeed as individuals in Texas, we need to make the best of the resources given to us. We must have the determination and creativity to accomplish what we want with the limited resources we have. This is a process leaders must partake in as well.

In conclusion, I learned many things during our visit to the Texas Natural Science Center. Not only was I able to learn about the history of creatures in our state, but many things about these creatures that demonstrate what it means to be a Texan and a leader in the lone star state.

*first picture: the Texas Pterosaur, Texas Natural Science Center
*second picture: variety of insects in Texas, Texas Natural Science Center
*third picture: exhibit on the fish in Texas, Texas Natural Science Center
*fourth picture: Halls of Texas Wildlife fourth floor, Texas Natural Science Center