Did you know baby armadillo are named "kits." Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Although this nine banded armadillo has poor vision, it is an excellent swimmer and can hold its breath for up to six minutes! Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Armadillo skin starts off pink and leathery, after several weeks their skin ossifies into armor. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

UHCL has many beautiful wooden bridges that make traversing the wetlands fun and exciting, surrounding you in nature. The entrance to the wetlands is next to the visitor parking lot. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The wetlands are valuable as they clean water, reduce flood risks and provide a new home to all life both large and small like this striking scarlet dragonfly. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This red-eared sliding turtle can live up to 30 years and can weigh up to 8lbs at about 12in long. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

At night many species of turtle actually rest on the bottom of ponds and lakes, then they use their inflated throat as a floatation aid to help them rise in the morning. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Just one acre of wetland can store up to 1.5 million gallons of water, they function like a natural sponge releasing and soaking up water. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Cattails plants like these provide a safe haven for tiny fish and attract other aquatic life, some that birds and other wildlife feed on helping continue the circle of life. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Wetlands like these are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs! Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The campus has many beautiful landscapes around Armand Bayou and many opportunities to enjoy nature and breathe in some fresh air. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This Gulf fritillary butterfly goes by many names including the passion butterfly and the longwing butterfly. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz

While exploring there are many trails that take you off the beaten path. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

UHCL is home to many mule deer around campus. They can live up to 15 years and can reach speeds as fast as 40 mph when running. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Female mule deer can give birth to two fawns each year, born usually from April through June. They are born with their eyes open and fully furred. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This male mule deer will loose and regrow his antlers every year. They start as nubs in April and are fully matured by August. Soon this buck will shed his velvet (the fur or fuzz on newly growing antler) by rubbing his antlers against trees and brush. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Deer have no upper teeth, only a hard palate for chewing. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This herd of mule deer can be identified by its larger than normal ears and the small black tip on their tails. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Even fallen/dead trees are home to many organisms and lifeforms that contribute to the ecosystem even when they themselves have died. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This tree fungus look similar to the white puffball mushroom (Please DO NOT eat any wild mushroom without proper identification and supervision). Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This Shelf fungus grows on many trees around campus and comes in all sorts of shapes, textures, and colors. (Please DO NOT eat any wild mushroom without proper identification and supervision). Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The Lingzhi or Reishi mushroom are a type of bracket mushroom that if identified, harvested and prepared correctly is said to be very medicinal. (Please DO NOT eat any wild mushroom without proper identification and supervision). Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The Ganoderma Curtisii makes its home on forest floors and decaying trees. (Please DO NOT eat any wild mushroom without proper identification and supervision). Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This specimen looks similar to the Cinnabar polypore or orange shelf mushroom. (Please DO NOT eat any wild mushroom without proper identification and supervision). Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Our campus is home to many eastern gray squirrel. A group of squirrels are called a "scurry" and their sense of smell is so good they can smell a buried acorn under a foot of snow or dirt. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The Clear Lake water tower watches over Potter pond and its Great Egret visitor; Egrets can reach a flight speed of 25 mph. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

This bench sits right in front of potter pond. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

Potter pond is named after UHCL alumna Patricia Potter Wilson. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

One of the loudest insects on the planet, this young cicada bides its time until it is ready to shed its exoskeleton and take flight. In many places around the world cicadas are eaten as a tasty treat, with females being prized for being more "meaty.". Photo by The Signal Xavier Munoz.

Entrance to the Serenity garden. It is "Dedicated to all who dream of fulfilling their potential through learning and reflecting while loving our natural space.". Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The brown diamondback anole lizards mating season lasts from March to October and females can produce over 16 eggs in a single clutch every season. Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.

The nature preserve around campus is vast and home to many fauna, insects, birds, and mammals so now it is your turn go out and see them! Photo by The Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.