Guardians of the Aquifer: Meet the Beetles
Watch: The Comal Springs Riffle Beetle (3:58 mins)
Olivia Ybarra, Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinator, explains the concept of indicator species and why the Riffle Beetle is so important to the Edwards Aquifer.Vocabulary
Endangered Species
Any species at risk of going extinct.
Extinct Species
When a species no longer exists on earth, having suffered an extinction.
Threatened Species
A species that is vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.
Habitat
The natural environment in which a species, or group of species, lives.
Species
A group of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other and capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
Learn More
GET INVOLVED
Visit the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s Habitat Conservation team’s plan and see how you can get involved.
READ
Protecting the environment of the beetles requires a partnership between government and people; read a sample press-release authorizing the official protection for this habitat.
STUDY
The Fish and Wildlife Service also study these critters and have created fact sheets.
PODCAST
Videos
Activities
Draw The Riffle Beetle
Color Reina the Riffle Beetle
Comal Springs Riffle Beetles only grow to about 0.02 cm. That’s about the size of a strawberry seed!
My, How You’ve Changed
Try your hand at creating a creature with adaptations designed only for the environment YOU create in your mind. This download will guide you through a 2-D and 3-D creation.