Armadillos to Ziziphus: A Naturalist in the Texas Hill Country

by David M. Hillis, Harry W. Greene (Foreword)

A collection of essays on the ecology, biodiversity, and restoration of the Texas Hill Country.

For most of five decades, evolutionary biologist David Hillis has studied the biodiversity of the Texas Hill Country. Since the 1990s, he has worked to restore the natural beauty and diversity of his Mason County ranch, the Double Helix. In his excursions around his ranch and across the Edwards Plateau, Hillis came to realize how little most people know about the plants and animals around them or their importance to our everyday lives. He began thinking about how natural history is connected to our enjoyment of life, especially in a place as beautiful and beloved as the Hill Country, which, not coincidentally, happens to be one of the most biodiverse parts of Texas. Featuring short nontechnical essays accompanied by vivid color photos, Armadillos to Ziziphus is a charming and casual introduction to the environment of the region. Whether walking the pasture with his Longhorn cattle, explaining the ecological significance of microscopic organisms in springtime mud puddles, or marveling at the local Ziziphus (aka Lotebush, a spiny shrub), Hillis guides first-time visitors and long-term residents alike in an appreciation for the Hill Country’s natural beauty and diversity.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature

280 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2023

About the author

David Mark Hillis is an American evolutionary biologist, and the Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor of Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. He is best known for his studies of molecular evolution, phylogeny, and vertebrate systematics. He created the popular Hillis Plot depiction of the evolutionary tree of life.

Reviews

[Caterina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous photographs and mostly fascinating short essays about the natural world -- so many new-to-me creatures and phenomena, and advice applicable beyond the Hill Country for making a better world for both its human and non-human inhabitants.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little essays about the natural history of the Hill Country. Very much written for a lay audience, but it’s possible to explore topics in depth while writing accessibly and I wish that was done here. The section on climate change action is tepidly focused on individual impacts. Recommend if you’re looking for an introduction to neat nature stuff in the Hill Country or a jumping off point for further learning.

[Aaron Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming love letter to the Texas Hill Country from one of its most ardent aficionados. Hillis is an evolutionary biologist with impeccable local bona fides: he helped name the Austin blind salamander Eurycea waterlooensis, which lives in Barton Springs along with its slightly more famous cousin Eurycea sosorum (named after the famous Save Our Springs ordinance). He lives out in the Hill Country at the Double Helix Ranch near Johnson City raising Texas longhorns, so Central Texas is not merely an academic interest for him. He chronicles the flora, fauna, climate, rocks, and rivers of the Hill Country, going into entertaining explorations of each and dropping interesting knowledge of our complex ecology on every page while also highlighting how threats like climate change might manifest. Nothing will give you a more direct appreciation of the Edwards Plateau (titled thus after Haden Edwards, a settler of Mexican Texas who declared the Republic of Fredonia) than exploring it in person, but even a native Austinite like myself learned a lot about everything from armadillos (which did not arrive in Texas from their native South America until the 1800s) to the ziziphus (a spiny fruit-bearing bush which quail nest in) from this loving tribute to one of the most beautiful and fascinating environments in America.

More on Hillis and the salamanders: https://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/ant...

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and inspiring book for residents and visitors of the Texas Hill Country. Hillis’ perspective as a scientist, rancher, and outdoorsman makes him a well rounded guide to human-nature interaction.

[Jeff Ragan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and informative perspective on the tremendous and beautiful bio-diversity of the Texas Hill Country. The last few chapters get a little bit sermon-y about global warming and such, but even that is pretty tastefully done.

[Meredith Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that I plan to pick up again and again throughout my life!! David did a wonderful breakdown of the most important and interesting elements of the Texas Hill Country and gave me even more encouragement to work to help and protect out planet in any way that I can!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in our Texas Hill Country and/or concerned about its future, you should read this book. It’s a naturalist’s delight!

[Laura Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommended for anyone interested in the natural world of Texas

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is a pleasure to read; so well written, organized, and illustrated. Even If you already love the Texas Hill Country, this book will enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the area.