Among the notable wildlife recorded this summer, we are privileged to watch as bobcat kittens, a mountain lion cub and a spotted fawn grow and mature.

New bobcat family in the canyon.

Puma family saga

It is not new news that mountain lions are regulars in the canyon. They have lived in the area long before the first peoples came to California. My cameras have watched the wildlife in this canyon for only five years—a brief minute when compared to the length of time pumas have lived here.  Until this year, they have documented only solitary lions, never family groups or pairings. This year it is different. For the first time since the cams have peeked into the lives of the inhabitants, the canyon is fortunate to host a small puma family composed of a female along with her one cub. The pair has been captured on film almost every month since February. The first glimpse I saw of the little family was when the cub was around three months old.

Youngsters stick with their mums until they are between 18-24 months old. Then they disperse, searching for their own territories. Puma moms have difficult jobs. It is not an easy task to teach their young ones’ important survival skills. Living solitary lives, they must protect, hunt and raise the cubs without help. Unlike our local coyotes, mountain lions do not live peacefully with each other; they don’t live in packs and they don’t hunt cooperatively. Nor do adults willingly share their meals with conspecifics, but there are exceptions.

The puma mom is doing a good job. As her cub matures, she gives him more independence. One indication of this is her increasing the distance between them. But she is always nearby, ready to intervene, just in case there is danger.

The most recent appearance of the little family was in June, filmed at the rim of the canyon.

Video courtesy of Eric Cheng

Bobcat soap opera

At least two litters of bobcats were born this year, probably from two different females. Usually, bobcats only have one litter a year. The kittens stay with their mums until they’re between eight to twelve months old and then disperse². Early this year three adorable bob kittens were recorded almost every day, playing with each other and annoying their mother. Although one of the babies had only one eye, he seemed to manage as well as his siblings.

Early this summer a new bob family was recorded in the canyon. The mom seems young; she may have been born about 18 months ago and possibly is the daughter of the female who, for at least four years, has claimed parts of the canyon as her core territory. Based on her behavior with the kittens, I’m guessing that this litter is a first for this girl. She doesn’t seem quite as vigilant as the older, experienced bobcat mum. Although she keeps track of the youngsters, they are a distance from her. Also, she only has two kittens. Young, first time mothers usually have fewer kittens then older females.³

The first time the babies were caught on film they were young, barely two months old. Mom may have been moving her little family to a new den. Kittens are frequently relocated, more when they are neonates, sometimes as often as every day to every few days. As they age they are moved less often. Predators also determine when it is time for a change of address⁴ because the little ones are vulnerable to predation by coyotes, raptors, puma and even male bobcats. The smell of the dens and the sounds of the kittens attract them.

The first time the babies were filmed, they may have been almost weaned, new graduates from the milk bar and barely getting accustomed to a meat diet. Around this time, they also start to learn to hunt. Bobcat moms have their work cut out for them: there are many mandatory survival skills these babies must learn in order to make it in a dangerous and competitive environment.

Mom is doing something right. Both kittens have survived another month—a hard task for a single mom. The little ones have grown and appear to be thriving. I love watching their immediate responses when their mom calls them. We definitely will keep a vigilant eye on those youngsters.

The camera at the fork in the trail is positioned at a popular spot for bobcats. Bobcats, like most felids live mostly solitary lives, they usually don’t socialize with other conspecifics unless they are juveniles ready to disperse, adults looking for mates or a queen raising kittens.

Coyote reality show

Coyote 09M was the canyon star for a few years. He was a joy to watch as he played and interacted with his mate and gamboled on the trail. 09M had a distinctive personality that showed through in the hundreds of videos of him.  The cameras lost track of him two years ago. Since he disappeared several coyotes have been filmed. None stayed for the length of time 09M did. While that boy lived in the canyon, he took a mate and produced at least two litters of adorable pups.

A bonded pair of young coyotes began hanging out in the canyon a few months ago. Tragically, the male was badly injured in July and lost a foot.  We can only guess the initial event—he could have gotten his foot caught in a trap or he may have been bitten by a rattlesnake. It is one of many wildlife mysteries that probably will never be solved. It is difficult for coyotes to successfully hunt when injured to that degree—sadly the survival rate is low. Now, only the female has been spotted.

Deer tales

There is a smorgasbord of vegetation for the deer to dine on in the canyon—a major attractant for a doe and her fawn. The two have found plenty to munch on, especially next to the creek, directly in front of one of my cameras.

In contrast to the bobs and lions, deer are highly social, and hang together in herds. There is safety in numbers—herds give deer some protection against coyotes and mountain lions. The characteristic of individual herds vary and are dependent on the ages, gender, familial ties as well as the season. Bucks group themselves in “bachelor groups” in the spring, but then become rivals when competing for the attentions of the does. Bachelor groups usually have three to six individuals in them. Ours has five members.

Wildlife dramas continue

The wildlife soap opera continues and because of technology, we are fortunate to be able to catch fleeting, 20 second glimpses into the fascinating lives of the canyon animals. It’s wonderful to watch as they live out their lives, hunting, playing and interacting with each other.  The cameras also play an important part in monitoring the behavior changes of our wild inhabitants caused by the pressures of urbanization and the fragmenting of their habitats.

1. Three to four trail cameras have been filming wildlife and human activity in an undeveloped 88 acre canyon for almost five years.  This canyon is surrounded by businesses, roads and homes. Footage from the cams document behaviors of the suburban wildlife being impacted by the pressures of urbanization.
2. Hanson, Kevin. Bobcat Master of Survival. 2007. Oxford University Press.
3. 4. Sunquist and Sunquist. Wildcats of the World. 2002. University of Chicago Press

Marilyn is a certified cat behavior consultant (The Cat Coach, LLC). Not surprisingly, she’s fascinated by feline behaviors. This started with household cats and then after witnessing a puma being killed a few blocks from her home in the suburbs, expanded to include local mountain lions and bobcats. A few years after the tragedy, she joined the Bay Area Puma Project/Felidae Conservation Fund, maintaining trail cameras, writing and helping wherever she can. Her focus is on how urbanization is affecting apex predators’ behaviors.

She is also an author and educator. Her book Naughty No More! focuses on solving cat behavior issues through clicker training, environmental changes as well as other positive reinforcement techniques. She gives presentations throughout the United States as well as writes columns and articles for a variety of venues. She is also frequently interviewed for podcasts, print and on line publications. Additionally Marilyn is a frequent guest on television and radio and has appeared, along with her Bengals and Savannah Cat on Animal Planet , CBS, ABC, KGO and others.

The post Summer Time Wildlife Dramas appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Wolf or fat coyote? Picture by Marilyn Krieger

Most of the alleged wolf sightings are not confirmed with photos and videos, but some are. A few people sent me pictures and my trail cameras snapped a series of excellent videos of one of these large canids.

Wolf reports

As it turns out, I’m not the only one who has been contacted about “wolves” roaming the bay area. I checked with Jonathan Young, the wildlife ecologist, at the Presidio Trust in San Francisco who specializes in coyotes and Kent Laudon, the Senior Environmental Scientist, wolf specialist for the California Dept of Fish and Wildlife. Both scientists told me they’ve received reports of sightings of wolves and giant coyotes. Young wrote me that he’s gotten calls and e-mails from locals, claiming that there are wolves and German shepherd sized coyotes in the city that weight at least 100lbs. One San Franciscan wrote him “it was certainly a wolf that I saw, believe me, I have a vacation cabin in Montana, I know wolves.” Despite these reports, Young said that coyotes are surprisingly light-weight. A few years ago he weighed a female who tipped the scale at 34 pounds. Although there aren’t many pictures accompanying the wolf and giant coyote claims, someone in SF posted a picture of one on the Nextdoor social media platform, titling it the Wolf of McLaren Park.

Wolf or fat coyote?—photographer prefers to remain anonymous

Remember the woman on her way home from the board meeting who told me that she saw a wolf disappearing into the canyon? Fortunately, he and his mate trotted by my trail cameras, triggering a series of videos. He looks out of place next to his mate, who is a typical-looking, lanky, leggy coyote. He’s large, solid and kind of fat—she is diminutive in comparison to him. He could easily be mistaken for a large German shepherd or a wolf or a hybrid until you see his face and snout.

People from all over California contact Laudon, claiming they’ve seen wolves. He always checks the reports and has found that 99% of the sightings are not wolves—they’re coyotes or dogs. But, what about the other 1%?

99% of the sightings are not wolves—they’re coyotes or dogs. Picture courtesy of Kent Laudon

Wolves in California

Grey wolves are historically native to California—they lived here until they were hunted to extinction for sport and to control predation. The last known grey wolf in California was trapped and killed in Lassen County in 1924. Lassen County is a long way from San Mateo County. Did wolves live in the bay area? It is believed that they once were here. Based on anecdotal evidence from explorers in the 1800s, wolves inhabited the coastal ranges, the central valley and the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Wolf. Photo by Patrice Schoefolt from Pexels

There hadn’t been wolf sightings in California for almost 100 years. That changed in 2011, when a wolf, fitted with a radio collar and named OR-7 dispersed from his natal pack in northeastern Oregon into our state. He was the first known wolf to venture into California, travelling as far south as Tehama, Shasta, and Butte Counties.

Since 2011 there have been a handful of other wolves who have gone on walkabouts into California, seeking mates, traveling thousands of miles in pursuit of love. A recent and well-publicized traveler was OR-93, he was the first wolf in 200 years to be seen as far south as San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. His impressive 1,000 mile journey ended tragically on November 10, 2021, when he was killed by a car on Interstate Highway 5.

OR-93 traveled down to the central coast. Photo courtesy of Kent Laudon, California Fish & Wildlife

Although wolves are gradually dispersing back into California, they have not made it to the Bay Area and they probably won’t. According to Laudon, they are forced to make a hard stop at the highways, notably I5 and I80.

Hybrids? Wolves or Fat Coyotes?

Is it possible that our local, oversized, super coyotes are hybrids? Did over-amorous dogs and coyotes have liaisons? Laudon says that there is no DNA evidence of hybridization occurring in the West between dogs and coyotes or between wolves and coyotes. Additionally, wolf and coyote encounters do not bode well for coyotes. Wolves do not tolerate coyotes—they kill them. It’s in the best interests of coyotes to avoid wolves¹.

Fat coyotes in winter coats

Wolves, coydogs or coywolves have not moved into the neighborhoods. The huskier, solid-looking canids that people are seeing are our familiar coyotes—they are well nourished and have grown thick insulating winter coats. One theory about why our coyotes are looking larger than their usual svelte, lean selves could be weather/temperature related. California has been in a drought for years. Until this winter, the coyotes that cruise the neighborhoods have been lank and leggy. It’s been a long time since coyotes have been seen with thick winter coats. This year is different—California has been drenched with rain and it’s cold. Laudon also thinks that there’s a psychological component to the sightings, that people wanting to see wolves, mis-identify the well-padded coyotes as wolves.

Local coyotes have become accustomed to sharing the neighborhoods with humans. Although they typically avoid people, they are sometimes spotted during the day, trotting down the street, looking for food and mates. It is easy for them to find nourishing food in our urban and suburban environments. Coyotes are efficient ratters, but being opportunistic eaters, they also eat garbage, fruit, dog food, cat food and unfortunately, they can target dogs and cats². It’s common to see coyotes in the neighborhoods—most look well nourished and they’re sporting thick, insulating winter coats³.

1. It’s a different story for the eastern coyote. Javier Monzon, an evolutionary biologist analyzed the DNA of 437 eastern coyotes and found that 64% of the eastern coyote’s genome is coyote (Canis latrans), 13% gray wolf (Canis lupus), 13% Eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), and 10% dog (Canis familiaris).
2. Living on the on the wildland-urban interface in the Bay Area means that residents need to expect that coyotes and other native wildlife will periodically be seen in our neighborhoods. Take proper measures to protect your pets and hobby animals. Keep your pets safe indoors. When walking dogs, walk them on a leash. Cats should not be allowed outside—the exceptions are enclosures and catios.
3. Thank you Zara McDonald for fact checking and proofing. Thank you Kent Laudon and Jonathan Young for answering my incessant questions and for fact checking. 

Marilyn is a certified cat behavior consultant (The Cat Coach, LLC) and author Not surprisingly, she’s fascinated by feline behaviors. This started with household cats and then after witnessing a puma being killed a few blocks from her home in the suburbs, expanded to include local mountain lions and bobcats. A few years after the tragedy, she joined the Bay Area Puma Project/Felidae Conservation Fund, maintaining trail cameras, writing and helping wherever she can. Her focus is on how urbanization is affecting apex predators’ behaviors.

Join Marilyn for lively discussions about all things feline on her Facebook page: The Cat Coach.

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Coyote 09M is easily recognized by his red ear tags.

Despite having a high mortality rate, coyotes can survive in just about any environment. The secret to their success is their high intelligence, the ability to quickly adjust to situations and being opportunistic omnivores. Some individuals seldom make public appearances while others are bold, cruising busy, populated streets looking for food. 09M, our resident coyote is not an exception. Since he made the canyon his home, he’s been shy, never making public appearances, carefully avoiding people. His MO changed in the last month.

News about Coyote 09M’s natal family

Coyote 09M is a survivor. Around 3 years ago he was born in The Presidio in San Francisco, and along with his siblings and mom was tagged and fitted with a GPS collar. He quickly learned the skills necessary for living in an urban environment and traveled 35 miles down the peninsula without becoming a vehicular victim. He crossed busy roads and highways and finally settled in my favorite little canyon where he’s thrived for almost two years.

He is now the only confirmed surviving member of his natal coyote family. Last summer, there was an unconfirmed sighting of 10F, his sister, in the southeast sector of the city. His dad was killed in July of 2019 and sadly, last week his mum was found in Pacifica, a town on the coast. She was forced from The Presidio because another female coyote challenged and won her home territory. Sadly she didn’t have the same car smarts her son has.

There was an unconfirmed sighting of 10F, Coyote 09M’s sister

Coyote 09M is not alone

09M is thriving in the canyon—although it’s only 93 acres, there’s plenty of food, water and cover. And, he’s now in a committed relationship with a lovely, healthy female coyote. Coyotes mate for life, forming cooperative partnerships. We have tons of footage of 09M and his mate hunting, eating, playing and loving together. Based on the videos, they’ve had at least one litter of pups.

Recent encounter with people

09M usually maintains a cloak of invisibility on the trail. Until recently, he was seldom seen. I have been fortunate to occasionally catch a fleeting glimpse of him as he blends into the brush. The neighbors who live at the rim of the canyon and the staff at the nearby school sometimes hear him and his mate vocalizing. Once he followed me on my weekly camera checks. Although I didn’t see him, the cams recorded him sniffing the cameras and urinating next to them a minute or so after I checked them.

There’s been a recent change in 09M’s behavior. I hope it’s temporary. People have seen him during the day. One family’s accidental meeting with 09M is caught on camera. I’m not sure what prompted the change in his behavior. Perhaps his mate is in estrus. Another possibility is that he’s guarding a deer carcass. Two leashed dogs who accompanied the family may have also contributed to 09M’s behavior—perhaps he saw them as competition for the remains of the carcass.

The camera filmed the whole thing. Turn up the sound on your device. The camera is focused on 09M standing in the middle of the trail when the family spots him. They yelled and made a loud ruckus to scare him. 09M is seen licking his muzzle, indicating stress. He jumps away, runs up the trail and then down the bank. The walkers did everything right—it’s vital that coyotes remain fearful of people

Keep Coyote 09M and his relatives wild

Coyote 09M isn’t the only coyote who has a bold streak. Neighborhood on-line groups post sightings of urban coyotes every day. Although they are important for keeping rats in check, they should be discouraged from coming close to people and domestic animals.  If you happen to see Coyote 09M, easily identified by one red ear plug, or you see his relatives, scare them away. Scream, yell, jump and make a loud ruckus so they keep their distance. It’s also mandatory that when enjoying our open spaces that dogs are always kept leashed. Don’t let them run free in the wild places and open spaces. In addition to keeping dogs safe, it helps keep the other wild residents safe and the environment clean. Never encourage coyotes to hang around—clean up the garbage, pick up the pet food. Keep them wild—it’s for their safety.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, The Cat Coach and author of Naughty No More! helps solve cat behavior challenges nationally and internationally through on site and remote consultations. Her fascination with cat behaviors began with household cats and quickly expanded to wild felids.

Marilyn enjoys educating people about cat behavior. She gives presentations throughout the United States as well as writes columns and articles for a variety of venues. Additionally Marilyn is a frequent guest on television and radio. She has appeared, along with her Bengals and Savannah Cat on Animal Planet, CBS,  ABC, KGO and others.

Join Marilyn for lively discussions about all things felid on her Facebook page

The post The Latest News about Coyote 09M appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Despite the canyon being only 93 acres, hemmed in by homes and roads, it’s a complete eco-system where plants and animals are interdependent. The death of one organism means many others will live. The lesson hit home a couple of weeks ago when a small deer was killed by a predator. For 2 weeks, we aimed a trail camera at the carcass to see who benefited from the kill.  Although sad, the deer helped sustain life in the canyon, feeding a variety of wildlife including coyotes, vultures, crows and others.

The carcass provided meals for many hungry animals, including stunning vultures, crows and other raptors. Check out the impressive wings on this vulture—beautiful bird.

Most likely, Coyote 09M and his mate killed the deer. They frequently showed up over a span of 10 days to eat. Although sad, the doe’s death was not in vain.

Humor and frustration on the trail

There were also some light hearted moments in the canyon this month—mostly provided by the deer.

One of the resident bucks is dressed for the season—the first thing that caught my attention was his looking through the hole in the leaf that covered his eye. In addition to this plant bedecked boy, the cameras caught another buck with moss stuck between his antlers. Although I don’t know a lot about the amorous activities of deer, I know it’s rutting season. I’m guessing that he’s a bit frustrated and may be venting by slamming into vegetation. This video was filmed after he was rebuffed by a doe he was relentlessly pursuing.  Or, perhaps he’s using the local vegetation to scratch off the itchy velvet on his horns.

Buck #2 with moss on his head.

Taking a rest—right in front of the camera.

Wildlife highlights: deer ears

Check out these ears.

Wildlife highlights: deer nose

This post wouldn’t be complete without an ungulate’s nose.

The usual cast of characters

There are other wildlife highlights this month that are worth mentioning.

Coyote 09M and mate

09M and his mate are stunning. If it wasn’t for the shape of 09M’s mate’s snout and her tail, it’s easy to see how at first glance, she might be mistaken for a German Shepherd Dog. Someone recently posted on a neighborhood list about a loose GSD. I wonder if this is who she saw.

Foxes

What a treat—two foxes! The cams, rarely filming them in the canyon, recorded them 6 times in the last 2 weeks. Typically, foxes avoid areas where there are coyotes. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the last couple of weeks the coyotes haven’t been caught by the main cameras. They’ve been hanging out near the carcass and in an area where there is an abundance of rabbits.

Bobcats

Is she pregnant or maybe she just had a full meal?

A highly photogenic bobcat.

The first few weeks of October were full of wildlife highlights worthy of posting. I hope that the last week will be as active. After checking the cameras, I left special Halloween non-food enrichment presents for the animals to find.

Marilyn Krieger, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (The Cat Coach, LLC® ) and author of Naughty No More! helps solve cat behavior challenges nationally and internationally through on site and remote consultations. Her fascination with cat behaviors began with household cats and quickly expanded to include wild felids.

Marilyn enjoys educating people about cat behavior. She gives presentations throughout the United States as well as writes columns and articles for a variety of venues. Additionally Marilyn is a frequent guest on television and radio. She has appeared, along with her Bengals and Savannah Cat on Animal Planet, CBS,  ABC, KGO and others.

Join Marilyn for lively discussions about all things felid on her Facebook page

The post Wildlife Highlights from the Canyon appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Mountain lion

This large male puma is a regular visitor to the canyon–he shows up about every two to three months. This time he didn’t stick around very long.

He usually stays in the canyon for a few days after he’s killed a deer. Typically, mountain lions cache their meals, covering them with leaves and debris and then return to eat them over a period of a few days.

Not too long after our cameras filmed these videos, a lion was found on the freeway above the canyon. I worried that it was him–it wasn’t. Although I’m thankful, I’m also sad.

Coyote 09M

09M hasn’t been filmed for a few weeks, for that matter, no coyotes have been caught on camera. I’m glad to see he’s still around. I think he’s favoring the open space over the canyon now because there are more rabbits there.

Deer

Neat video of one of the resident does framed by a garden spider and web. A rabbit behind her caught her attention.

Bobcats

We continue to get some great footage of the local bobcats.

Additional Bay Area Puma Project cameras

I just signed on to monitor wildlife cameras in two more locations. Both places are rich in a variety of wildlife. Unlike the canyon trail, very few people are able to access these places—keys and codes are needed. These places are special—they are seldom visited by humans so the animals don’t have to adjust their schedules in order to avoid people.

Mountain lion

Nice picture of a mountain lion taking a stroll.

Fox

There are lots of foxes in both of the new locations.

Birds

There seems to be more turkeys around–every year I see more crossing the roads. From what I’ve read, they’re contributing to the demise of our local birds–they raid nests and eat the eggs.

The post September Videos and Pictures appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Along with the reduction in predators, the cameras have only caught a couple of woodrats and rabbits—favorite menu items for coyotes and bobcats.  Hopefully this is just a natural cycle and not a situation influenced by humans.  Wildlife, when left to their own devices, are efficient conservationists. Predators have large territories that include different areas with abundant prey. After chowing down on available prey in one area, they move to another good hunting area in their territories. They don’t eat all of the prey—there are always some that escape the hungry predators, quickly reproducing and repopulating the area over time.

Bobcats

We almost stepped into a pile of poop last week next to the primary camera. Some animal had purposely scraped and defecated in the middle of the trail, marking territory. I thought either a bobcat, fox or a Chihuahua. One of the other cameras cleared up the mystery.

Another way bobcats mark is by spraying. This is a popular spot that bobcats spray almost every time they go by it. This short trail, ends at the edge of the creek next to a clear pool of water.

Check out this bob crossing the busy street during rush hour traffic.

Wow! Impressive canines.

Bobcat walking to the creek

Coyotes

I’m glad to see that 09M is sticking around the canyon. Although the cameras film him frequently, lately, they’ve rarely caught him with his mate. It’s also been about one month since we last recorded the puppies.

Deer

A sharp, loud noise startled this deer. Turn up the sound and listen to the beginning of the video, it sounds like a gun. What do you think?

One of the canyon’s resident deer attempts to cross the busy road. She does this often, but this time is startled back by a car. Good for her, she’s cautious and has street smarts.

The post August, a Visual Essay appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Video courtesy of Felidae Conservation Fund.

There’s an amazing coyote I want you to know about. Meet 09M, a coyote success story. At 2 ½ years old, he’s beaten the odds—he’s survived.  09M is smarter than most coyotes because he’s avoided being killed while crossing dangerous highways and he’s managed to side step injuries and death from predators, diseases and poisons. We know Coyote 09M’s personal story and have followed him because he was collared and tagged with large, red ear tags when he was a pup. His perilous journey has taken him 35 miles from where he was born to my favorite canyon where he’s found a companion.

Coyotes are vilified

Coyote 09M and his relatives are misunderstood. He, along with his coyote kin are the most persecuted predator in the United States. Their bad reputations are due to a few questionable menu choices in their highly, diverse diets. I empathize with pet lovers and ranchers whose household pets and livestock fall prey to coyotes. Despite the bad press, coyotes have many admirable characteristics. They’re smart, extremely adaptable, social and cooperative and they’re excellent parents.

Tagged and Collared

09M traveled a long way before reaching the relative safety of the canyon. He’s a city coyote, born in San Francisco. When he was around six months old, The Presidio Trust tagged and collared him along with three of his siblings and his mum. His dad was cautious and human aware—too smart to be caught. The Presidio Trust tracked the journeys of 09M and his siblings. After one year the tracking collar batteries failed and the collars fell off, leaving only colorful ear tags for identification. The three siblings went on their individual journeys and traveled remarkable distances. Currently, we only know for sure that 09M is alive.

Coyote 09M’s parents. Photo courtesy of The Presidio Trust

Coyotes have a high mortality rate

50-70% of urban coyote pups don’t make it through their first year—cars, predators and poisons take their toll. After that vulnerable first year, they have a 30-40% chance of dying every year. ¹ Unfortunately, 09M’s siblings didn’t disprove the statistics. 08M became a vehicle casualty. His body was found on Highway 101 in January 2019. His sister, 10F, recognizable by her fashionable yellow ear tags, went off radar on the south-east side of the city. Watch for her! Let The Presidio Trust know if you see a coyote with large, circular yellow tags in her ears. We would be overjoyed if, like 09M, she’s found a mate and a place to settle.

Coyote 10F, 09M’s sister. Photo courtesy of The Presidio Trust

Coyotes are survivalists

Despite high mortality rates, coyotes are a successful species, thriving in a variety of environments. The secret to their success lies in their ability to adjust to novel situations, being foodie opportunists and highly intelligent. They live in rural, suburban as well as urban environments and they are flexible eaters, enjoying a wide range of food.

Although they’re predators, coyotes are omnivores. They’re not picky. They relish rodents as well as garbage. Although rats, voles, mice and rabbits are high up on the list of favorite cuisine, coyotes also munch with gusto on veggies and fruit. When available, venison is also on the menu, but since deer are formidable opponents, coyotes hunt them cooperatively with other family members. Unfortunately, coyotes don’t limit their carnivorous tastes to rodents and venison. They’re opportunistic eaters—when presented the chance they will eat household pets and livestock who are relatively easy to catch.

Nomadic life

Many coyotes leave their natal families before their first birthday² . Others stick around awhile longer, helping with their parent’s new litters. 10F, 09M’s sister was frequently filmed at the den site, babysitting the new pups. Since 09M left his family when he was seventeen months old, he might also have had babysitting duties.

09M lived the nomadic life when he dispersed, traveling far from where he was born.  According to his GPS tracking collar, he visited my neighborhood late last year—a journey which took him 35 miles south of the city. After my concerned neighbors caught glimpses of him, they flooded in-boxes with e-mails and alerts about him. Hopefully, his brief visit to the hood was accompanied by a sharp decrease in the rat population.

Coyote 09M’s journey. Courtesy of The Presidio Trust

09M traveled alone for months, until he recently settled in my favorite canyon—a relatively safe place with water, cover and diverse food sources. Based on recent footage from the wildlife cameras, he now has a companion.

Family and social life

Coyotes are known to be monogamous, hanging with the same mate for years, often for their whole life. And, they are family-centric. The survival of the young ones depends on both parents caring for them. Mom nurses the pups while dad hunts and brings them food. 09M and his mate may soon be parents.

Coyote 09M when he was a pup, courtesy of The Presidio Trust

Coyotes are territorial

He wasn’t the first coyote to settle down in the canyon. There used to be another bonded pair who lived there before 09M claimed it. Our cameras filmed them for a year until they disappeared a couple of weeks before 09M showed up. It’s a mystery we will probably never solve.

His territory, fragmented by roads, highways, buildings and other trappings of civilization is tiny compared to his rural cousins. Because so much food is available, he, like other urban edge coyotes don’t need large territories.

Portrait of Coyote 09M when he was a pup, courtesy of The Presidio Trust

Coyotes are our neighbors

Urban edge coyotes are heavily influenced by the proximity of humans. Schedules, food, and territory sizes and locations revolve around people. Although coyotes live in the urban green zones, they prefer not to encounter people. When human activity slows down or stops, coyotes are out and about. Instead of hunting at dusk like their rural cousins do, city coyotes shift their meal schedules to late nights and early mornings when people sleep. These are also times when there are fewer cars to dodge. 09M is no exception. Although our cameras have filmed him at all hours, he’s wary of humans and vehicles. He’s quick to run at the slightest indication of a person lumbering down the trail and he skirts around busy roads.

09M is smarter than most coyotes. He has street smarts, successfully crossing the road that borders the canyon. He chooses wisely, making the dangerous crossing when there are no cars in sight or within ear shot. Our cameras have caught him hesitating, making false starts and then finally darting across. Coyotes who don’t have street smarts don’t live long.

Keep safe around coyotes

Don’t be surprised if while walking or jogging around the neighborhood you see a coyote. You might even be privileged to catch a glimpse of 09M and his companion as they patrol their territory. Don’t be alarmed, but at the same time be safe. If a coyote approaches, stand tall, yell, scare him/her away—don’t run away. And although pups are adorable and look approachable, don’t!  If you see them, keep a healthy distance, the parents are probably close by.

Pet lovers can keep their household animals from becoming part of a coyotes’ diet by keeping pets indoors, walking dogs on leashes, not leaving pet food outside, refraining from night time walks and being alert for coyotes as well as avoiding den sites. Coyote parents are understandably protective of their pups and may aggressively chase dogs away.

Coyote 09M and companion

Although, they are an important part of the eco-system and are efficient at reducing the rat population coyotes shouldn’t be encouraged to stay around homes. Never leave food out for them or other animals—they will learn to view people as meal tickets. Appreciate 09M and his cousins from afar and keep them wild—it’s for their own safety. Friendly coyotes don’t survive long around people.

¹ Cartaino, Carol. Myths & Truths about Coyotes. Pg. 175

²Young. dispersing coyotes are called transients and nomads.

Here are some of my sources:

The Presidio Project

Project Coyote

Flores, Coyote America

Long term bonding and monogamy urban coyotes

Environmental factors  influencing occurrence of conflicts coyotes in urban areas

For more information:

Urban Coyote Initiative

Coyote Smarts

Join Marilyn for lively discussions about all things feline on her Facebook page.

Marilyn is a certified cat behavior consultant. Not surprisingly, she’s fascinated by feline behaviors. The fascination started with household cats and then after witnessing a puma being killed a few blocks from her home in the suburbs, expanded to include local mountain lions and bobcats. A few years after the tragedy, she joined the Bay Area Puma Project/Felidae Conservation Fund, maintaining trail cameras, writing and helping wherever she can, while learning how urbanization is affecting the apex predators’ behaviors.

She is also an author and educator. Her book Naughty No More! focuses on solving cat behavior issues through clicker training, environmental changes as well as other positive reinforcement techniques. She gives presentations throughout the United States as well as writes columns and articles for a variety of venues. She is also frequently interviewed for print and on line publications. Additionally Marilyn is a frequent guest on television and radio and has appeared, along with her Bengals and Savannah Cat on Animal Planet, CBS, ABC, KGO and others.

The post City Coyote Moves to the Suburbs appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

It’s not always in the best interests for predators to have unintended encounters with other predators. Meetings can end badly with individuals being hurt and sometimes killed. Predators need ways to define territories, identify family members as well as advertise for mates. And, these communication systems have to work remotely. The messages need to be clear for minutes, hours, sometimes days after being strategically placed.

Sharing a limited area

The little canyon is only 93 acres. Houses at the rim and two busy roads surround the wild area. One of the roads separates the canyon from an expansive, natural habitat that is enclosed by fences. Although predators and ungulates make regular forays back and forth across the road, wildlife has to adjust their behaviors in order to share the limited area in the canyon.

Predators communicate through scent marking

Scent marking is an effective form of communication, broadcasting a variety of messages including when individuals patrol the trail. It helps predators, including bobcats, coyotes and an occasional mountain lion, time share the path with a minimum of unplanned encounters. They mark by spraying, urinating, defecating and scraping in prominent spots. In addition to excrement, felids distribute their scent by scratching objects, face rubbing and head butting.

Scent marking is similar to leaving time-stamped calling cards. Scent glands release pheromones that other animals detect. They broadcast dossiers of information about the markers along with their intentions. In addition to delineating territories, scent identifies individuals, their health, sex, and whether they’re ready to rendezvous with a member of the opposite sex. The freshness of the mark time stamps the visit.

Wildlife kiosk

One of our cameras is positioned to record predators marking at the same site. The wildlife cam is facing a popular wildlife intersection that is frequently visited by multiple species. It captures videos of coyotes, bobcats and domestic dogs sniffing the spot and then leaving their individual calling cards that are detected by the next animal making his/her rounds. Most predators spend time checking the marked spot, but not all leave calling cards.

The camera repeatedly catches the same coyote pair on patrol. They take turns urinating in the same spot. Hours later, a solitary coyote usually checks out the smell and then hurries up the path without marking.  We’ve seen the same behavior from bobcats.

Four to five bobcats frequent the intersection. One male and a female with her two kittens are regularly recorded. The male is typically solitary, whereas the female is often in the company of her kittens, unless she’s hunting. We’ve seen the kittens develop from when they were a couple of months old. The larger kitten has recently become interested in the marked spot. Although he (we are assuming this is a male) hasn’t left his calling card, he thoroughly checks out the scents.

It’s not just the wild animals who are fascinated with the virtual sign post. The trail is popular with people and their dogs. The camera documents dogs sniffing and then urinating over the marks left by their wild coyote cousins and bobcats. People who walk their dogs daily on the trail probably don’t think about why their dogs choose that particular spot to mark.

The scent markings also serve as alerts for animals down the food chain who are potential meals. Even with built-in artillery, this skunk doesn’t stay long. He takes a whiff and makes a quick getaway.

Household predators

Our sweet companion cats engage in many of the same instinctual behaviors that their wild felid cousins do. Scent is important to them as well—they mark for the same reasons and ways their cousins do. In addition to facial rubs, head butting and scratching objects, whole domestic and feral cats will mark with urine and feces (spaying and neutering household cats usually stops them from marking with excreta).

Natural habitats are shrinking. Highways cut through territories, buildings encroach on wild areas. Urbanization has greatly reduced the wild lands that are the homes for many animal species. In order to survive, animals must adjust to the shrinking lands. Predators who are territorial, need to share the land—scent marking is one of the effective ways that they can share the same space, but not necessarily at the same time.

Please check out my Facebook page The Cat Coach.  It’s about all things cat…

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Summer changes

The early summer heat has begun to impact the environment. Although the creek that is adjacent to my favorite trail has dried up, there is another water source nearby that wildlife can easily access. A spring at the base of the trail consistently produces fresh, clear water. And, there still is an abundance of vegetation—food for the deer and resident rodents who in turn attract predators. It may be a different story later in the summer when the vegetation dies off.

Baby animals on the trail

Spring brought with it new life. Many youngsters, such as these skunk kits, are now old enough to accompany their mums on the trail. Although I love being entertained by them, I’m grateful that I can watch them on a computer monitor.

Our wildlife cameras have been fortunate to film deer families, including newborns, fawns and yearlings. It’s delightful to watch these youngsters bopping up the trail.

The deer are plentiful—the majority of wildlife our cameras are filming this month is deer. Camera #2 filmed these three bucks. Note the velvet on their antlers. I am assuming that they are bros.

Deer on the trail. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

Wildlife adjusts to people

People are impacting the wildlife on the trails. Wild animals, including mountain lions and bobcats will go out of their ways to not cross paths with people. They adjust their schedules and routes in order to avoid chance encounters. It’s rare to catch glimpses of felines during the day around well hiked trails—they wait until late at night and before dawn to venture out, those times when humans are usually asleep.

Pumas adjust their schedules in order to avoid people. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

With the days becoming warm and long, camera #4 is filming a pattern. It is capturing videos of people traipsing the path at all hours of the day, including late at night and before dawn, those times when mountain lions and bobcats are the most likely to take advantage of it.  Although there may be other factors involved, such as seasonal cycles, animals appear to be shying away from the trail as it increases in popularity with people. Recently, we’ve only filmed a couple of bobcats late at night and no lions. I suspect that I won’t see the lions again until the fall or winter—I hope I’m wrong. Check out the time stamp on this video.

Daytime activity

The trail joins with another wildlife byway that meanders through a deep canyon until it reaches Crystal Springs Reservoir. This is a protected area with two man-made lakes—the west side is wild and virtually people-free. Only rangers and the few lucky Felidae volunteers, who maintain trail cameras, occasionally venture to the west side of the lakes. Because wildlife rarely encounters humans in that protected area, they don’t need to limit their activities to late at night. These playful mountain lion youngsters and their mum were filmed at around 5:00 PM about one month ago.

Puma cubs playing during the day. Photo courtesy of Felidae Conservation Fund

Dusky-footed woodrats

This article wouldn’t be complete without checking in on the busy little woodrats. I found out this morning that these little guys are dusky-footed woodrats. Although it’s not clear how they are being impacted by the hot weather and the increase of people hiking the trail, camera #4 is filming an abundance of them being productive at night, collecting twigs to build and repair their homes. We also caught one enterprising woodrat adding on to her penthouse suite high up in a tree.

Dusky-footed woodrat home. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

The wildlife cameras are filming changes. Most are expected, caused by the cycle of seasons. Others may be caused by an increase of people enjoying popular trails throughout the day and into the night.

 

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My favorite trail is vibrant with a wide diversity of wildlife. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

Many animals call this canyon home. It’s a safe place for them to live, with an abundance of food and water. On both sides of the trail are what appear to be random piles of sticks haphazardly heaped together around the bases of trees. These aren’t the incidental products of sudden wind gusts. They’re homes—carefully and deliberately built. Most people, including me, hike by these structures without realizing that wood rats have built and live in them.

Wood rats build amazing structures. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

15 seconds of fame

Everyone can see camera #4. It’s not hidden. Bobcats, lions, humans and dogs routinely check it out. People of all ages wave, pose, perform, make faces and talk to the camera. We’ve captured precious footage of young children dancing and singing. There are also videos of people reading the wildlife study stickers that are taped on 3 sides of the camera. After one little boy’s mum finished reading it to him, the child authoritatively proclaimed “there aren’t any animals here” If he only knew…

A mountain lion patrols the canyon

I receive area-wide lion alerts, sightings called into the county by local residents. A number of these alerts include footage from home security cameras of lions cruising around homes. After each alert I check camera #4 (any excuse to walk my favorite trail). Often I find 2 videos filmed within 24 hours featuring the same adult male lion. One video catches him leisurely trotting up the trail, while another spots him coming back around 18 hours later.

Pumas don’t want to encounter people and will limit their times around suburban areas to late night in order to avoid us. This boy is no different. The camera spots him between 11:00 PM—4:00 AM when there’s a minimum of human activity. Since camera #4 records him regularly, I’m assuming that he is patrolling his territory. He’s beautiful and it’s a gift to see him.

Bobcats are frequent visitors

In addition to the lion, bobcats are regulars on the trail. Although their usual MO is to use it at night, the camera caught one last month at 9:54 AM, pausing before he guardedly moved up the trail. 2 seconds later, a jogger with a dog sprinted by.

Bobcats use the trail on a regular basis. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

Its spring and the animals have been very busy. Check out this bobcat waddling down the path—she looks like she’s about to be a mom. I plan to check the camera every week, in anticipation of eventually catching glimpses of her on the trail with kittens in tow.  I feel like an impatient aunt, waiting for news about the birth of a niece or nephew. Patience is not one of my strongest traits.

Bobcats as well as other large animals are aware of the camera at night. For an instant, the infrared light, triggered by movement catches their attention.

A diversity of species travel the trail

The canyon’s rich resources draw a large variety of animals. Possums, deer, skunks, rabbits, raccoons and a small owl are among those who are regulars on the trail.  Wood rats are also frequently filmed dashing across the trail to the safety of their stick houses.

Almost every night there’s at least one skunk who trots across the trail in front of the cam. Although it’s hard to see them through the dense vegetation, their tails are very distinctive. I love seeing those beautiful tails—on film and from a distance.

This lush, suburban canyon is full of surprises. I never know what camera #4 will show me and it never disappoints me. The videos of animals and people are a delight to see—I enjoy watching lions and pregnant bobcats as much as I am fond of seeing the children hamming it up in front of the lens. The videos are testaments of people and wild animals, including apex predators, timesharing the same trail, coexisting without conflicts or problems.

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