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.

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.

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.

Mountain lion

A male mountain lion visited the canyon late at night last week. Although he is programmed to avoid humans and he travels through the canyon when people aren’t around, be safe. Don’t hike the trails at night and in the early mornings.

One of the cameras filmed him strolling further up the trail, stopping briefly to check out the vegetation.

Three of the wildlife cameras filmed him on the trail two nights last week. Most likely he caught a deer and cached it in the canyon, returning to dine on it for a couple of nights. Note his tummy—it looks like he recently had a good meal.

Bobcats

Excellent day-time video of one of the resident bobcats being cautious and alert.

This is the first time the cameras have recorded this bobcat. Look at the color of his coat.

Bobcat walking the trail early in the morning.

Coyotes

This pair of coyotes are recent additions to the trail–anyway, the trail cameras have filmed them only for a couple of weeks.

Good video of 09M, alert on the trail.

I love this video of 09M. Check out his story, we’ve been filming him for a few months. Sometimes after we switch the camera’s memory cards he shows up, checks out the cameras and marks.

Deer, skunk and quail

Check out this boy’s points. He’s frequently filmed chasing after does.

I am happy to see this covey of quail. When I was child living nearby, we’d look out the front window and see what seemed like hundreds of quail on the lawn and in the driveway. Sadly, through the years, their numbers plummeted and we rarely saw them. Perhaps they are making a comeback. I hope so.

I love this tail. What a display!

Humans

Something about the trail inspires people to dance.

and to shave.

We all share the trail. In addition to wild animals using the trail, people hike, bike, jog, dance and even shave while traipsing the trail. Although they seldom see wildlife, the animals are aware of the people. They are masters at avoiding humans. The cameras catch people walking past and then later, film wild animals passing by.

The post Featured Videos of the Month: June, 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.