Coyotes And Other Desert Dwellers

06.26.2011 - As the temperatures creep into the 110+ range and we all head for the cool indoors remember there are a lot of your four legged neighbors who have to survive, too. Monsoon hasn't hit yet (yes, I know, official monsoon start is June 15, but us old-school weather nerds know it's not really here quite yet!) and water is very limited. Sure they try to get it from things like cactus, agaves and other desert plants but a lot of animals, from rabbits to javelina to lizards will go for things that look good in your garden.

I lost an entire crop of radishes to a very hungry (and enormous!) lizard. I hope he enjoyed them, they sure did look healthy before he snuck into the garden and chowed down. Rabbits will even eat through the thorny cactus. They seem to particularly enjoy cow's tongue cactus and other smooth prickly pear varieties. Lizards dig, dig, dig until they find a moist environment. Usually in my yard this is up against rocky areas, boulders and near shady walls. Snakes don't really have the ability to dig, they are more likely to 'steal' an already-dug hole left by a lizard, rodent or other critter.

I've almost convinced myself I spotted an ocelot one humid morning last summer, but it was probably just another bobcat. A girl can dream!

To me the most amazing creatures in the summer desert are the coyotes. I see them weekly, wandering up the mountainsides, through washes and even crossing the road to a less-developed area. They sure do look warn out this time of year and I can't help but think of them when we finally get our first good summer rainfall.

Remember, coyotes don't really want anything to do with humans, but they will get defensive if they feel they are being crowded, attacked or provoked. Leave them be and never, NEVER feed them. If you feed a coyote you will have a very hard time getting rid of him...and all of his pals. Trying to domesticate a coyote is very dangerous. If you feel a coyote is getting too close to your yard or your pets, try to leave their food indoors. Keep your animals in your sight. If a coyote tries to approach, make loud noises. Clapping, jumping, yelling and if needed tossing rocks in the coyote's direction usually sends it running the other way. A blast from the garden hose works too.

Use common sense and we can all enjoy living in this diverse desert together.