What Residents Should Know about the desert wildlife and how to live with it

Coyotes – Pack Rats – Rattlesnakes – Javelina

Living with Coyotes
Coyotes are wild canines that are clever and opportunistic. They are often mistaken for small to medium sized domestic dogs. They have a long, bushy black-tipped tail, pointed ears and a narrow pointed face. Their fur varies in color, from light brown to grayish. The fur on their belly is usually white. Click here to hear coyote sounds

If you see a coyote near your home, don’t ignore it. The coyote may lose its natural fear of humans, which can eventually lead to bold behavior.

Follow this article Living With Coyotes to learn more about:

• Know The Law – feeding, capturing, killing wildlife
• Coyote Traits And Behaviors
• Are Coyotes Dangerous
• What To Do If Approached
• How To Discourage Coyotes
• How To Keep Pets and Small Children Safe

Living with White-Throated Pack Rat
The Pack Rat, White-throated Wood Rat, is a medium sized nocturnal hoarding rodent with big ears and liquid eyes, and a furry (rather than hairless) tail. They are a necessary part of the Sonoran Desert food chain, a key element in the diet of owls, hawks, bobcats, coyotes, ringtails and other wildlife. Thus the reason not to use poison.

Though this rodent maybe cute, it can become a destructive nuisance for homeowners and their cars if preventative deterrents are not taken. Most exterminators provide non-poisonous solutions, AND there are things homeowners can do themselves to prevent Pack Rats from being around and in their home as well as their cars.

Follow this article “How To Get Rid Of Pack Rats In Arizona” to read:

• How to Keep Pack Rats from Choosing Your House
• How to Eliminate Pack Rats
• Poisoning Rats Actually Increases the Rat Population

Follow this article “How to Prevent Pack Rats From Eating Your Car Wires” to read:

• Vegetarian Pack Rats like soy-based wiring
• Action and Solutions

Follow this article “SOME TIPS FOR TARGETING DESERT PACKRATS WITHOUT HARMING OTHER SPECIES” to read:

• Pack Rat Removal
• What About Rat Nests
• Long Term Control Strategies
• Why Not Just Use Poisoning

Living with Rattlesnakes
With warm weather comes the snakes. Remember to keep garage doors and other means of access closed. Use a flashlight if walking at night and take care underneath foliage that covers the ground. If you see a rattlesnake leave it alone and keep your distance. If necessary there are individuals and organizations (including the Rural Metro Fire Dept.) that can remove them.

• Information from the Arizona Department of Game and Fish Living with Rattlesnakes
• Download Arizona Game and Fish Department brochure Living with Venomous Reptiles
• What Snake Is That – Non venomous snakes out number venomous snakes 3-1. If the tail comes to a point, the snake is harmless. There are snakes that look like a Rattlesnake but are not, such as the Bull Snake. There are other snakes that hunt, kill and eat the Rattlesnake such as the King Snake. Read information from National Parks Services

Living with Javelina
Special information from the Arizona Department of Fish and Game for dog walkers
Click HERE to read the information.

• Download Arizona Game and Fish Department “Living with Javelina” brochure
• Go to AGFD Living with Wildlife page www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife