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Living With California Coyotes Reproduced from the California Department of Fish and Game publication January 1, 1999 Coyotes in California Observing wild animals is one of the many benefits of living in or near wildlife habitat. The experience can turn unpleasant or even dangerous, however, when well-meaning people feed wildlife. When fed by people, coyotes can become unnaturally bold and the result is conflict between coyotes and people, which too often ends in serious harm, or even death, to people or the coyotes. The coyote (Canis latrans ), a member of the dog family, is native to California (and Mount Diablo). It closely resembles a small German shepherd dog with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. The coyote's high-pitched, yodel-like yapping can frequently be heard at night. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever food is available. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, as well as young deer and sheep. They will also fee on the carcasses of dead animals and will accept "hand-outs" from people in the form of table scraps, pet food and garbage. Coyotes are found throughout California, from desert and mountain habitats to urban areas. Problems occur when people begin feeding coyotes, either deliberately or inadvertently. Coyotes will quickly lose their natural fear of people and become bold,even aggressive. Pets are often attacked, injured or killed by coyotes. In a few tragic cases, coyotes have attacked small children, causing serious injuries and death. Help Keep Coyotes Wild We can reduce conflicts with coyotes by ensuring that they remain cautious of humans. Practice these safety guidelines and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Never Feed a Coyote Deliberately feeding coyotes puts you, your pets and your neighbors at risk. Some communities have ordinances that ban feeding of coyotes or other wildlife. You may be inadvertently feeding coyotes by leaving pet food or garbage where they can get to it. Feed pets indoors or promptly remove outdoor dishes when pets finish their meals. Store bags of pet food indoors. Use trash cans with lids that clamp shut, which will prevent spilling if the cans are tipped over. If you leave garbage outside, don't use trash bags as garbage containers" coyotes can easily rip them open and scatter the contents. Put trash containers out the morning of the scheduled pick-up, rather than the night before. This will give the coyote less time to scavenge. Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings to reduce protective cover for coyotes and make the area less attractive to rodents. Coyotes and other predators may be attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, such as wood and brush piles and seed storage areas. Protect Children Although rare, coyote attacks have seriously injured young children. Never leave small children unattended in areas known to be frequented by coyotes, even in your yard. Protect Pets and Livestock Keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits and small dogs, indoors. Don't allow them to run free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. Some coyotes seek cats in residential areas. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark, and never be allowed to run loose. Rabbit hutches should have a solid bottom. A hutch standing above ground, with only a wire bottom, makes your rabbit an easy mark. When building a chicken coop, dig a one-foot trench around its perimeter. Extend the chicken wire fence well into the trench, then bury it. Use Negative Reinforcement If coyotes begin frequenting your neighborhbood, let them know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose. For everyone's safety, it is essential that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans. If coyote problems persist, contact your local city government or county agricultural commissioner for assistance. Report Threats and Attacks Immediately If you see a coyote behaving aggressively or attacking people, contact the nearest office of the California Department of Fish and Game during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If an encounter or attack occurs after business hours, call the Department of Fish and Game's 24-hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. The Department will take appropriate action. Northern California California Department of Fish & Game Office 530-225-2300 Coyote | Carl Nielson BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Poison Sanicle Scientific Name: Sanicula bipinnata Family: Apiaceae (Parsley-Carrot Family) Blooms: Mar Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Wildflower Mount Diablo Fitch's Tarweed Scientific Name: Centromadia fitchii Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Jun - Oct Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Panurginus Miner Bee Panurginus Andrenidae Panurginus Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Small (5-8 mm), early season community nesters, with a truncated marginal cell in wing (see arrow above). Has 2 submarginal cells. These little bees are mostly hairless and black. They have a yellow clypeus (lower face). Nectar/ Pollen Plants Some Panurginus are pollen specialists (on Ranunculus , others on Potentilla , etc.) and some are generalists. Habits Panurginus are ground nesters, and on Mount Diablo, some nest gregariously in aggregations, with areas swarming with bees in March. Nests are made in cracks, or are dug under pebbles (personal observation). Nest structure details are unknown for our bees. Season Early Spring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Notch Leaf Clover Scientific Name: Trifolium bifidum Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) Blooms: Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Wildflower Mount Diablo Scarlet Pimpernel Scientific Name: Lysimachia arvensis Family: Myrsinaceae (Primulaceae) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Naked Ladies Toxic characteristics to animals and humans Scientific Name: Amaryllis belladonna Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family) Blooms: June - October Color: Red-Pink Perennial (Bulb) Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo Bur Chervil, Bur Parsley Invasive Scientific Name: Anthriscus caucalis Family: Apiaceae (Parsley-Carrot Family) Blooms: Apr Color: White Annual herb or vine Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Ken-ichi Ueda, iNaturalist

Wildflower Mount Diablo Pacific Madrone Scientific Name: Arbutus menziesii Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family) Blooms: April - May Color: Yellow-Orange Tree Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

American Lady Vanessa virginiensis Nymphalidae Brushfoots Flies All year Host Plant Everlasting Nectar Plant Daniel Fitzgerald Male Underwing Kevin Hinsta Female

Wildflower Mount Diablo Dwarf Flax Scientific Name: Hesperevax sparsiflora var. sparsiflora Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Mar-Jun Color: Green Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty

Wildlife is abundant on Mount Diablo. Coastal black-tailed deer, raccoons, California ground squirrels, eastern fox squirrels, and gray foxes are often seen. Skunks, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers, coyotes, rabbits, hares and many other animals call the mountain home as well. Mount Diablo is known to harbor red-legged frogs, tarantulas, and the rare Alameda whipsnake as well as its cousin, the northern rattlesnake. Bringing a camera? Take the Photographer's Pledge and read these Guidelines 3 cups Blueberries 3 cups Flour 1½ cups Butter Wildlife is abundant on Mount Diablo. Coastal black-tailed deer, raccoons, California ground squirrels, eastern fox squirrels, and gray foxes are often seen. Skunks, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers, coyotes, rabbits, hares and many other animals call the mountain home as well. Mount Diablo is known to harbor red-legged frogs, tarantulas, and the rare Alameda whipsnake as well as its cousin, the northern rattlesnake. Bringing a camera? Take the Photographer's Pledge and read these Guidelines Wildlife of Mount Diablo State Park & Vicinity Featured Articles and Resources Mammals Common Mammals of Mount Diablo (PDF) Living with Coyotes Coyote and Quail Mammals of Mount Diablo Mountain Lions Birds Bird Identification Guide Intro to Birding Red-Tailed Hawk Birds of Chaparral Riparian Birds Woodland Birds Reptiles Blainville's Horned Lizard The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Alameda Whipsnake Amphibians California Red Legged Frog Mount Diablo Western Toad California Tiger Salamander Tarantulas and Insects Tarantulas: The Gentle Giants of Mount Diablo Tarantulas on Mount Diablo Tarantula Time Warm Fuzzy Spiders Ticks and Lyme Disease Mount Diablo Butterfly Guide Mount Diablo Bee Guide Day Flying Moths at Mount Diablo 2015 Dragonflies Ladybug Time Mount Diablo Ant Species (pdf) per Dr. Philip Ward, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Mike Woodring California Red Legged Frog | Michael Marchiano Tarantula | Ken Lavin Other Myths of Mount Diablo's "Deadly Big Four"