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Coyotes,
javelinas, foxes, bobcats, quail, rabbits, snakes and hawks are
some of the wildlife that can come down into residential areas,
especially at night, said Randy Babb, biologist for the Arizona
Game and Fish Department.
“A
lot of animals move around at night. It’s too hot in the day,”
Babb said.
Residents
may be tempted to care for wild animals and birds, but doing so
can cause a lot of problems, Babb said.
Laying
out water and food for desirable wildlife like birds can draw
unwanted animals like diamondback snakes who congregate around
water and food sources, he said.
Babb
said it is best to leave wildlife alone.
“Once
you get involved in an animal’s life, odds of it coming to a bad
end increase dramatically,” he said.
Owls
and hawks, for example, will attack a house cat or kittens, he
said, adding pets should not be left outside alone.
Babb
said dog owners should not chain up their dogs, particularly small
dogs that are “prey‑size.”
Reach
the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.
Discourage
wild animals from taking up residence in urban fringe neighborhoods:
·Don’t
feed wildlife, and remove attractants, including pet food, water
bowls and garbage from around your home.
·Make
unavailable potential den sites or shelters, including the crawl
spaces under homes, by blocking such spaces with fencing or
other barriers.
·Don’t
let wild animals get comfortable in your neighborhood. You can
discourage them by spraying with a hose, lighting up the area
at night, playing loud music, shaking a can filled with pennies
or banging pots and pans.
Source:
Arizona Department of Game and Fish
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