HPWBANA Area Wildlife Page

Urban Coyote Information for our area

Coyote Facts:

• One of the keys to the coyote's success is its diet.  A coyote will eat just about anything. 
• Coyotes are active mainly during the nighttime.  Most sightings occur during the hours close to sunrise and sunset
• Adult coyotes weigh between 20 and 45 pounds.
• A high reproductive rate and rapid growth of offspring aid in the coyote's success. 
• Coyotes breed in February and March and pups are born about 60 days later.  An average litter contain four or five pups. 
• In urban environments, coyotes give birth in storm drains, under storage sheds, in holes, parks or golf courses.
• Coyotes tend to travel and hunt alone or in pairs. 
• In areas where coyotes are hunted or trapped they are extremely wary of humans. 

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Ten things residents can do to help the situation  

1. Do not feed coyotes or other wildlife!
2. Eliminate sources of water.
3. Bird feeders should be positioned so that coyotes can't get the feed. Coyotes are attracted by bread, table scraps, and even seed.  They may also be attracted by birds and rodents that come to the feeders.  They are also attracted to deer feed.
4. Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it.
5. Secure garbage containers and eliminate garbage odors.
6. Feed pets indoors whenever possible.  Pick up any leftovers if feeding outdoors.  Store pet food where it is inaccessible to wildlife. 
7. Trim and clean, near ground level, any shrubbery that provides hiding cover for coyotes or prey.
8. As in all cases, small children should never be left unattended.
9. Don't allow pets for run free.  Keep them safely confined and provide secure nighttime housing for them.  Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night.
10. Discourage coyotes from frequenting you area.  If you start seeing coyotes around you home or property, chase them away by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks.

Wildlife in the HPWBANA Neighborhood Area

If you are a long time resident or new to the area you will find abundant wildlife within our neighborhood boundaries.  Both Camp Mabry and Bright Leaf provide large natural areas where wildlife thrives.   There are also many medium to large sparsely developed areas through which wildlife live and travel.  This list contains information about special wildlife within the Highland Park West Balcones neighborhood area of particular interest to residents.   

Abandoned or Injured Animals:

If you encounter an animal or bird that appears hurt or needs rescue, contact Austin Wildlife Rescue 24 Hot Line at 512-472-9453. This non-profit organization assists with helping injured animals for the Austin area and neighboring counties.

Please note that young animals and birds are sometimes temporarily left in an area by their parents and don’t need rescue.  These animals should be left alone.  

White Tailed Deer

White tailed deer are well established in Camp Mabry and Bright Leaf and frequently venture into our neighborhood yards where vegetation is abundant.  They are disliked by some and very much welcomed by others.  The deer population continues to increase with the recognition that they have few predators.   Feeding the deer is discouraged to allow them to live within the balance of nature and the natural food sources available to them.  Over-browsing by white tailed deer has and continues to be detrimental to the woodland ecosystems in Bright Leaf and Camp Mabry.

Like many other urban communities in the area with increasing deer populations, the problem is recognized.  There is not an easy solution to this problem. 

• The average lifespan of a white-tail deer is between 6-8 years. 
• Female deer usually have their first fawn at about 2 years of age. 
• It is very common for older female deer to have twin fawns. 
• Female deer often hide their offspring for a few hours at a time while they forage for food - fawns found without their mother don’t necessarily need rescue.
• Rutting season is in the fall around September through December where various mating related behaviors are displayed. 
• Caution: Male deer can be very erratic and quite possibly dangerous during the mating/rutting period so should be avoided.
• Fawns are usually born between April and June.
• Male antlers are shed in the winter and grow out again every year.  There is no direct correlation between antler development/configuration and age.

Coyotes

Coyotes are extremely adaptive to their environment and are well established in and around Bright Leaf.  Residents who live near this natural area report frequent sighting along with hearing the characteristic howling sounds.  It is strongly recommended to discourage them from becoming comfortable around people and homes because they can be dangerous.  Food placed outside at night is an attraction to them.

Important Note: The cat and small pet population is the area has been decimated by coyote predation.  It is recommended that people protect their small family pets by keeping them inside at night.

• Their lifespan can be up to 16 years but 4-5 years is most common
• Female coyotes give birth to an average of 6 babies a year (50% survival rate).
• Their diet consists of small animals, reptiles, insects, fruit, etc.
• They are opportunistic hunters, so will prey on cats and small dogs.
• They commonly hunt at night but actively hunt during the day also.
• They can sprint 30-40 miles per hour.
• They usually hunt alone or in pairs. Large hunting packs are uncommon but do occur at times.  They call at night to communicate with each other (short barks followed by a long howl).
• If you encounter a coyote that is bold towards you, you should make yourself appear as large as possible by standing up, waving arms, keep any children close and make lots of noise.
• Natural aging and disease are the most common causes of coyote death in urban environments.  Their only predators in the area are man (includes traffic related).

Coyotes and Deer - Misconceptions

It is a misconception that the coyotes will seriously curb the deer population.  Coyotes will prey on fawns but coyotes generally do not prey on the larger size adult deer (although they have been know to take adult male and female deer).

 Fox

Fox have been spotted in our neighborhood – section to be completed.

Mountain Lions - None in our area

There are stories of a mountain lion or two being seen in the area years ago, and they may pass through from time to time, but are not considered present or established here.  They have been sighted in the extreme western portions of the county and it is extremely unlikely for them to pass through here.  In the very unusual occurrence that you encounter one you should make yourself appear as large as possible by standing up, waving arms, keep children close and make lots of noise.

Note: Although they are rare to see, the possibility of them being in our area does exist. 

Wild Boar or Hogs - None in our area

Wild boar or hogs have not been reported within our neighborhood boundary area but they do exist in large numbers in preserves west of Loop 360.  It is possible that in time they will arrive in our area.  They are considered very dangerous animals and can cause a lot of damage to people and property.   If one is spotted in our neighborhood Texas Parks and Wildlife should be contacted as well as other animal control agencies.

Nine-Banded Armadillo

Armadillos with their unique hard segmented plates that cover their body are common in the neighborhood.  They are primarily solitary and nocturnal but occasionally forage during the day.  Their presence is usually noted by small areas of upturned dirt where they searched for food and burrow entrances. 

Interesting Armadillo Information

• Always give birth to identical quintuplets.
• Their diet consists of insects, small animals, roots, eggs, carrion, etc.
• They rely heavily on their excellent sense of smell, but have a poor sense of sight.
• They construct numerous complex burrows.

Raccoons and Opossums

Raccoons and opossums are extremely adaptable to their environment and will approach homes and garbage areas looking for food.  Pet food left outside is a strong attraction.  They are strictly nocturnal.  During the day they sleep in hollowed out trees or burrows for dens but will also choose to sleep in man-made dens.  Attics spaces and crawl spaces make nice dens for both raccoons and opossums and are sometimes used if they access.  Insulation damage and chewing electrical wires are hazards if they choose these areas.

• Raccoons have human like hands which provide them great ability to handle a variety of food.
• Raccoons are savage fighters when cornered.
• Opossums have the unusual behavior of appearing dead by lying motionless with its mouth open.  If found in this state it should be left alone because it may be quite alive and respond to being touched by biting.
• Both eat a great variety of food, including easy items provided by humans such garden vegetables, pet food, birdseed, fish in ponds, etc

Others

We also have our share of skunks, rabbits and squirrels.

The wildlife in the area adds a rich natural character to our neighborhood.  There are numerous opportunities to observe and learn more about the various species of wildlife that share the area.  The Texas Parks and Wildlife website, the Texas Park and Wildlife link to Bright Leaf (website link) and Friends of Bright Leaf (yahoo group link) provide information and coordinate various activities. These are also a great resource for those interested in birds, plants, and insect species of this area.

HPWBANA appreciates the review of this article and input by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

by N. Morning 7-30-04

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Last updated on 06/10/2010