Anza Borrego: Seasons in the Desert

If you are camping in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® or staying in nearby motels, you are likely to hear (if not see) one of the desert's most remarkable residents. The coyote, Canis latrans, is a wide-ranging, restless wanderer whose adaptability has made it more than just a survivor in this harsh desert environment.

While many animal species find themselves losing in the competition with humans for food, water, and space, the coyote has done well. One reason is its widely varied diet. A coyote will eat almost anything, and will consume whatever is most readily available, whether that be plant or animal, alive or dead. Around here, the coyote hunts many small creatures including mice, rabbits, and quail. During times of drought, the coyote will eat screw beans, gourd seeds, and even dry grass.

Of course, the coyote's outstanding hunting skills have gotten it into trouble with humans, especially those who raise sheep or goats. The wily coyote, though shot at from both land and air, poisoned in a variety of ways, hunted with hounds, trapped and dug out of the den as a pup, has survived these assaults by farmers and ranchers. In fact the coyote population has increased. Resourceful and clever, the coyote can learn to tiptoe around traps, avoid baits, and produce more offspring under threatening conditions. Can they communicate to each other about shared dangers? No one knows for sure.

The coyote's sensory ability is another adaptation which helps it endure. A tremendously keen sense of smell guides it to prey and away from danger, usually humans, but occasionally a mountain lion. Acute hearing pinpoints the underground movements of mice and rats, some of the first food items a coyote pup learns to catch. Because they remove weak animals from populations and reduce the number of rodents, coyotes are beneficial both to humans and the natural environment.

Strong legs help this wild dog move with speed and agility. Clever and cunning, coyotes will work together. They may take turns chasing a hare until it is weakened, then drive it back towards the group for a shared meal. Because it can live singly, in pairs, or in packs, can survive drought and extreme cold, and can outwit both predators and prey, the coyote is thriving in North America. Watch and listen for this wild dog, the amazingly adaptable coyote.

Mountain Lion, Threat or Threatened?

Also know as cougar, panther and puma, the mountain lion is a park resident, and an important part of the wilderness community. This secretive animal, with predatory behavior very similar to the domestic cat, is rarely seen. A single mountain lion will claim a territory as wide as 100 square miles. Large animals, such as deer and bighorn sheep, are its usual prey.

An adult male may be more than eight feet long, and weigh as much as 150 pounds. A mature female will be at least a foot smaller and weigh less than 90 pounds. Kittens, or cubs, are covered with blackish-brown spots, and have dark rings around their eyes.

Outside the park, the number of lion/human interactions is increasing. Recently, a controversy has developed in California over who is invading whose territory. Here, in the designated wilderness areas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park®, humans are the visitors.

While there have been no reports of lion attacks on people within the park, precautions should be taken to reduce the chance of attack in case a lion is encountered. Never approach a lion, and give it plenty of room to go its own way. Stay calm. Make yourself appear as large as possible. Pick up small children. Do not crouch, and do not turn your back or run away.