Wildlife - Santee, CA

A new subdivision is being created to the West of the RV Park we are in for the winter (Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve). The plan is for an additional 400 houses to grace the rolling hills outside the park. Wildlife homes are being replaces with human homes. As a result more critters are exploring the park on a regular basis.

Historically, rabbits have always be hopping here and there, with occasional rattle snakes, raccoons, ground squirrels, coyotes, hawks and owls. Now, we seem to be inundated with more of all of these. Especially young coyotes that have been shunned by the packs. These grayish small dog-like wildlife are boldly walking through sights looking for any food scraps.

Small dogs need to be carefully watched and secured via leash and tight harness or the coyote will pull the dog right out of their collars and take off. Children being naturally curious, need to be informed and watched. While these coyotes might look cute, they are anything but. Boots and Ruthi now walk Karma together for her 9pm final pit stop. While Ruthi has the leash on Karma, Boots carries a stick to tap on the ground letting any creature hidden in the foliage that we are coming. Additionally, the stick could be useful in warding off any approaching wildlife.

Here are some pictures of the coyote that seems to like our section of the park and comes through at least a couple of times a day. So far, Karma has only seen it once and her reaction was "fight" instead of her owners' preferred "flight" approach.