Coyote Sighting! (Tucson, Mesa, Tortolita: house, scorpions, live in)

[johnp292]

First it was the scorpions. Then the tarantula in the house. Twice now I've come across what I believe to be wind scorpions outside.

Then yesterday afternoon, about 5:40 PM, a pair of coyotes walked through the desert not 5 feet from our fence! Couldn't get a camera out fast enough for a photo. How cool was that (as long as they stay on the desert side of the fence!)?

I know there will be javelina any day now. Or maybe a gila monster!

And we've only been here 69 days so far!

[azdr0710]

coyotes are a pretty common sight in many parts of the city (and desert)....they are incredibly scared of people, but have famously adapted to the urban West....

once saw a few javelina cruising across Tatum S of Shea....just another day in Phx...

cockroaches will occasionally even come inside the house, too...

[2coldhere]

I take it this is a good thing?...I'm looking forward to the chance, when we get settled in, but the truth is, my wife doesn't need to be reading this....

[adriver]

I go running in the middle of the night and more than one occasion have had one run with, along side of me for a couple blocks on Union Hills.

[LBTRS]

So thankful your post was a positive "coyote sighting" as there are so many irrational posts about scorpions, spiders, snakes, coyotes, hawks, owls, etc. I was expecting another post with someone freaking out because they seen a coyote in the desert.

Wildlife is a fact of life and we should all be as rational as you when we stumble across it. I know I am.

Get your camera ready so you can show me those javelinas when they come by since I've not seen any of those yet.

[locolobo13]

I know that feeling. I had my camera out but still couldn't get a shot before it disappeared.

Maybe yours will repeat the performance going by your house and give you that shot. Good luck.

[Phxguy]

There are packs of javelinas out where I live in East Mesa. A trail by my neighbors house is lined with a few cactus skeleton poles to scare off any that charge passbyers. But don't worry, just like the rest of the wildlife, they aren't threatening unless you provoke them. Keep an eye out for skunks, mountain lions, and even the occasional wild horse near running streams. The desert is abdunant with wildlife!

[JLC58]

Great; Now if you find a Rattlesnake and a Wild Ass. Your wildlife viewing should be about complete.

[SluggoF16]

Coyotes are extraordinarily beautiful animals, but there are cautions associated them. When I lived in the west Tucson foothills, a nearby neighbor fed them and the herd of javelinas that roamed the area. Only when the javelinas got into a big fight in his yard did he stop. When they lose their fear of people, and learn that we provide them with easy food, they can become pests. Admire them but don't feed them. I never really worried about them messing with my dog, since he was a 135 pound wolf mix. However, I used to see signs posted at Tortolita and El Camino del Cerro all the time reading "Lost cat" or "Missing Shih Tzu". That said, they're usually curious but skittish true denizens of the desert and seeing a healthy coyote trotting along should make your day.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

So thankful your post was a positive "coyote sighting" as there are so many irrational posts about scorpions, spiders, snakes, coyotes, hawks, owls, etc. I was expecting another post with someone freaking out because they seen a coyote in the desert.

Wildlife is a fact of life and we should all be as rational as you when we stumble across it. I know I am.

Get your camera ready so you can show me those javelinas when they come by since I've not seen any of those yet.

Thanks, its all good except the scorpions in the house. The coolest by far was finding the tarantula. After the initial surprise of finding a giant spider standing in our bedroom hallway, it was actually a positive experience. In case you missed my post about it, I caught him under a beer glass and let him go outside.