Part of the reason so many people have flocked to Parker and Douglas County Colorado is because of the beautiful open spaces that we get to view out our back doors on a daily basis.
With that beauty comes the original animal inhabitants of the plains of Colorado including:
- coyotes
- fox
- birds of prey
- prairie dogs
- mountain lions
- black bears
- rattlesnakes
- bullsnakes
- deer
- rabbits
- raccoons
- skunks
Tips for gardening and wildlife in Parker CO
Know that encountering these animals in our area is common. If you are not going to be comfortable living side by side with these beautiful creatures perhaps Parker and Douglas County aren’t the place for you to live.
Deer seem so beautiful and everyone loves to stop and watch them with their families in the fields but they can be a hazard for drivers especially in the Pinery, Timbers and Hilltop areas of Parker. So be sure to watch for them while driving in the more open space areas. They can also be troublesome if you have a green thumb and enjoy flower and vegetable gardening. Deer are notorious for eating your tulips the moment they bloom if they have managed to survive the smaller rodents the love to nibble on bulbs. Tagawa Gardens has lots of information on which plants, shrubs and trees are best for high deer traffic areas.
The Town of Parker has provided these tips for Living with Wildlife in Douglas County.
Parker has many natural areas where wildlife, including coyotes, live. In most situations, communities can safely coexist with coyotes if they are given the right tools.
The following information is provided to help you if and when you encounter coyotes in the area.
- Do not feed the coyotes! Doing so can make them less afraid of humans and potentially more dangerous.
- Take measures to protect your pets. Coyotes will attack and kill cats, dogs and livestock.
- Do not allow your pets to roam, especially at night. Keep your pets inside at night if possible.
- Keep your pets on a leash when walking them.
- Do not leave food or water outside for your pets.
- Garbage should not be kept outside and should be placed in secure, tightly-sealed containers. Cans should be cleaned regularly with a chlorine bleach and water solution.
If you or someone you know has had a pet attacked by a coyote or any other aggressive or threatening encounter with a coyote, please contact the Parker Police Department at 303.841.9800 or go online to www.ParkerPolice.org to report the incident.
