Castle Pines North is a beautiful neighborhood of open space and varied topography. The beauty of our area is greatly enhanced by the abundant wildlife present in and around the community. However, when humans and wildlife live in close proximity encounters can occur. Where there are deer, raccoons, and rabbits, there are also animals that prey on them. Humans and wildlife can peacefully co-exist if we learn to understand their behavior patterns and avoid confrontations. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife website, “The key is to respect the wildness of wildlife. "Wildlife" is just that—wild. Most dangerous and potentially harmful encounters occur because people fail to leave the animals alone. Wildlife should not be harassed, captured, domesticated or—in most cases—fed. Intentional or inadvertent feeding is the major cause of most wildlife problems, and it is illegal to feed deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, and elk in Colorado.” Allowing small animals such as rabbits and raccoons to access food in our neighborhoods can lead to larger problems with predators, so awareness and conscientious trash management is vital.
The following is a list of animals that may be encountered in our area:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/AmericanBlackBear.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Bobcat.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Cottontails.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Coyote.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Deer.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Wapiti.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Foxes.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/CoexistingWithWildlife/Mammals/LionCountry.htm
Be sure to click on the “When Mountain Lions Meet People” link at the bottom to see the second page of this excellent information about Mountain Lions.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Porcupine.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Raccoon.htm
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/NATRES/06501.html
http://coloherp.org/geo/species/specrvi.php
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Skunk.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/GroundSquirrel.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/TreeSquirrel.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Vole.htm
