Johansson, E.P. and B.A. DeGregorio. Predators in residential yards: influence of yard features on the occupancy, detections rates, and overlap of coyotes (Canis latrans), gray fox (Uyrocyon cinereoargenteus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Wildlife Research
Abstract
Mammalian predators have historically been persecuted and struggle to persist in areas of human development. Our study aimed to find if predators were utilizing residential yards, how certain features influenced their occupancy, detection rates, and temporal activity overlap with each other. We found that predator occupancy of residential yards was influenced by yard level features as opposed to surrounding landscape composition. This means that homeowners have some agency to attract or deter predators from their yards primarily through the use of fences to deter coyote and maybe other predators. As residential lawns become a more prominent landcover type worldwide, managers could benefit from understanding how these lawns provide resources that benefit predators and other wildlife existing in suburban settings and how yard features can create hot spots of conflict with these species of wildlife.