Arapaho

Our Backyard Habitat attracts various visitors - birds, toads, snakes, squirrels, rabbits, javelina, hawks, etc.,

Recently, this Bobcat visited the Backyard Habitat. We believe he had just caught his lunch – since a long tail was dangling from his mouth, likely a Packrat, which are quite common in the Arizona desert. My Mom tried to record the Bobcat’s visit on video but he was too eager to "eat and run." Thus, we were only able to snap a couple of pictures - as you can see, he is so beautiful.

Bobcats, like coyotes, hawks, owls, and other predators, are so important to our ecosystem - they help keep things in balance so that we do not have an overabundance of packrats and other rodents. Nothing against Packrats or rodents in general, they, too, play a role in our ecosystem - everything/everyone does - however, balance is key to sustain Mother Nature's resources.

Many people opt to use Poisons or traps to kill rodents whom they deem to be a nuisance. If this Bobcat ate a Packrat that had been poisoned, he would also die - very horrifically, since most poisons are anticoagulants, which means ingestion results in internal bleeding that may last for weeks. Poisons are gift of death that keeps on giving, including seeping into the soil and groundwater, which impacts all our health.

Traps are another death tool that maims or kills innocent wildlife. It offers any animal that may get ensnared in them pure torture. Last year, we observed a raccoon in our yard whose right paw was caught in a rat trap. My Mom called our local animal rescue but unfortunately, they could not be of help because the raccoon was mobile. As you can imagine, it was very disturbing to watch the raccoon walk and climb with this trap on him. We could only hope that this creature was smart enough to manage to release himself from the trap.

Please visit this website for other humane alternatives to poisons and traps:

This post began with a quote from the Native American tribe, the Arapahos. The Native Americans are great teachers of respect for nature and wildlife. Their teachings have shown us that we are all connected; subsequently, we must honor and respect all nature. Senselessly killing our wildlife is inhumane and a waste of our natural resources.

In our Backyard Habitat, we welcome all visitors and are always honored by their presence. No traps or poisons, just love for nature!