Daley Ranch
Daley Ranch is a 3,201 acre piece of land in Escondido. It is a conservation area of native and natural environments that play a very important part for Southern California's ecosystem. The ranch contains diverse habitats and vegetation including oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and grasslands that are homes and rest areas for many different types of mammals. Daley Ranch was once home to the Kumeyaay Indians and is now is a historical spot that allows for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding to the public
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The Daley Ranch Project's Mission
Capturing Wildlife
Figuring out what kinds of mammals live on the ranch and which habitats they prefer can be difficult as most tend to shy away from humans or are nocturnal! So how do we know exactly which mammals come to the ranch? We use what are called wildlife cameras. Wildlife cameras are just like regular cameras that take pictures, except these cameras are different as they are meant to be set up in the wild. In order to secretly capture images of animals without scaring them off these cameras are hidden and use special technology. Wildlife cameras have motion detectors and infrared sensing technology. As soon as a camera detects any motion or heat, CLICK! A picture is taken.
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MAMMALS FOUND ON DALEY RANCH
FROM A-Z
Big-Eared Woodrat (neotoma macrotis)
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There are many different types of Woodrats, but unlike the others, the Big-Eared Woodrat is a versatile animal that is able to adjust to many diverse habitats including chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, and thickets. These rats love the thick cover of trees and make stick houses and canopy nests at the base or inside of trees. There are many predators that love to eat these rats, so living under the cover of trees hides and protects them. Big-Eared Woodrats are herbivores and their favorite things to eat are oak leaves and stems. These rats are special as their bodies can handle Oak leaves' tannins and phenolic compounds that are usually dangerous to other animals.
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Bobcat (lynx rufus)
Bobcats are solitary predators that live all throughout North America These animals have adapted to Daley Ranch's oak woodland, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub habitat. The range of their home depends on the quality of the environment, the season, and whether or not they're male or female. Bobcats can usually be found near streams where vegetation and drinking water is plentiful. They are usually active during dusk or dawn in order to catch the prey they feed on. Bobcats may be as small and look as adorable as the every day house cat, but don't be fooled, these predators are carnivorous, feed on a wide-range of animals, and have the potential to take down a deer!
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Brush Rabbit (sylvilagus bachmani)
The Brush Rabbit is one of the smallest Rabbits in San Diego County. These rabbits look very much like the Desert Cottontail, however the two are different as the Brush Rabbit prefers the thick brush of chaparral habitats and avoids the desert and developed areas. Brush Rabbits are called Brush Rabbits because they tend to live near dense brush where they can stay safe away from predators. Because they like to stay hidden, these rabbits are usually hard to spot. They only come out into open areas when they are hungry and want to forage for food. They eat grasses year round, but when it is dry season they will switch their diet to herbs and shrubs.
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California Ground Squirrel (otospermophilus beecheyi)
California Ground Squirrels are a prolific species that prefer habitats with open areas. Although these animals have the word "ground" in their name and live in burrows, these squirrels like areas with boulders or piles of wood to climb. These small mammals have many predators including coyotes, mountain lions, and bobcats so they use these habitats as shelter. California Ground Squirrels are very sociable animals and will communicate with other squirrels to warn one another if any danger is nearby. They live in nests inside of burrows and because they are such friendly animals, they will share the same burrow system with other animals likes snakes or toads.
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Coyote (canis latrans)
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Coyotes are one of the most common wild animals found in North America. Coyotes have been a part of Southern California for a long time and it is all thanks to their highly adaptable skills. These animals prefer coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, grasslands, and even urban areas. Coyotes use these habitats in a variety of ways. They are very territorial and will use less space when there is plenty of food or to protect their young. When they have a hard time finding food, coyotes will expand their home-ranges in order to increase the chance of finding resources. Coyotes are omnivorous animals which makes Daley Ranch the perfect spot for them to find meals as it is the home of many different smaller mammals, like the Bush Rabbit, that are a part of their diets.
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Mountain Lions (puma concolor)
The mountain lion is San Diego County's and Daley Ranch's largest predator. Mountain lions like to visit Daley Ranch as it consists of woodland, chaparral and coastal sage scrub environments; the home of many Mule deer that mountain lions love to feed on. Mountain lions are solitary hunters who rely on the covering of brush and trees in order to be able to stalk and catch their prey. Mountain lions have large home ranges which can sometimes have detrimental effects on these animals as these ranges will take them through developed and heavily populated areas that will pose major threats to their lives. It is important to understand Mountain lion behavior and land conservation to help protect these animals.
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Mule Deer (odocoileus hemionus)
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Mule Deer inhabit most of San Diego County, including Daley Ranch. Their preferred habitat depends on the type of vegetation, the amount of water, and the quality of food provided. Because Mule Deer are herbivores, they prefer oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral environments. Mule deer tend to be in areas where there is thicker vegetation and greater rainfall as the food that Mule Deer prefer is supplied. Sadly, Mule Deer population has been limited due to several factors including, habitat loss and poor habitat quality.
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Unknown Terms
Burrows: holes or tunnels dug by small animals as a home
Conservation: the protection of Earth's natural resources
Ecosystem: community of living things and their physical environment
Infrared: a type of radiation that detects heat emissions
Nocturnal: active at night
Phenolic Compound: a chemical structure known to be toxic
Solitary: being or living alone; without companions
Tannins: a phenolic substance that comes from oak bark used to dye fabrics
Territorial: defending a territory
Conservation: the protection of Earth's natural resources
Ecosystem: community of living things and their physical environment
Infrared: a type of radiation that detects heat emissions
Nocturnal: active at night
Phenolic Compound: a chemical structure known to be toxic
Solitary: being or living alone; without companions
Tannins: a phenolic substance that comes from oak bark used to dye fabrics
Territorial: defending a territory