CREATURE FEATURE / JULY 2021
THE COYOTE
OVLC has recently received some new tenants on its Ventura River Preserve. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have been seen displaying territorial behavior near some parts of the river due to a nearby den. Coyotes mate between January and March, and females usually give birth to 4-7 pups after a gestation period of 58-65 days. Births occur in underground burrows, usually on hillsides with good drainage and visibility that allow parents to keep watch for threats. After 2-3 weeks of being blind and helpless as a newborn, pups emerge near the den to play and explore. Weaning occurs at about 5-7 weeks, but parents care for the pups until they are fully grown and independent. Just like us, coyotes will protect their young at any cost to ensure their safety, so we encourage all dog owners to abide by OVLC rules and keep your dog leashed when hiking on one of our preserves. The coyote is truly a remarkable species that has adapted over time to coexist and thrive in human-modified landscapes, so let’s give them a break and give them their space! After all, OVLC is here to protect your wildlife!
IT’S UNBELEAFABLE!
Have you ever walked on the Ojai Meadows Preserve and smelled vinegar and wondered where it came from? Vinegarweed (Trichostema lanceolatum) is an annual flower in the mint family that is native to North America. Its vinegar smell is caused by oils that have phytotoxic properties, which helps the plant compete with non-native weeds. It thrives in dry, hot conditions and blossoms from spring into fall. This plant is also very sticky when touched, yet it attracts lots of pollinators like the Variable Checkerspot, Umber Skipper, and Monarch butterfly species. It is also an important summer nectar source for native bees.
