Wildlife

The Natural Resources division’s work includes research, protection and public education about the varied wildlife in our parks. As part of our goal to preserve the biodiversity of parklands, we actively monitor populations of listed species that may be threatened, endangered species or in need of further research (such as the California red-legged frog, red-bellied newt and western snowy plover) in order to adapt management techniques and protect and recover these animals. We currently maintain a network of wildlife cameras that allow us to monitor populations over time and answer questions about the wildlife living in our parks.   

Our team also maps habitats to better understand wildlife's use of the landscape. This data is used to help future planning of parks and is shared with other wildlife conservation partners.  

Another crucial part of the wildlife program is to enhance habitat connectivity. Regional Parks partners with other conservation groups and members of the public to create and maintain bridges between separated open spaces throughout the park system, called “wildlife corridors.” One way to accomplish this is to remove unnecessary fencing, which allows for greater movement of wildlife over the land.

Since Regional Parks are shared by wildlife and humans alike, we have many critical initiatives that address human-wildlife interaction and conflict. There are opportunities for the public to volunteer as wildlife docents to help educate the public and comprehensive staff training. There are also educational hikes that allow park visitors to learn from experienced staff and help reduce negative interactions with wildlife in our parks.  

In general, please follow these guidelines when visiting parks:

• Please do not leave out food or water for any wildlife.
• Please keep a safe distance when photographing any type of wildlife and do not share sensitive locations, especially on social media. Learn more about ethical wildlife photography best practices.
• Please avoid disturbing natural surroundings. Even something as seemingly harmless as stacking rocks can disrupt habitat.
• Please keep dogs on leash at all times.
• Please follow Leave No Trace principles and pack all food and garbage out with you.  
• Report unusual wildlife behavior via our contact form.

Below are some tips about the most asked about wildlife species in our parks and links to blogs for more detailed information: 

Bears

• Bears are rarely encountered by park visitors, but they have been documented in over 20 of our parks. 
• Bears are not normally aggressive to humans and will generally avoid people if given the chance and have not become conditioned to human food and presence. 
• Native black bears feed mainly on fruit, nuts, seeds and insects, and pose little threat to humans.
• When camping in Sonoma County, always follow posted rules for bear safety, and use any garbage and food storage containers provided. 
• If you see a bear on a trail, stay calm, give it plenty of room and slowly back away from the area. Never surprise or approach a bear, especially one with cubs or one with a food source. Do not run as this may trigger a bear's chase response. Do not climb a tree as bears are excellent climbers. 

Learn more about bears:

• A brief natural history of black bears in Sonoma County
• How to be bear aware in Sonoma County Regional Parks
• North Bay Bear Collaborative

Mountain lions

• Mountain lions are large top predators native to Sonoma County. They play a key role in the ecosystem by controlling deer populations. They live, mate, and raise young in several regional parks.  
• As a keystone species, their actions shape the environment. They influence other predators, help reduce overgrazing by removing sick or weak herbivores and their leftover kills provide food and nutrients for other wildlife. Studies show areas with mountain lions have greater biodiversity.
• Mountain lions are sometimes misidentified as bobcats and vice versa; the easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the tail. Mountain lions have a long tails about 1/3 the length of their body whereas bobcats tails are only 5 inches long on average.
• It’s rare, but if you encounter a mountain lion, keep calm and keep your distance. Pick up small children or dogs and stay alert. Make yourself as large as you can, yell, make noise and be intimidating. Keep eye contact and do not run. If a mountain lion attacks, fight back.  

Learn more about mountain lions:

• Your safety in moutain lion habitat
• Mountain lions in your parks
• Living with lions

Rattlesnakes

• A rattlesnake has a triangular shaped head, with a tapered neck and thick body, large scales, and (unless they lose it, which they can) a rattle at the tail. Other species can impersonate a rattlesnake by flattening their head, so it’s important to use multiple identifiers.
• The Pacific Northern rattlesnake common to Sonoma County parks is venomous but it is easy to avoid by sticking to the trails and watching your step.  
• Snakes can’t regulate their body temperatures because they are cold-blooded, so they look for sunny spots to warm up after a cool night like sunny trails or open space.
• If it’s hot outside, snakes need to find sheltered places out of the sun to keep from overheating, like under logs, rocks or woodpiles. If you encounter a rattlesnake, freeze and then slowly back away when safe to do so. Rattlesnakes are not aggressive by nature and generally only strike when they are feeling defensive. Do not wave things at them because it might agitate them and do not shout because they do not have external ears.  
• If the snake does not move, it’s best to wait it out, turn back around, or bypass at a safe distance.
• Rattlesnakes don’t always use their rattles if they’re suddenly startled or if they have lost them, so don’t count on hearing them.
• If bitten by a rattlesnake, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Exertion spreads the venom faster so try to stay calm. Keep the bite about level with your heart and do not apply a tourniquet or cut the bite to get the venom out.

Learn more about rattlesnakes:

• Snakes on a trail - tips for hiking in rattlesnake country

Weasels

Long-tailed weasels live in some of our  parks. These small but fierce mustelids are fun to watch, and sometimes draw small crowds of observers, but too much human attention can harm them.

Here’s how to help keep these animals wild:  

• Stay back: Stay at least 25 feet away from small wildlife like weasels and squirrels (25 feet is MINIMUM). If they notice you, you're too close! If wildlife approaches you, make noise and appear big to scare them away. Animals used to people are at greater risk of injury and death.
• Keep your dog leashed: Keep dogs on leash to prevent conflict and injury to both your dog and wildlife.
• Never feed wildlife: Wild animals are very capable of finding their own food.
• Make your visit quick: Snap a few photos and then move on. Staying close for prolonged periods of times attracts crowds, disrupts their natural behaviors including rearing of their young, and can cause them to become too comfortable around humans.

Snowy plovers:

• The Western snowy plover is federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.
• Western snowy plovers are about 6 inches long and are often mistaken for the slightly larger sanderling.
• They are vulnerable because they rest and nest in the open on beaches and their nests are camouflaged to look like sand and are difficult to spot. Eggs may be laid in a small depression of sand or near natural materials.
• Threats include bad weather, birds of prey, land predators, off-leash dogs and human disturbance.
• Stay out of any roped off or posted areas.
• Pack out or properly dispose of all garbage.
• Dismantle driftwood structures that predators could use as perches.
• Avoid flying kites near plover nesting areas and fenced areas. 

Learn more about the snowy plover

• Western Snowy Plover at Doran Regional Park

For more information about wildlife in our parks: 

• Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Living with wildlife