December 2025

23 Coyotes | adaptable, opportu - nistic, and becoming a perma - nent part of the urban ecosys - tem. While often shy of humans, they’re more active at night, hunt - ing rodents, small mammals, and even scavenging near trash or pet food. Small mammals & nocturnal scavengers: raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits — often seen near green belts, creeks, and older wooded lots. Wetland species & birds: tur - tles, frogs, herons, ducks, song - birds often visible along water - ways and in restored wetlands. Pollinators & small fauna: thanks to native-plant gardens and habitat certification, but - terflies, bees, and other ben - eficial insects find refuge even inside city neighborhoods. In some cases, evidence of wildlife shows up more than the animals themselves gnawed tree trunks (beaver activity), rustling in underbrush (foxes or raccoons), or fresh tracks near muddy creek banks. Living With Wildlife — What You Can Do If you live in Charlotte and want to coexist with na- ture, here are some ideas: Consider native-plant garden- ing or getting your yard certi- fied as a wildlife habitat. Even small patches of native shrubs, flowers, and trees help pollina - tors, birds, and small mammals. Respect creek corridors and gre - enways — treat them as shared spaces, not just “nature escapes.” Keeping trash contained, dogs leashed, and lights minimized at dusk helps wildlife thrive.