Diverse Group of Wild Animals in Akron Back Yard

Most of us who live in the Akron / Canton / Kent area are no strangers to the wildlife we are typically called to deal with: squirrels, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, opossums, etc.

Even though a lot of us live and work in the urban/suburban area, chances are you have known of a garbage can that’s been raided by raccoons, smelled a skunk hit by a car, or met a person who’s had squirrels get into their home.  These animal issues are not very surprising.

Populations of these animals are strong even though Summit, Stark, and Portage counties have high human populations and have a significant proportion of the land developed.

Today, though, we’d like to share some photo evidence of some other species that dwell among us…even if we don’t see them as often.  Surprising?  Take a look…

Camera in Back Yard Reveals More Than Raccoons

About a month ago we posted a blog about grubbing raccoons.  A West Akron back yard had a grub issue and, as a result, it was getting torn to shreds by raccoons.

Well, after removing a number of raccoons, Ryan noticed that some of the food offerings were still being taken.  However, no more raccoons were being captured. Specifically, bait hanging from the top of the box traps was not being touched.

To verify this bait removal wasn’t the work of raccoons and see what other species were visiting this backyard, a game camera was put to use.

Sure enough, while the camera was set up there were no raccoons photographed.

However, on the 5th, 6th, and 8th of October photos were taken of a red fox: one mugging for the camera and two with noses down probably eating the same grubs that attracted the raccoons.  We suspect it is probably the same one multiple nights, but can’t be sure.

Of course, there were deer captured on multiple days as this Akron property is close to Fairlawn Country Club and Sand Run Metro Park.

This is a good reminder to us all that as deer breeding season approaches, deer are likely to be anywhere!  No doubt we’ll soon see a story or two on the evening news of a deer running into a grocery store or some similar unexpected place.

Many cities, villages, and park systems in our area have been dealing with the complicated issue of high deer populations for years.

Akron Coyote on Camera

And then there was this great picture of an Akron coyote; who knows the camera doesn’t belong and looks directly at it.

Besides this coyote being less than a half mile from busy West Market Street on the Akron / Fairlawn border, please notice that it was just before 8:00 PM when this picture was taken.

The lights in the background are the lights from the home which was still busy with activity.

Rarely seen because they are so smart and have such attuned senses, this picture is just more proof that all kinds of wild animals adapt to us well and aren’t just “country” animals.

Nuisance Animal Control for Canton / Kent / Akron / Alliance

We hope you’ve enjoyed these pictures of some of the “other” wildlife that lives around us here in our section of Northeast Ohio every day.

Not as visible or destructive as squirrels and raccoons, stealthy species like fox, coyotes, and deer are more common neighbors than we think.