Wildlife
Interacting with Wildlife on Campus
Wildlife on UM-Dearborn's Campus
Amid one of the most urbanized areas in Michigan, catching sight of animal life is a unique aspect of our campus. Home to small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and possums, our campus – including the 120-acre environmental study area at the EIC – also hosts white-tailed deer, two species of foxes and the Eastern Coyote.
Guidelines for interacting with wild animals
- Take pictures
- Keep your distance
- Stay on footpaths
- Do not feed animals
Time of Year:
- We observe Coyotes year round on campus. Most remain in the Environmental Study Area but occasionally frequent the more open areas of campus.
Coyotes have been living on and around our campus for decades. However, they may appear more present during certain times of year when they are more active by day. Coyotes are active throughout the day and night,
although humans may see and hear them most frequently around sunrise and sunset.
Coyotes
If you see coyotes on campus, avoidance is the best policy. Do not alter their behavior by trying to approach them, inviting them to approach you or offering them food. Allow our wild neighbors to remain wild as we coexist together on campus.
If a coyote approaches you, make noise by clapping or yelling to scare it away. Most coyotes are naturally afraid of people and will leave if frightened. Remember, all wild animals on UM-Dearborn’s campus should be treated with respect and enjoyed from a distance. If you encounter a harmful situation involving wildlife on campus, notify DPS at 313-593-5333 immediately.
Coyotes are curious animals that often live in families and generally keep to themselves, hunting small animals like squirrels and rabbits.
For additional information on how we and coyotes can peacefully coexist, consider visiting the Urban Coyote.
Misconception
"Coyotes are aggressive"--> coyotes are typically afraid and run away from people.
Time of Year:
- Typically we observe Wild Turkeys year round. After being absent from the Dearborn area for over 100 years, we started seeing them in the campus Environmental Study Area around 2014.
Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey are curious animals that often live in groups and generally visit the bird feeders at the EIC. This is a good spot to observe turkey behavior including courtship displays in the spring.
They have been known to approach the building doors and travel in small groups around the Henry Ford Estate and by the Rouge Gateway Trail.
Please do not feed them by hand. If fed by hand Wild Turkeys can become aggressive toward people.
Time of Year:
- Typically we observe white tailed deer all year around.
- May- June female deer, does, typically give birth to their fawns. If you see a fawn DO NOT touch it.
White Tailed Deer
Deer will snort and stomp their hooves to indicate they do not want you to approach. Keep your distance and avoid approaching them so they do not feel threatened.
Male deer, bucks, rub their antlers on trees to remove a velvet like covering. They also mark their territory for other bucks to claim their area by leaving their scent on trees.
Enjoy watching deer from a distance and do not feed them. Stay on the trails to watch them.
Misconception
"If you see a fawn by itself it is abandoned"--> This is normal behavior for fawns to be left alone, they are safe and born without a scent and are extremely camouflaged.
Time of Year:
- Canada Geese can be found on campus most of the year. On occasion, they will gather in groups or mated pairs on campus lawn areas.
About Canada Geese
They feed on grass, and other lawn plants. Between nesting seasons they gather in roosting flocks on Fair Lane Lake. If they have babies, goslings, stay away! They will often hiss as a warning if approached too closely. We do not want people being chased by the geese.
Misconceptions
'Geese are mean'--> Geese are good parents, and may aggressively defend their young from many hazards.
Turtles
Turtles inhabit the lake in the Environmental Study Area. On sunny days the
y be seen basking on logs.
Time of Year:
- Typically we observe turtles laying eggs in open areas of campus from May- July.
Misconceptions
If you see a turtle on the road or park is it not lost--> It is a female that has traveled from the lake to lay its eggs in the ground.
They are vulnerable at this time to being harmed. They will hopefully be able to lay eggs and then return to the lake. If a turtle is on the road, drive around it OR wait with the animal until it safely crosses the road. If you feel comfortable pick it up from the back of the shell with two hands and put it on the other side of the road, in the direction they were already headed. Caution, Snapping turtles have a very long reach and they are capable of inflicting a damaging bite (see picture included). We do not recommend touching turtles but, make sure to wash your hands after handling turtles.
If you find a turtle digging and/or laying eggs, do not get too close. Stay at least 15 feet away, or they may feel unsafe and abandon the nest.