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Wildlife  

Harris Ranch continues to grow and become a thriving residential community. The community is surrounded by natural habitat along the river and in the foothills. Our mission is to conserve and restore habitat that is important for a wide variety of local flora and fauna that are unique to Idaho. 

In an effort to ensure the survival of flora and fauna, the HRWMA encourages people to respect this important habitat. When hiking in the foothills or along the Boise River, please stay on designated trails to avoid interaction with wildlife and to protect plants underfoot.  Please keep this in mind as you enjoy the Boise Foothills. Leashes are required when exercising any dogs in the foothills. Please do your part and help protect remaining wildlife and surrounding habitat!

You can learn more about local wildlife by reading the descriptions and viewing the images below.

MAMMALS

MULE DEER

Over 7,000 mule deer winter in the Boise River Wildlife Management Area, adjacent to Harris Ranch development. View this 4-minute video on deer migration in Wyoming; the deer in the Boise Foothills migrate similar distances from their summer range.

PRONGHORN         

The pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in the western hemisphere. It can run 35 miles/hour for up to 4 miles; 42 miles/hour for 1 mile; and 55 miles/hour for half a mile. It is often cited as the second fastest land animal, second to the cheetah. 


ELK

Elk seem to prefer mountainous country with mixed open, grassy meadows, marshy meadows, river flats, aspen parkland, as well as coniferous forests, brushy clearcuts, forest edges, and shrub steppe. Some populations live year-round in sagebrush desert, using grass-shrub for feeding and tall shrub  or pole timber for resting in spring. 

BIRDS

LONG-BILLED CURLEW

The long-billed curlew is the largest sandpiper in North  America. Adults have a very long bill curved downwards, a long neck and a small head; the female has a much longer bill than the male. 

GREAT HORNED OWL

This large, predatory owl is found throughout much of North and South America. Its diet consists of a mostly small mammals, but also birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It hunts mainly at night. You may see it perched majestically in a tall tree.

GREAT BLUE HERON

The largest heron in North America. This bird can often be seen standing still or walking slowly along wetlands, lakes, and riverbanks. It has a very slow and distinct form in flight.


AMPHIBIANS

At Harris Ranch, amphibians can likely be found along or near the Boise River, creeks, in wetland areas, and along or near canals. Although generally associated with wet areas, some amphibian species can range quite a distance from a given water source. 

WESTERN TOAD

They spend most of their time on land, but lay their eggs near water. They are up to 5 inches long with gray, green or brownish colored skin. They eat insects, spiders, and earthworms. 



More to Come







        

                         Wildlife Express Newsletter
                       https://idfg.idaho.gov/media/wildlife-express  


                                          

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                             https://idfg.gov/species/observations                                

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