QUEST on KQED Public Media.
The rocks, long known as the "Sunset Boulders", have attracted rock climbers for years. I've climbed these rocks before. But like so many other people, I had no idea I was touching history. During the Pleistocene, 10 to 20,000 years ago, this place was very different than it is today, inhabited by massive mega-fauna; bigger elephants, lions, bears and wolves, than we see today.
Sponsored Links
AAA Creature Catchers
If you need a professional wildlife trapper in San Jose, CA call 408-338-0560. Our range extends from Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, to Milpitas.
Bay Nature
A new quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful
exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay Area
and the species that inhabit them.
Coyote Ridge: Treasure of the Santa Clara Valley
Imagine a place of sweeping vistas, singing grass, wildflowers,
eagles, falcons, coyotes, but few people. All this within view
of the third largest metropolis in America. All this two
miles from an interstate highway. The hills on the eastern side
of the Santa Clara Valley, known collectively as the Diablo Range,
are made up of a rock known as serpentinite.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Field trip information. Bring your class to one of the nation's
largest urban wildlife refuges for your next field trip. It's
fun, it's interesting, and your students will remember what they
learn at the refuge for years to come. Official
site
Species
& Habitat
Endangered Species Listings Accelerate. In all, there are 162
rare species in the County, or rare species that may be affected
by projects in the County, including 11 plant species that are
locally extinct. Silicon Valley
Environmental Partnership.
Wildlife Center of Silicon
Valley
A rehabilitation and release facility. We care for injured, sick
and orphaned wild animals. 2650-B Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95111,
408.283.0744
Youth Science Institute
A natural science museum serving Santa Clara County in Northern
California with three sites, the Youth Science Institute focuses
on the delicate interrelationship of people with the natural
world. the Nature
Center at Alum Rock Park is a favorite with youngsters.
Wild Animals
Bay Area Puma Project
The Bay Area Puma Project will make a major contribution by gathering and linking habitat and physiology data. The project includes an advisory group of puma researchers and conservationists who will provide input and guidance over the course of the study.
Bobcat
A bobcat was seen January 6 in the backyard of a home on Skyline
Drive. It had killed a stray black cat, and riled the homeowners'
dog.
The
Coyote
A pack of coyotes can frequently be heard howling in the east
hills. A pack of coyotes is frequently seen and heard in Ben
Rodgers Park, where they raid the garbage cans and terrorize
pets left outside at night.
Living with California Mountain Lions
Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. But once
in awhile, Milpitans living along the east hillside have spotted
one in their back yards.
Raccoons
In urban settings, in addition to feeding on backyard fruits, nuts, and vegetables, they scavenge from garbage cans and compost piles. Pet food left outside overnight ranks high as a food resource and then, of course, some people deliberately provide food for raccoons.
San Francisco Garter Snake
Most who appreciate wildlife will agree that the San Francisco Garter Snake is California's most beautiful snake. The bright orange head, combined with dazzling black and red stripes, is impressive enough, but the pale stripes and belly are washed with the most delicate turquoise. It is just a wonderful serpent.
Tarantula
Tarantulas found in Milpitas are quiet creatures that live in
burrows. Their bite is no more dangerous to people than the sting
of a bee. Their size and hairiness, however, can give people
a fright.
Western
Diamondback Rattlesnake
These serpents should be considered armed and dangerous with
a well-developed fang and poison delivery system.
Seen other wild animals within the city or in the hills?
Contact your web host, Ann
Zeise.
