GOVERNMENT
environment
OUR NATURAL
LIVING WITH WILDLIFE
Every day in Greenwood Village, citizens have the opportunity to observe and enjoy an abundant variety of wildlife in Village open space,
parks, and along the trail system. Because these animals have adapted well to our rural and urban living, it is important for citizens to
understand how these animals habituate in a human environment. This will ensure citizens can still enjoy the sights and sounds of nature,
while avoiding negative interactions with wildlife that may present conflicts to personal safety and property.
spend the day in a shallow shelter.
Reproduction takes place throughout
the warmer months, and birth after a
gestation period of about four weeks.
The young are born blind and helpless
in a shallow depression of grass and
the mother’s fur.
THE RABBIT
Rabbits are distinctive with their hop
and long ears. Rabbits are about 16
inches long and weigh about 2.2
pounds. The species of cottontails
differ mostly by color and are difficult
or impossible to distinguish in the
field, except by habitat and geographic
location. Rabbits eat vegetation and
LIVING WITH WILDLIFE
VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE
Watch the Mayor’s Show on
GVTV Channel 8 or at
www.greenwoodvillage.com to learn
about a variety of species of wildlife
in the Village area and how your
family can live safely and in harmony
with these animals. Video segments
of each animal are also available at
www.greenwoodvillage.com, click on
Government Services, Police
Department, and Animal Control.
PG. 12
What Should I Do To Protect My
Landscaping From Rabbits?
Residential yards offer an abundance
of food for their survival and places for
rabbits to hide. Damage is usually the
result of feeding activities. Flower and
vegetable plants are eaten in the spring
and summer and fruit trees and
ornamentals in the fall and winter.
Exclusion
Permanent protection for gardens
subject to rabbit damage is a wellconstructed fence. Chicken wire
supported by posts every six to eight
feet is strong enough to exclude
rabbits. Such fences normally need to
be only about two feet high. It is
important to make sure the bottom is
either buried six to eight inches or
staked securely to the ground to
prevent rabbits from pushing their way
underneath it.
Tree Protection
Barriers such as commercial tree wrap
may be effective in preventing bark
damage by rabbits. Cylinders of
hardware cloth (usually selfsupporting) or poultry wire (which
may require some staking) can also be
used. These barriers are placed around
the trunks to a height equal to the
expected snow depth plus 18 inches.
Young trees and saplings are more
GV N E W S L E T T E R | J U N E 2 0 1 0
vulnerable than old trees with thicker,
tougher bark.
Repellents
• Place blood meal (purchased at
lawn and garden centers) around
your landscaping.
• Use an egg solution on your flowers
as repellent (mix one egg with one
cup of water in a blender, strain the
mixture into a spray bottle and
apply).
Scare Devices
• Scare tape or balloons might
frighten rabbits away from an area.
• Place rubber snakes in the garden.
• Reflective pinwheels might provide
a visual deterrent as well.
• Use motion activated scare devices
using water.
Habitat Modification
Planting flowers rabbits do not enjoy,
or surround the flowers you like with
the flowers rabbits do not like such as
marigold, geraniums, and impatiens.
Seal any holes under concrete areas
below decks and patios and trim
shrubs at least six to eight inches above
the ground. For a list of perennials,
annuals, and shrubs which seem to be
less attractive to rabbits, please visit
www.greenwoodvillage.com.
Wildlife Assistance Or Questions
Call Greenwood Village Animal
Control at 303-773-2525 or visit
www.greenwoodvillage.com for more
wildlife tips or to watch short videos
on a variety of wildlife in the area. If
you encounter an aggressive animal,
please call 9-1-1. GV