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Coyote
Credit: Wikipedia

A while back, I remember seeing a coyote crossing the road less than two miles from my house.  I live in an area where there are still several orange groves and number of irrigation canals.  Along with this there are a few farms, many golf courses, and the Indian Reservation is just four miles to the north.  In other words, great habitat for coyotes.

I mention this because part of being prepared is having a plan for dealing with wild animals.  Much of this will depend upon where you live and the time of year, but learn what wild animals lurk in your neighborhood.  Contact between humans and animals can result in attacks, bites, and property damage.  Its wise to be prepared in case this happens so take wildlife encounters into consideration when making your plans.