Young cottontails, for example, as tiny as they may be, are old enough to leave the nest within a few days of opening their eyes. The same goes with mice, rats and other members of these small species. Our three largest mammals, the coyote, bobcat and cougar, stay with their families for extended periods to learn the skills necessary for survival. The young coyote will leave home at about nine months of age. This time may be a little sooner or a little later depending on acquired skills and weather conditions.
Bobcats leave home at about ten months or so.
As with the coyote and cougar, these young are almost adult-sized before they disperse. The cougar is a really late bloomer. He will not leave mom until he is 18-24 months old. I look at our huge mountain lion boy who is just shy of his second birthday and realize that, in the wild, this big oaf might still be with mommy. The purpose of this column is to help anyone with an interest in our native wild species to learn as much as possible.