Wildlife in Los Feliz next door to Griffith Park
Quick Answer
Los Feliz sits beside Griffith Park, more than 4,210 acres of hills and canyons. The City lists 8 kinds of mammals in the park, from mule deer and coyotes to bobcats and mountain lions. Ornithologists have recorded over 200 bird species there, and City law bans feeding wild predators such as coyotes and raccoons.
Source: LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, LA Animal Services, Coyotes
4,210+
acres of Griffith Park
200+
bird species recorded
8
mammals the City lists
The neighbors in the hills
What official sources say about the animals you may see here.Each card names its source.
Pups born March to May
Coyotes
Coyotes are native to California and live in rural, residential and urban areas.
They help keep rodents in check. You may hear their yips, howls and barks at any hour.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coyotes, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coyote life history
Fawns born in late spring
Mule deer
Mule deer are on the City's list of Griffith Park mammals. They breed in the fall.
A doe may leave her fawn for many hours to forage and rest. If you are unsure whether a fawn needs help, call LA Animal Services.
Source: LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, LA Animal Services, Deer
Over 200 species
Birds
The City calls Griffith Park an important stopover for migrating birds and a home for wintering birds.
The park's Bird Sanctuary is at 2900 North Vermont Avenue. It is open daily from 5 am to 10:30 pm.
Source: LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, LA Recreation and Parks, Bird Sanctuary
Active spring and summer
Rattlesnakes
The western rattlesnake shares Griffith Park with gopher snakes and kingsnakes.
Fish and Wildlife says rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and will avoid people. In spring and summer they are most active at dawn, dusk and night.
Source: LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rattlesnakes
Raccoons den March to September
Raccoons, skunks and opossums
All three are on the City's list. Raccoons often move into attics and crawlspaces from March to September. Skunk litters arrive April to June.
Opossums are North America's only marsupial. Their 50 teeth are more than any other North American mammal has.
Source: LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, LA Animal Services, Raccoons, LA Animal Services, Skunks, LA Animal Services, Opossums, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Skunks and Opossums
Night insect eaters
Bats
California has 26 known bat species. A single bat can eat thousands of insects each night.
Fish and Wildlife and County Public Health both ask that no one touch a live or dead bat.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bats, LA County Public Health, About Bats
The story of P-22
The National Park Service tracked him for more than ten years.Here is what its biologists recorded.
Early 2012
Finding his way here
A Griffith Park camera trap first recorded him in early 2012. Biologists fitted him with a GPS collar that March, when he was about a year and a half old.
He was born in the western Santa Monica Mountains. To reach Griffith Park he likely crossed both the 405 and the 101.
A record home range
The Hollywood Cat
He lived in about 9 square miles of Griffith Park. NPS says it is the smallest home range ever recorded for an adult male mountain lion.
In 2015 he turned up under a home in Los Feliz. He left on his own in the early hours of the morning.
December 2022
His last chapter
Wildlife officials captured him on December 12, 2022, after noticing a change in his behavior. He was about 12 years old and had kidney disease.
He was euthanized on December 17, 2022. NPS counts him among the oldest mountain lions in its study.
Source: National Park Service, Puma Profiles: P-22, National Park Service, P-22 necropsy results
Six habits locals keep
Simple steps from the agencies that manage wildlife here.
Leave the feeding to nature
City law bans feeding wild predators such as coyotes, raccoons and skunks (Los Angeles Municipal Code 53.06.5).
LA Animal Services lists the penalty as a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
Source: LA Animal Services, Raccoons, LA Animal Services, Coyotes
Close up food and trash
Keep trash, recycling and pet food in closed bins. Set trash out on pickup day.
Pick ripe fruit and clear fallen fruit. Clean the grill after each use.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coyotes, LA Animal Services, Coyotes
Bring pets in at night
Fish and Wildlife suggests bringing pets inside at night and keeping them leashed on walks.
LA Animal Services says coyotes most often go after pets under 20 pounds.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coyotes, LA Animal Services, Wildlife
If a coyote comes close
Stand tall, wave your arms and make loud noise. Back away slowly and let it leave on its own.
Do not turn and run. LA Animal Services suggests a whistle, an air horn or an umbrella opened toward the coyote.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coyotes, LA Animal Services, Coyotes
On the trail
Stay on well-used trails and check rocks and logs before you sit. Dogs stay on leash in Griffith Park.
If you ever see a mountain lion, face it and make yourself look big. Never run.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rattlesnakes, LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mountain Lions, National Park Service, Mountain lions
Empty standing water
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Dump buckets, saucers and rain barrels, and keep pools clean.
The Vector Control District says one neglected pool can produce up to 3 million mosquitoes in a month.
Source: Greater LA County Vector Control District, West Nile virus, Greater LA County Vector Control District
Numbers worth saving
Each number is listed as the agency publishes it.For any emergency, call 911.
Wildlife concerns
LA Animal Services
For an injured, distressed or deceased wild animal in the City of Los Angeles.
Source: LA Animal Services, Wildlife
Inside the park
Griffith Park Rangers
For animal problems or an emergency in Griffith Park. Staffed from 6:45 am to 11 pm every day.
Source: LA Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, LA Recreation and Parks, Park Rangers
Report an incident
Fish and Wildlife
Report a coyote or other wildlife incident through the state's online reporting system.
South Coast Region office: (858) 467-4201
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Human-Wildlife Conflicts, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region
Snake bite
Poison Control
Call 911 and get to a medical facility right away. Fish and Wildlife lists Poison Control for bite information.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rattlesnakes
Bat contact
Veterinary Public Health
If a person or pet is bitten or scratched by a bat, call for a rabies consultation. The line is answered Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Dead crow or jay
West Nile bird hotline
The California Department of Public Health takes reports of dead crows, ravens, jays and magpies.
Source: Greater LA County Vector Control District, West Nile virus
Questions people ask us
Do coyotes live in Los Feliz?
Yes. Fish and Wildlife says coyotes live in residential and urban areas across California, and the City lists them among Griffith Park's mammals. LA Animal Services notes they are often seen on hillsides, in parks and on city streets.
Is it legal to feed wildlife in Los Angeles?
No. Los Angeles Municipal Code 53.06.5 bans feeding wild predators such as coyotes, raccoons and skunks. LA Animal Services lists a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.
What happened to Griffith Park's mountain lion?
P-22 lived in Griffith Park from 2012 until December 2022. After a change in his behavior, wildlife officials captured him and found an injury and kidney disease. He was euthanized on December 17, 2022, at about 12 years old.
Who do I call about a wild animal in Los Feliz?
Call LA Animal Services at 888-452-7381 for an injured, distressed or deceased wild animal. Inside Griffith Park, call the Park Rangers at (323) 644-6661. For any emergency, call 911.
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(818) 296-7282We recheck this guide every few months.Last checked October 2026.Rooster Homes · DRE #02051216 · 1800 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028