COUNTRY CRITTERS LOVE MAKING THEIR WAY TO TOWN.

Santa Fe is an urban area, but don't be surprised if critters head down the hills into your neighborhood.

Make that less likely, though, by taking in the welcome mat.

It's smart to bring in the bird feeder or the pet dish at night. Otherwise, a bear might pay a visit overnight to enjoy a snack at your expense.

This year, a mountain lion broke into a downtown jewelry store -- a "cat" burglar, as many a wag called it.

Around town a common critter you'll see (and most beloved to many Santa Feans) is the prairie dog. You'll see them peeking out of their burrows at city parks or scurrying about on dirt patches near street corners and sidewalks.

A city ordinance protects prairie dogs from development and requires companies to trap and relocate the animals before building near their homes.

Prairie dogs are stout, burrowing rodents of the squirrel family that feed on native grasses, roots, weeds and blossoms. They are highly social animals that communicate with one another in high-pitched barks to warn of predators.

Other critters common about town are jack rabbits, cottontails, gophers, red squirrels, the less-common rock squirrels, Abert's squirrels, weasels and horned toads.

Birds that might visit your backyard or flit past you on a hiking trail are bushtits, towhees, nuthatches, robins, jays and an incredible variety of hummingbirds. Also keep your eye out for our fleet-footed state bird: the greater roadrunner.

Even predators make their way to town, although this isn't common, last summer's mountain lion burglar aside.

If you see a predator -- a black bear, gray fox, coyote or even a mountain lion -- stay back. Remember, the critters were here first.

Trouble with a critter? Call the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at 476-8000.

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