General Information About Coyotes | Urban Coyote Research (2023)

FAQs

What are some facts about coyote behavior? ›

When living in close proximity to humans, coyotes tend to be nocturnal but may also be active in the early morning and at sunset. In areas with little or no human activity, coyotes will hunt during the day, and when a litter of pups needs to be fed, they may have to hunt around the clock.

Noted for its nightly serenades of yaps and howls, the coyote is primarily nocturnal, running with tail pointed downward and sometimes attaining a speed of 64 km (40 miles) per hour. Coyotes are extremely efficient hunters, and their senses are keen.

Most coyotes are nervous and fear humans. Studies have seen that coyotes will naturally avoid humans in urban areas by shifting to nocturnal activity patterns when visiting urban neighborhoods. As coyotes become habituated to humans they tend to loss their fear and desire to avoid people.

The presence of coyotes in a community can be alarming to those who are not used to living with them. Occasional attacks by coyotes on pets and coyote aggression toward people (although rare) can trigger an alarm from people who fear for the safety of their pets and children.

Coyotes are generally scavengers and predators of small prey but can shift to large prey occasionally. The most common food item for coyotes is small rodents.

Swift, tough and wily, the coyote has only 2 known weaknesses: it sleeps heavily and looks back while fleeing, both of which the savvy hunter can take advantage of.

Unless they are habituated to humans, coyotes are generally shy and wary of people. Coyotes sometimes succumb to wolves, mountain lions, and bears.

Coyotes can cause damage to a variety of resources, including livestock, poul- try, and crops such as watermelons. They sometimes prey on pets and are a threat to public health and safety when they frequent airport runways and residential areas, and act as carriers of rabies.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are found through most of California. The California Department of Fish and Game estimates a population range of 250,000 to 750,000 individuals. Coyotes are very adaptable and inhabit most areas of the state with the exception of the centers of major metropolitan areas.

Coyotes eat a wide variety of food, and like most animals, prefer food that is easiest to obtain. They are true omnivores, and will eat a wide variety of foods, including rodents, rabbits, insects, lizards, snakes, vegetables, and fruits. They will also take advantage of unsecured garbage and pet food left outdoors.

What habitat do coyotes live in? ›

The coyote is found in a variety of habitats including fields, plains, and bushy areas. The coyote makes its den in a rocky crevice, log, cave, or the den of another animal. It usually doesn't dig its own den; it finds an abandoned den of a badger or a fox and enlarges it.

Coyotes don't like loud noises and flashing lights. Installing motion-sensor lights, or like, launching a night club, in your yard will help to discourage coyotes from prowling there. Your neighbors will prefer the motion-sensor lights to the raging bass and colored strobes. You've been warned.

Coyotes are not strictly nocturnal. They may be observed during the day, but are generally more active after sunset and at night. You may see and hear coyotes more during mating season (January - March) and when the young are dispersing from family groups (October - January).

This generally occurs when a coyote has been fed (in the form of handouts, pet food left outside, or unsecured garbage). Coyotes who come to depend on these sources of food may begin to approach humans looking for a handout and may begin to exhibit what's perceived as “too tame” or aggressive behavior.

Gray wolves, cougars, American black and grizzly bears, American alligators, large Canada lynxes, and golden eagles eat coyotes. Regardless of its fierce hunting skills, the coyote sure knows its boundaries regarding the food chain.

Coyotes directly or indirectly help to control disease transmission, keep rodent populations in check, consume animal carcasses, increase biodiversity, remove sick animals from the gene pool, and protect crops.

Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control. They are by nature fearful of humans. However, if coyotes are given access to human food and garbage, their behavior changes. They lose caution and fear.

Dens may consist of a hollowed-out tree stump, rock outcrop, or existing burrow made by raccoons, skunks or other medium-sized carnivores. Coyotes will also build dens from scratch by digging a hole. They usually prefer some protective cover at the den, such as bushes or trees, and some type of slope for drainage.

Free-roaming pets, especially cats and sometimes small dogs, may attract coyotes into certain neighborhoods. The best way to minimize risk to your pets is to not leave them outside unattended. Other domestic animals kept outside, such as chickens and rabbits, may also be viewed as prey by coyotes.

Coyotes can carry diseases like distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, rabies, mange, and tularemia.

What animals are coyotes scared of? ›

The most common guardian animals include llamas, donkeys, and dogs. When protecting your livestock from coyotes, a donkey would be your best bet. Donkeys are extremely aggressive towards coyotes and foxes, and will not hesitate to attack them and run them off of your property.

Cougars, wolves, grizzly bears and black bears are known to kill coyotes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Golden eagles have been known to swoop down and take young coyotes. Humans kill coyotes too, for their fur and in attempts to control their populations.

A Great Pyrenees dog is recovering after killing eight coyotes in Georgia when the animals threatened sheep on his farm. At just 21 months old, the 85-pound dog's protective instincts kicked in last month, according to his owner. "It was chaos," John Wierwille, 55, told The Washington Post about his dog, Casper.

Coyotes are attracted by bread, table scraps, seed, or even birds that come to the feeder. Secure garbage containers and eliminate garbage odors. Don't leave small children unattended outside if coyotes have been seen frequently in the area. Don't allow pets to run free.

If they get too close, they could either grab a small dog or “message” a larger dog who the coyote considers a threat to its territory or its personal space. They can only do this when they get close enough. Don't let them.

Although coyotes have been known to attack humans (and pets) and as such are a potential danger to people, especially children, risks are minimal and we feel that the majority of attack incidents could be reduced or prevented through modification of human behavior.

Coyotes aren't large, and they don't want to attack animals that are bigger than them. Since adults usually only weigh around 50 pounds, it won't be hard to make it clear you're a big scary human. Wave your arms above your head and make noise. Yell, clap your hands and tell the coyote to go away.

They can run up to 40 MPH when chasing prey. Coyotes are frequent communicators that growl, bark, wail, huff, yelp, squeal, and howl. Coyotes are territorial and mark their area with urine. Coyotes are monogamous animals - meaning they mate for life.

Coyotes are naturally timid animals and will usually flee at the sight of a human. If they linger or approach, it's time to begin “hazing.” This is a term applied to the following actions that can be taken to scare coyotes and chase them away: Be as big and loud as possible. Do not run or turn your back.