![]() ![]() ![]() It is difficult to assess coyotes' true impact on cat populations. Members of the public who own cats or are otherwise interested in cats' well-being view this function of coyotes as strongly negative. Coyotes may kill cats for food or to remove them as potential competitors for prey such as rodents and rabbits. Often pitting sections of the public against each other, coyote predation on cats is perhaps one of the most controversial aspects to the urbanization of coyotes. Perhaps because of their role as a large predator, people are sensitive to the real or perceived threat coyotes may pose to pets or children. Sometimes, just the sight of a coyote can elicit fear among people, even without any evidence of damage or antagonistic behavior. The following sections list common nuisance situations in metropolitan areas. Coyote conflicts can range from sightings to pet killings and, in rare cases, attacks on people. Coyotes have a higher survival rate in residential areas due to a lack of trapping and hunting.Īs coyotes have emerged as top predators in urban environments, so have reports of conflicts with people.In dry conditions, coyotes may seek out water available in parks, natural areas, and backyards.In some cases, urban coyotes have also learned to take advantage of human-related food such as pet food left outside and meat and fish scraps in garbage cans or compost piles.Bird feeders and fallen fruit around homes may help increase the abundance of these prey, consequently attracting coyotes to developed areas. Backyards are often sites of plentiful food sources, including mice, rabbits, squirrels, and voles.Residential areas provide year-round habitat (food, water, shelter, and space) for coyotes.Through predation on fawns, coyotes may also slow white-tailed deer population growth in high-density areas. Songbird diversity and nesting success increase in urban parks inhabited with coyotes. They generally avoid eating trash, even in urban areas.Ĭoyotes can function as a top predator in urban environments, assisting with controlling deer, rodent, and Canada goose populations. Likewise, their diets are extremely flexible coyotes are generally scavengers and predators of small prey, mostly feeding on rodents, fruit, deer, and rabbits. Consequently, some coyotes are able to thrive in urban areas with elevated human activity and minimal natural cover. Originally from the open grasslands and deserts of Mexico and Central North America, coyotes have expanded their range across North America and now are found in an increasing number of cities in the United States and Canada.ĭespite thriving in urban areas, coyotes tend to avoid humans, shifting a majority of their activity to evening hours and spending most of their time in wooded patches and shrubbery rather than in residential, commercial, and industrial areas.īecause coyotes are opportunistic creatures, their behaviors can vary from individual to individual. However, as coyote populations begin to thrive in urban areas, so have reports of conflicts with people. Consequently, many coyotes live in close proximity to people without ever being noticed. Rarely seen and occasionally heard, coyotes generally avoid humans, even when they inhabit largely urban and suburban areas. Most adults weigh 30–35 pounds (particularly large individuals weigh 40–45 pounds), although their full coats often make them appear larger. With its pointed ears, slender muzzle, and drooping bushy tail, it often resembles a German shepherd or collie.Ĭoyotes are usually grayish brown with reddish tinges behind the ears and around the face, but coloration can vary from silver-gray to black. The coyote is a medium-sized member of the dog family, which includes wolves and foxes.
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