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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Got Coyotes?

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Coyotes are exceptionally intelligent and adaptable animals. Combine that with their nature of being extremely opportunistic eaters and you have an animal with the potential to see people, especially children, as an enticing meal.

Coyote Facts

At only 35 – 50 pounds, a Coyote’s physical prowess is very impressive. They are one of the fastest members of the Canid family, reaching speeds up to forty miles per hour and can leap fourteen feet in a single bound. Their fangs measure one inch in length on average, with jaws that can exert more than 300 pounds of bite pressure.
Coyotes are primarily carnivorous, but are in fact omnivores. Since they are opportunistic feeders, they will eat darn near anything. They will eat sheep, dogs, cats, frogs, mice, vegetation, you name it. Coyotes will sometimes work in packs, but prefer to be solitary or in pairs.
Coyote attacks on people and livestock occur primarily in the spring and summer when pups need to be fed. October is also a busy month for them as the young leave their mother’s den and venture out on their own to hunt.

Coyotes do attack humans. While still very uncommon, the number of attacks is growing just as their numbers are growing in Metropolitan areas. The real question is what will be the ramifications of an unchecked Coyote population explosion in major cities across the country?
In the future Coyotes may pose a threat to people and pets on a regular basis if their populations are left unchecked. Currently, Coyotes in cities are something to be aware of only. If you see one in your neighborhood, call animal control and do not approach them. Animal control may do nothing immediately to deal with the Coyote, but it alerts them to the presence and the more calls they get, the more pressure will be on them to deal with the issue.

Coyote attacks are on the rise and the chances of encountering a coyote will likely increase.  Coyotes bear litters during April and May, with females delivering between three and nine pups.  Adult coyotes caring for young will need to forage more which can lead to increased aggressiveness.  Coyotes are wild animals that are predators.

Coyotes have attacked small pets; cats and dogs included and have attacked small children as well.    

Coyotes are prevalent in Southern CA 
Coyotes are drawn into suburban landscaped environments that can support an abundance of rodents and rabbits, and where they can utilize water sources, pet food, household refuse, and even house cats and small dogs as prey.  

 

When food and water become scare, coyotes will seek what they need in towns and cities. To keep coyotes wild or to prevent a coyote from becoming habituated to humans, it’s important that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans.

Coyotes are capable of scaling or jumping fences upwards of 5 ½ feet in height.  They can be deterred  by increasing the fence height to at least 6 feet and adding an angle at the top facing outward at 45 degrees and 16 inches wide.  (For fences over 6 feet check local fence height laws, a variance may be required).

To avoid problems with coyotes, people should follow these guidelines:
  • Never feed a coyote – Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.  In addition, people can inadvertently feed coyotes by leaving pet food or garbage where they can get it.  Feed pets indoors or promptly remove outdoor dishes, bring bird feeders in at night, store bags of pet food indoors, and use trashcans with lids that clamp shut.
  • Garbage – Spray a little ammonia in your trash can several times a week to cut the odor of food.  Place moth balls or moth ball cakes in areas where coyotes sleep or hang out to deter them from staying.
  • Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings – Reduce protective cover for coyotes and make the area less attractive to rodents.  Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, such as woodpiles and seed storage areas. 
  • Protect children – Although rare, coyotes have been known to seriously injure young children.  Never leave children unattended in areas known to be frequented by coyotes, even in familiar surroundings, such as a backyard.
  • Protect pets and livestock – Keep small pets such as cats, rabbits and small dogs indoors, especially at night.  They are easy, favored prey.  Coyotes have been known to be responsible for a large number of cat disappearances in a single neighborhood.