Coyotes are known for their howls that can be heard in the night. This sound is often a response to hearing another coyote’s howl or a response to an intruder. Coyotes may also howl because they are playing or to communicate with other coyotes.
Coyotes are omnivores, meaning they will eat anything from berries, fruit, and insects to small rodents and carrion. They have a varied diet in the wild and can often find food in areas where other predators might not be able to.
Coyotes are known for their high-pitched howls, yips, and barks. One may think that coyotes are a nuisance or a threat to one’s safety. However, coyotes are shy and non-aggressive animals that will only attack humans if they feel threatened. Coyotes have been seen as pests because they prey on livestock and other animals. However, they are an essential part of the ecosystem.
All You Need to Know About Coyotes
Coyotes are very adaptable animals. They can survive in any environment and will eat almost anything, including other coyotes. They have even been known to prey on bigger animals like deer and small dogs.
Coyotes are pack animals that hunt in groups at night, but during the day they separate into smaller packs to hunt for food. They will hunt alone during the day if they do not have enough food for their family.
Coyotes mate in January or February and give birth in March or April to a litter of 4-12 pups. Sometimes they will mate again while the pups are still nursing, so a coyote family can have between 2 and 6 litters every year with up to 25 pups per litter! Female coyotes only live about 4-5 years while males live 10-12 years on average.
Coyotes Howling, Yipping or Barking – Is It A Problem?
Coyotes are predators that are very adaptable to their surroundings. They are native to North America and can be found in almost every state. Like wolves, coyotes are omnivores- they eat both plants and animals. Coyotes hunt small mammals, rabbits, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and sometimes fish.
They also scavenge on human food waste. Coyotes generally live in dens or caves during the winter months but have been known to den in abandoned buildings or under porches.
Coyote howling can be quite annoying for humans but is not a problem for the coyote population. Coyotes howl to warn off other coyotes from their territory and to find mates during mating season. The most common time of year that coyotes are heard howling is during late fall when they are establishing territories.
This is not an indication of an overpopulation problem because the number of coyotes can vary greatly depending on weather conditions and prey availability.
Protecting Pets from Coyotes
Coyotes are a common sight for those who live in rural areas, but they can also make their way into suburban and urban areas. As coyotes grow in population and spread throughout more populated areas, it’s important to take steps to protect your pets from these wild animals.
The first step is to keep your pet on a leash when walking them outside and avoid walking them near bushes or high grass where coyotes may be hiding.
The second step is to keep your pet indoors during the evening and nighttime hours.
Thirdly, keep your pet’s food dish inside so that coyotes cannot access it. Lastly, you should never feed coyotes as this will only encourage them to continue coming around for more food.
Protecting People from Coyotes
Coyotes are a large threat to human beings. They are one of the most dangerous animals in North America. Coyotes are often seen as a nuisance because they are attracted to garbage.
A lot of people have been attacked by coyotes, and some have even died. The best way to protect yourself from coyotes is to avoid them.
If you see one, try to get away from it as quickly as possible. If coyotes are not scared away by your presence, stay on the phone with people you know so that they can help you get away safely.
If you find yourself in an unsafe situation with a coyote, try yelling at it or making loud noises so that it will run away.
Protecting Livestock from Coyotes
It isn’t always easy to keep coyotes away from livestock. These predators can be aggressive and will kill for food. For this reason, it is important to protect livestock from coyotes. There are some things that you can do to protect them such as:
- Build a fence around the area where the livestock reside
- Keep dogs near the livestock at night
- Keep pets away from the area where the livestock reside
- Avoid feeding dogs or pets outside at night
- If you have a barn, make sure that it is well lit
- Don’t leave livestock outside at night
- Remove brush and debris from around the area where the animals reside
- Don’t leave food for coyotes or other animals near your livestock
- Don’t leave food for pets outside at night
- Bring any pets and livestock into your home at night
What Should I Do If I Find an Orphaned or Abandoned Young Baby Coyote?
It is always best to leave an orphaned or abandoned young baby coyote alone. The mother will not be far away and will return shortly to feed the young coyote. If the mother does not return after several hours, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
If you find an injured coyote, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator immediately. This will give them time to prepare for the arrival of the animal and to treat it if necessary.
What to Do If I See A Coyote?
Coyotes and other mammals that resemble them, such as foxes and wolves, are becoming more common in urban areas. They can be seen in parks, golf courses, and even residential neighborhoods at night.
Coyotes usually keep to themselves, but if one approaches you or your pet, here are some steps to take:
- Do not run! Running may trigger the coyote’s natural prey instincts and it may chase you.
- Stand your ground! If a coyote approaches you or your pet, make yourself look as big as possible. Raise your arms up to make yourself look larger, shout at it loudly with a deep voice, throw objects at it if possible.
- Make noise! Yell at the coyote loudly with a deep voice, throw objects at it if possible. Be especially cautious around children who may not understand the potential danger of coyotes.
If you are attacked by a coyote:
- Try to fight back! Kick and punch the coyote. If you are with someone else, stand back to back and fight the animal together.
- Do not run! As mentioned above, running may trigger the coyote’s natural prey instincts and it may chase you.
- Do not play dead if a coyote bites you. It will only bite you harder. Try to move away from the coyote as it will usually only attack if it feels cornered or challenged. Coyotes are more likely to attack if they have a litter of pups nearby. If you see a den in your area, notify the Department of Parks & Recreation and keep your pets inside until an officer responds to check on the den site.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to prevent coyote attacks in your yard. One way is to make sure your property is secure. Coyotes are attracted to properties with holes in the fence, an open gate, or an unprotected trash can. If you see a coyote on your property, it’s important not to go near it and to scare it off by making loud noises or throwing things at it.
You should also take steps to clean up after yourself outside so that you’re not attracting coyotes with food scraps. It’s also helpful to keep an eye on pets while they’re outside because coyotes will sometimes prey on them, particularly if the pets are small or look sickly.