Coyotes

For those of you who didn't suspect, the coyote is a member of the dog family.  In size and shape, the coyote is like a medium-sized Collie, but its tail is round and bushy and is carried straight out below the level of its back.  The coyote's tail is used in threat displays.  It becomes bushy and is held horizontally when the coyote displays aggression.

Mr. Coyote has wonderful hearing and a great sense of smell.  He can detect prey by using his acute hearing and the movement and position of his ears are used to communicate mood and rank.  Equally well-developed is his sense of smell which helps him detect prey and carrion.  It is also used to help him detect the scent of other coyote's territory markers.

Alone, in pairs, or in packs, coyotes maintain their territories by marking them with urine.  They also use calls to defend this territory as well as for strengthening social bonds and general communication.  Coyotes can easily leap an 8 foot fence or wall.  They have even been spotted climbing over a 14 foot cyclone fence.

Now for the bad news.  Coyotes are not your average dog. . .they are not to be messed with.  They are smart and they learn quickly.  They can be dangerous, and they love nothing better than cats and frequently take small dogs, also.  When walking a small dog where coyotes are known to be present, take along a walking stick or some device that can make a loud noise.  The dog should always be on a leash.  Larger dogs (35 lbs. and up) are usually not at risk to a coyote attack.  If a wild coyote bites you, report the injury to a hospital, which will notify the state department of health.  You will need to get a series of rabies shots which are expensive and painful.                                                                                  

Bottom line?  Respect the coyote and realize that there are things you can do to discourage his destructiveness.  As with the bobcat, do not purposely feed the coyote or leave your pet's food outside where the coyote can get it.  When coyotes learn to depend on humans for food they become even more dangerous because they lose their fear of humans and will no longer be the evasive, seldom seen predator.  We can live with coyotes in the neighborhood as long as we take a few common sense precautions.