Coyotes in Southern California
Identification and Biology
Canis latrans
Dog family
Resembles a small German Shepard
Longer, narrow snout
Bushy black-tipped tail
Average weight 18 – 25 pounds
Average height (at shoulder) 18 inches
Average lifespan 6 – 8 years
Breeding
Occurs Annually
Late January and February
Pups born in March and April
Litter size is normally 4 – 7 pups
Function of food availability and coyote population density Remain in a family unit for at least 6 months
By late Fall juveniles may disperse
With adequate food sources they can remain with the family unit
Space Use and Food Habits
Adaptable behaviors
Adaptable Food Habits
Coyotes can live in almost any habitat type in California Arid Deserts
Riparian Areas
Chaparral
Parks, open space, urban areas
Coyote Home Range
Larger Home Ranges where food is scarce
15 sq miles or more
Smaller Home Ranges where food is abundant
1-3 sq miles or less
When food sources are sufficient, dominant pairs may share their territory with other related coyotes Coyotes can live successfully as transient/nomads, as pairs or as family units
Coyote Diet
Opportunistic
Omnivores
Rodents and Rabbits
Insects
Fruits, berries
Garbage
Pet foods
Carrion
Unprotected small pets and livestock
NPS Coyote Diet Study
60 – 70% of diet came from human food sources.
In an urban setting 20% of the diet was cats
In a rural setting 3-4% of the diet was cats
Foraging behaviors are a function of food availability
Behavior Around Humans
Normally elusive animals that avoid contact with humans Coyotes thrive in urban areas because food, water and shelter are abundant Coyotes come to associate humans with food and protection Fed intentionally or unintentionally
No corrective behaviors – hazing
Recognizing Problem Coyote Behavior
Predictable pattern of behavior change:
Increase in coyotes on streets and in yards at night
Increase in coyotes approaching adults and/or taking pets at night Coyotes on streets, and in parks and yards in early morning/late afternoon Coyotes chasing or taking pets in daytime
Coyotes attacking pets on leash or near owners; chasing adults Coyotes seen around children’s play areas, school grounds and parks midday Coyotes acting aggressively toward adults in midday
Recognizing Problem Coyote Behavior
Attacks on pets and humans are preventable.
Area-wide corrective actions are recommended BEFORE pets are being attacked during the day; which is where Wildlife Watch comes into play.
A leadership and educational program guided by agency personnel to manage human- wildlife conflicts
Coyote Conflict Management Exclusion
Fencing - minimum 6 feet high
Install an overhang at least 18 inches or roller-type devices on top of the fencing Bury fencing 4-6 inches to prevent coyotes from digging underneath Close off crawl spaces under homes, porches, decks and garden sheds
Hazing and Behavior Modification
Hazing = using sound or visual stimuli to frighten coyotes away from the area Shouting
Throwing rocks
Squirt with water hose
Portable air horn
Must be combined with habitat management for long term effectiveness
Habitat Management
Make your property less attractive to coyotes
Clear or thin vegetation
Remove brush and dense weeds
Prune lower limbs and branches from shrubs and small trees Harvest fruits promptly
Pet Management
Feed cats and dogs indoors
Remove food and water dishes after feeding outside
Store pet food indoors
Keep small pets indoors
Large dogs should be brought inside after dark
Pet Management continued…
Always use a leash to walk your dog
Keep them close – no more than 6 ft
Carry a walking stick, cane or umbrella
Mix up your routine
Coyotes can learn your schedule
Avoid walking pets at dawn or dusk
Avoid areas of dense vegetation and cover
Pet Management - Livestock
Install quality fencing
Confine livestock and poultry dusk to dawn
Use lights above corrals
Control rodents
Be vigilant during pup-rearing season when lambs and kids are also born March - August
Never Feed Coyotes
Intentionally or unintentionally
Results in habituation – lose fear of people
Intentionally feeding coyotes puts everyone at risk
The entire community must do their part to prevent human-coyote conflicts
Responding to Coyote Aggression and Attack
Frighten it away
Shout in a deep voice – look directly in its eyes
Wave arms
Throw objects
Make yourself look larger
Stand up if seated
Spread your coat out like a cape
Do not turn your back and run
Walk slowly backward
Responding to Coyote Aggression and Attack
If bitten or scratched by a coyote
Report coyote attacks to CDFW
Seek medical attention
Risk of Rabies
Most coyotes are healthy
Rabies can be carried by coyotes
Seek post-exposure immunization
Handling a pet that has been attacked
Seek medical (veterinary) attention
Coyote saliva can pass rabies on to humans
CDFW Relocation Policy
Relocation is not used to resolve human-wildlife conflicts Moves a “problem” elsewhere
Wildlife return to their home range
Other animals quickly take their place
Spreads disease
Low survival rate when relocated
Competitors
Starvation
Vehicle strikes
Coyote Removal
Some residents or municipalities choose to selectively trap and euthanize aggressive coyotes Typically implemented by predator control professionals in suburban settings.
Coyote Management
Difference in opinions as to how government agencies should protect the public when a coyote has been declared a public safety animal.
The CDFW supports selective removal for wildlife declared a public safety threat by agencies when the totality of the circumstances is investigated.
Wildlife Watch establishes a comprehensive, integrated management strategy for minimizing human-wildlife conflicts and improving the quality of life in urban settings. The approach applies conservation and ecological principles, agency and community leadership coaching and respect for wildlife and one another. https://wildlife.ca.gov/wildlife-watch