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Coyotes
Coyotes
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are a mid-sized (20-30lbs on the West coast) canine species that have expanded their range across North America as a result of human development and apex predator removal (wolf, cougar). Coyotes are omnivorous, meaning they eat many fruits and vegetables in addition to meat.
Urban Coyote Diet
Urban Coyote Diet
Urban coyote diet has been robustly studied across the United States. Most studies have found that they are predominantly eating fruits, rabbits, and other small mammals. To the right are dietary results from the Seattle Coyote Study for coyotes in Seattle. These are the results of ~1,000 scat samples that were genetically assessed for what diet items they contained and the length of a bar on the graph represents the number of times that family of species was found within those ~1,000 scat samples. Keep in mind that bigger prey items, such as cats, were likely shared by many family members and pooped out multiple times. This means that while cat looks high up on that graph, it likely represents few individual cats being killed and rather them being pooped out many times by many coyote family members. Seattle coyotes are eating a decent amount of natural foods (green), but also a lot of human foods (yellow and blue). Coyotes who have access to human food, whether intentionally or unintentionally, are more likely to get into conflicts with people as they come to associate being near humans with food rewards.
Top food items consumed by coyotes by the number of times each item occurred throughout the samples within Seattle (~1,000 samples between 2020-2022). This naturally over-inflates larger dietary items (such as cats). Human foods are displayed in yellow and blue.
Coyote Population Size
Coyote Population Size
Coyote populations are likely fairly stable across the Greater Seattle Metropolitan Area. Throughout the year they may fluctate as pups are born and disperse later in the year. Coyote family groups (packs) generally consist of a mom, dad, puppies of the year, and occasionally a yearling or two that help raise the next generation of puppies. Urban coyotes typically have between 3-7 pups every year, but many don't make it due to disease and vehicle collisions. We don't have an exact number of coyotes in the area yet, but we are working on it! Between 2021-2023, the Seattle Coyote Study genetically identified 72 individual coyotes living within Seattle city limits.
Discouraging Coyote Presence in Your Yard
Discouraging Coyote Presence in Your Yard
If you are concerned about coyotes being in your yard, there are a few ways to help deter them or at least make sure that your yard is not actively attracting them.
Fences tend to not discourage coyotes as they can easily jump over 6ft tall fences. Coyote rollers can be bought or DIY'ed and installed to make sure they can't get into a fenced area. Research has shown mixed results, but using wolf or cougar urine may discourage coyotes from entering an area. These products can be bought from a variety of different companies.
Coyotes are also attracted to food sources such as fallen fruit, rats/rabbits (that may also be attracted to fallen fruit), and compost piles/unsecured trash. To discourage coyotes from entering and staying in your yard, we suggest removing and securing all potential food sources.
If you'd like personalized help to figure out how to deter coyotes from your yard we offer services to come out to your land and create a management plan and install rollers or remove attractants.
Example of coyote rollers on a chainlink fence.
Trail cam photo of a coyote in Los Angeles with a discarded watermelon. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service.
Understanding Coyote Behavior
Understanding Coyote Behavior
It can be difficult to know what is normal or abnormal behavior from a coyote and what might be considered concerning for human safety! We've created a flow-chart to help you make sense of your coyote interactions and when it's a good idea to contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Their general reception line is: 360-902-2200. This isn't to say that what you experienced wasn't a negative experience, but to help understand when there is a threat specifically to human safety. This flow chart is not comprehensive and some experiences may still be considered concerning even if they are not on here. Each situation is also unique, and this flow chart is meant to be a generalization, but will not cover every situation accurately. If you are hurt, it is an emergency, or you have an eminent safety threat, contact 911.
Coyote Pathogens
Coyote Pathogens
As mentioned, coyotes are closely related to dogs. Pretty much any pathogens coyotes carry, your domestic dog can pick up. Because of the amount of time we spend with our pets, its important that they are healthy not just for their sake, but also for our health! Pets with potentially zoonotic pathogens pose a risk for human public health. By monitoring the pathogens in our local coyotes, we can help make sure your domestic pets and you stay safe.
Have more questions about coyotes? Click below to see if it's already been answered, or submit a question to be answered!
Have more questions about coyotes? Click below to see if it's already been answered, or submit a question to be answered!
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