Coyotes

Video: Co-existing with Coyotes

Coyotes will kill and eat domestic cats and dogs.

• Leash your dogs. Retractable leashes are NOT recommended.
• Don't leave pet food outside, as problems may result.
• Keep cats inside, or in a six-sided cat "play area" while outside.
• Store your garbage in a garage or shed. Put trash out only on the morning of trash collection, not the night before. Clean your garbage cans regularly to reduce residual odors.

What To Do If You Meet A Coyote

> Coyotes provide an enjoyable wildlife viewing experience. Keep your distance and do not approach the animals. Enjoy the opportunity to view wildlife.

> Keep your pets on a leash when walking them.

> If a coyote approaches you or your pet, you can throw rocks or sticks to frighten it away.

> Use a loud, authoritative voice to frighten the animal.

Physical Appearance

Coyotes range in color from near black to off-white. Coyotes in the southwest deserts are the smallest and lightest in color; whereas those in the northern forests are the largest and darkest. Colorado coyotes are usually rust colored with a white or gray throat and belly.

Like other predators, coyotes vary in size. The males are larger than the females. The average size of a coyote is 37 inches long and 18 inches high. Their weight varies from 20 to 50 pounds.

The coyote is distinguished by its long narrow snout, pointed ears and general dog-like appearance.

Hunting & Feeding Habits

Coyotes are opportunistic hunters. They prey on small mammals, domestic pets, livestock and domestic fowl, but will readily eat carrion and plants. A coyote will adjust its diet depending on the food that is available.

Habitat

Coyotes have expanded their range over the last century. They are found in all habitats, ranging from grasslands and deserts to urban areas and mountains.

They are found throughout the United States (except Hawaii) and in most of Canada. Prior to 1900, coyotes were restricted to areas west of the Mississippi in the United States and west of Ontario's Lake Nipigon in Canada. Found in most of North America, coyotes are most abundant on the open prairie and deserts. They are comfortable in the country, mountains or cities, as long as there is appropriate shelter and food. As a result, people must be aware of their presence and take precautions to avoid conflict with them.

In order to provide shelter for their pups, coyotes den in a wide variety of places; including brush-covered slopes, steep banks, rock ledges, thickets or hollow logs. They will also dig their own burrows. Dens of other animals are frequently used.

Behavior

Coyotes may travel alone, in pairs or small groups. One factor that seems to affect coyote sociability is prey size. In populations where the major prey items are small rodents, coyotes tend to be solitary. In populations where large animals like deer, are available, large groups of coyotes are formed. Coyotes tend to be more social during winter, when carrion is a very important food source.

Females generally have a home range of a few square miles; males wander over larger areas.

They are generally out at night and sometimes during the day. When coyotes are in close association with man, they are less timid and are frequently seen during the day.

Coyotes have excellent senses of hearing and smell. Coyotes are very clever predators. They have been known to kill porcupines without being quilled. They will also use teamwork to bring down prey.

Mating & Breeding

Coyotes typically pair for life. If one dies, the other will look for another mate.

They will breed with domestic dogs.

Breeding occurs between January and March. Males are capable of breeding when they are less than one year old.

Pups are born from April to mid-May. The litter size is determined by local population density and food availability. More pups are born when there are low coyote densities and when food sources are abundant.

The female prepares the den. The male assists in the raising of the young and initially supplies most of the food. The pups are born blind and hairless. They begin eating meat at 8 weeks of age and start hunting between 8-12 weeks.

The pups disperse between November and March. The family may hunt together temporarily in mid-winter, but do not form true packs.

People should never approach pups or attempt to take them from a denning area. Even if you see pups unattended, their parents are usually just a short distance away. Adults rarely abandon their young.

- Information provided by the Colorado Division of Wildlife

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