Dangerous Animal Encounters – Section 3.3.3 K9s: Coyotes



In this section you'll learn about coyote behavior, whether they're a threat and what to do if you encounter one.

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It boggles my mind that so many people are scared of coyotes. I think of coyotes as skittish fluffy little wild canines. A large eastern coyote might weigh in at just 40 lbs, which is the size of a smaller, mid-sized dog. I have had a hundreds of interactions with coyotes in my life and in each one has ended the same way: the coyote sees or becomes aware of me, gets freaked out and runs away.

Coyotes are extremely adaptable creatures and that has led to extreme survival success. Early last century there were many serious attempts to eradicate coyotes from North America, and yet there are probably more coyotes around now then there were then. They have learned to live in all types of environments and can survive on a wide variety of foods. Since they are so adaptable (unlike wolves), when human habitation expands into their range they adjust and make their homes within the borders of human cities and suburbs.

Coyotes generally feel comfortable in, and have proven they can thrive in, close proximity to humans. This has caused many conflicts between humans as coyotes as they will eat household pets, especially house cats and small dogs. It is truly unheard of for coyotes to attack humans in rural areas, however, on occasion coyotes have been know attack humans in urban settings. This is particularly true in California, where coyotes have become very habituated to human contact and human food sources. Reports of coyotes attacking humans are usually determined to be desperate or delirious animals that were sick or injured and had difficulty obtaining enough food on their own. Children are more susceptible to coyote attack in these areas, for the same reasons that they are vulnerable to other animals.

What to do if you encounter a coyote

If you encounter a coyote in the wild that does not immediately retreat and that squares off and looks directly at you. Try yelling and charging it, or throwing rocks or sticks. That is most likely to scare it off. If it did attack, fight back in the same way you would fight off a domestic dog.

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