Coyote

[Janet]

My son came in earlier and said it looked like there was a German Shepard in the field to the east of us. I looked with the binnoculars and it was a coyote. It would walk around for awhile and then lay down. At one time it looked as though it pounced on a field mouse or something.

Anyway, it was too far out in the field to get a picture of it, but it stayed around for about 3.5 hours out in the open and cold wind. Finally my hubby and son drove the truck through the field and it ran off. They chased it in the truck as far as the truck could go. I sure hope it doesn't come back. I'll have to be extra vigilant while letting the babies out to potty.

[Tink]

I hope they don't get too close to your buildings Janet.
We used to have coyotes chase our horses and occassionally had a cat or 2 missing that we figured they'd managed to catch.

I realize they're just trying to survive too, but I still don't care to sacrifice my pets to them.

[katepoet]

When things quiet down around here, I'd like to do some research on the problem. They are so far out of their natural habitat and the need to control them seems critical. Glad you can keep an eye on those babies, Janet. That would really worry me, too.

[judy]

It's a little scary. I'm sure you'll keep a good eye on your babies Janet.

[DianaB]

When things quiet down around here, I'd like to do some research on the problem. They are so far out of their natural habitat and the need to control them seems critical. Glad you can keep an eye on those babies, Janet. That would really worry me, too.

Kate, I don't think that coyotes have a place that is considered their "natural habitat" except for being in the country which is where Janet is. The problem is that they have probably had an over abundance of food (mice, rabbits or other small game) and their population has increased. When that happens they can become a nusiance (sp?) but the farmers and ranchers will find a way to control the population.

[katepoet]

Yes - isn't their natural habitat out west somewhere or south to southwest? I wonder what triggered their movement - human encroachment on their territory? I don't recall what was said in the article I read a few years ago. But certainly their lack of natural predator has to be an issue. The food supply abundance is interesting, too, as you say. I am just curious - call me George!

[Mandy]

Thats scary! I know you will take care of the babies when they out potty. I hope they will find somewhere else to go, and stay away from your surroundings!!

[DianaB]

I don't think of coyotes having an area that they belong to but they are associated with the southwest region but they're not limited to just that area. We have coyotes in our area and as far as I know they're pretty much all over. I would guess that you'd find them from coast to coast.

[katepoet]

When this week of insane exam work with my students blows away and I have time, I will try to remember to look into it - maybe I will send myself an email alert through google calendar! lol

Are they known to have attacked humans at all? Do they hunt in packs?

[DianaB]

I haven't heard of them attacking humans in the wild but I recently read where one in a city had tried to get a small child. Thank goodness his big brother was out there too and saved the child. Here's a link to a article where a child was attacked.

http://origin.www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2006/11/20/coyotes-edmont.html

Any animal that is out of their natural area will have strange behavior. Out in the wild there are usually enough small animals that they're not a problem but in the suburban areas and the cities they are becoming problems.

They form packs but I'm not sure if they hunt in packs or not. Here's some information on coyotes. There's even a map that shows where they can be found. I hope that this answers your questions!

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/coyote.html

[katepoet]

Great links, Diana, thank you!

[rivermom]

coyote = gun!

If I wasn't so exhausted today i'd simplify my statement more. LOL :rolleyes:

[Tink]

Since coyotes are actually wild dogs, they can breed and produce fertile offspring- the only thing preventing a widespread influx of "coydogs" is the fact that coyotes have a specific mating season (around January) and the rest of the year they're sterile. So when your females are in heat do NOT let them outside as the coyotes will come to the scent just as a neighbors dog would. Especially in January!

Another major thing when trying to keep coyotes away is not to let them find any food outside. They will come to find dog food, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, or whatever is easily available to them. Once they're used to people being around them they just get bolder... which increases the chance of problems.

If you're able to keep them afraid of you it's better for you and them. IF you find them coming in closer, make noise, act threatening and fearless and they will usually turn tail and run. Firecrackers are a great deterant.

[Janet]

Since the hubby and son chased the coyote in the truck, I haven't seen it back yet. I keep watching for it so maybe that big red truck scared it good, I sure hope so.

[Tink]

Seriously Janet, that was probably a very good move.