Coyotes are a common, adaptable species in California. Their presence often prompts questions about their origins, but their historical roots confirm their deep regional connection.
The Native Status of Coyotes
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are native to California, inhabiting the region long before European settlement. Fossil evidence confirms their presence; Pleistocene remains, dating back 0.73 million years, have been found in southern California. These ancient coyotes were larger and more robust than modern descendants, likely an adaptation to competing with larger predators and hunting bigger prey during the Ice Age.
Indigenous accounts confirm the coyote’s deep roots in California. Native American cultures, like the Chumash, revered coyotes as intelligent, resilient figures, calling them “song dogs” and incorporating them into folklore as trickster characters. These narratives reflect a long history of human-coyote coexistence. Genetic studies provide evidence that the western half of the coyote’s range, including California, predates European settlement. Analysis of California coyotes shows minimal wolf ancestry, suggesting a distinct lineage.
California’s Coyote Population Today
Coyotes are widely distributed across California, thriving in wildlands, urban, and suburban neighborhoods. Their adaptability allows them to expand their presence, navigating human-modified landscapes. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, consuming rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, and various fruits. In urban areas, their diet often includes human-related food sources like trash and pet food, contributing to their success.
In California’s diverse ecosystems, coyotes play an ecological role as native predators. They regulate populations of rodents and other small mammals, contributing to habitat balance and biodiversity. While naturally wary of humans, urban coyotes may become less fearful due to constant exposure and available food. Coyote behavior can vary based on urban complexity, with some studies suggesting wider travel in densely populated areas.
Living Alongside Native Coyotes
Coyotes are widespread and native to California, making responsible coexistence beneficial. Securing food sources around homes is a primary step: keeping garbage in tightly closed containers, avoiding leaving pet food outdoors, and promptly picking up fallen fruit. These measures reduce attractants that can draw coyotes into residential areas.
Protecting pets is important, especially small dogs and cats. Supervising pets outdoors, particularly during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active, minimizes risk. Keeping dogs on a leash and considering secure, roofed enclosures for unattended pets provides protection.
If a coyote is seen nearby, hazing techniques (loud noises, waving arms, throwing small objects without aiming to injure) help maintain their natural wariness. These actions reinforce that human areas are not for coyotes to linger, fostering a safer shared environment.