Coyotes are not native to Florida, but they are now a common sight across the state. These adaptable canids are an established, naturalized species, successfully integrating into various Florida environments. While fossil evidence suggests an ancient presence, modern coyote populations arrived recently through natural expansion and have since thrived.
Coyote’s North American Journey
Historically, coyotes were primarily found in the prairies and arid regions of the western and central United States, Mexico, and parts of Canada. Their range was largely confined to these open landscapes before the 20th century. Around the early 1900s, coyotes began an eastward expansion across North America. This movement was facilitated by human activities, including deforestation for agriculture, which transformed dense forests into more open habitats favorable to coyotes.
The decline of larger predators, such as wolves and cougars, also played a significant role in this expansion. With reduced competition and predation pressure, coyotes extended their territories into new ecological niches. This natural process, aided by human-induced changes to the landscape, led to their eventual arrival in the southeastern United States.
Their Arrival and Spread in Florida
Coyotes began appearing in Florida as part of their natural range expansion from western states, with their presence noted in the northwestern parts of the state during the 1960s and 1970s. While anecdotal reports suggest isolated instances of human-aided translocation or escapes as early as the 1920s and 1930s, the primary driver for their widespread establishment was continuous natural movement. By the 1980s, their presence was reliably documented in numerous counties, primarily in the panhandle.
From these initial footholds, coyotes rapidly spread across the entire state. By 1990, they occupied at least 48 counties, and in recent years, their presence has been documented in all 67 Florida counties. Their adaptability allowed them to colonize diverse environments, moving seamlessly from rural areas into suburban and even urban landscapes. This widespread distribution confirms their status as a fully integrated species throughout Florida.
Life in Florida’s Ecosystem
Coyotes demonstrate remarkable adaptability to Florida’s varied ecosystems, thriving in habitats ranging from dense wetlands and pine forests to suburban neighborhoods and urban parks. Their success stems from their opportunistic nature, allowing them to utilize a wide array of resources. They are considered generalists, capable of making a home in almost any environment.
As opportunistic predators and scavengers, coyotes play a role in maintaining balanced ecosystems. Their broad diet includes small mammals like rodents and rabbits, birds, fruits, insects, and carrion. They can also prey on larger animals such as deer fawns and, in some instances, feral cats and hogs. This varied diet and their ability to adjust their feeding habits make them successful in their non-native environment.
Living Alongside Coyotes
Floridians increasingly encounter coyotes. These canids are generally shy and elusive, but they can become less wary if they associate humans with food sources. To minimize potential conflicts, it is advisable to secure trash cans and avoid leaving pet food or fallen fruit outdoors, as these can attract coyotes.
Supervising pets is also an important measure; keeping cats indoors and walking dogs on a short leash, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active, can help prevent encounters. If a coyote approaches, “hazing” it by making loud noises, waving arms, or throwing small objects towards it can help reinforce their natural fear of humans. These actions encourage coyotes to maintain their distance, promoting coexistence in shared landscapes.