Coyotes, highly adaptable carnivores, are now commonly found across North America, from rural landscapes to bustling cities. Their presence often sparks a question: are these resilient animals considered an invasive species? The answer requires understanding ecological definitions and the coyote’s natural history.
Understanding Invasive Species
An invasive species is defined as a non-native organism whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic, environmental, or human health harm. This definition requires two components: the species must be non-native to the ecosystem, and it must inflict significant negative impacts. For example, domestic cows are non-native to North America but are not invasive because they cause no defined harm. Similarly, a native species can become a pest, but it is not invasive because it is not non-native.
The Coyote’s Expanding Territory
Historically, coyotes were primarily restricted to the prairies and desert areas of Mexico and the western two-thirds of North America. Around 1900, coyotes began a remarkable expansion, moving northward, eastward, and southward. This dramatic spread was largely facilitated by human activities like deforestation and conversion of forests into agricultural areas, creating preferred open habitats.
The widespread removal of larger apex predators, such as wolves and cougars, also reduced competition and predation risk for coyotes. This allowed them to expand their niche and thrive. Their inherent adaptability to diverse habitats, including urban environments, further contributed to their successful colonization of new areas. In some eastern regions, hybridization with wolves and domestic dogs also played a role in their expansion and adaptation.
Coyote Impact on Ecosystems
Coyotes typically function as mesopredators, or mid-ranking predators. Where larger predators like wolves have been removed, coyotes can become the dominant predator, a phenomenon known as mesopredator release. Their presence offers several ecological benefits. They regulate populations of smaller mesopredators like skunks, raccoons, and foxes, which can increase nesting success for ground-nesting birds and enhance biodiversity.
Coyotes also control rodent and rabbit populations, benefiting agricultural areas and reducing disease spread. As opportunistic scavengers, coyotes contribute to ecosystem health by cleaning up carrion, which helps recycle nutrients. Their dietary flexibility allows them to consume a wide range of food sources, including small mammals, birds, fruits, and insects, adapting to what is most available.
Despite benefits, coyotes can lead to conflicts as their populations expand into human-dominated areas. They may prey on livestock, causing economic losses for farmers and ranchers. Conflicts also arise from coyotes preying on pets, particularly small dogs and cats. While their impact on abundant deer populations is often minimal, coyotes can negatively affect vulnerable native species, such as black-footed ferrets and ground-nesting birds, in areas with low prey numbers.
In urban environments, coyotes often become habituated to human presence and readily available food sources like garbage, outdoor pet food, and ornamental fruits. Their diet includes natural prey alongside human-derived foods. However, because coyotes are native to North America and their expansion results from adaptability to human-altered landscapes and reduced competition, they do not meet the “non-native” criterion for an invasive species. Their impacts, whether beneficial or detrimental, vary significantly depending on the ecosystem and local conditions.
Coexisting with Coyotes
Effective coexistence strategies are important for minimizing conflicts with coyotes. A primary approach involves removing potential food attractants from residential areas. Secure pet food, trash, and compost bins to prevent coyotes from accessing easy meals. Avoid intentionally feeding any wildlife, as this can cause coyotes to lose their natural wariness of humans.
Pet owners should keep small pets and cats indoors, especially from dusk to dawn, or securely enclosed when outdoors. Removing fallen fruit from yards also reduces coyote foraging opportunities. If a coyote appears too close or shows boldness, hazing techniques can re-establish their natural fear of humans. This involves being loud and appearing large, such as yelling, waving your arms, or using noisemakers. Throwing small objects towards the coyote (not at them) or spraying them with water can also be effective. Continue hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area.