Coyotes are wild canids found across diverse landscapes, including human-populated areas. While they typically exhibit a natural wariness of people, their behavior can change, leading to more frequent and bolder encounters.
Natural Fear of Coyotes
Coyotes generally possess a natural wariness around humans. They are shy animals, preferring to avoid direct contact and often fleeing when they encounter people. This shyness serves as a survival mechanism, keeping them at a safe distance.
These adaptable canids are often crepuscular or nocturnal, most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours to avoid human activity. This helps them navigate human-dominated environments while minimizing direct interactions. When a coyote encounters a human, its typical reaction is to retreat.
How Coyotes Lose Their Fear
Coyotes can lose their natural wariness of humans through habituation, a decreased response to human presence due to repeated contact. This learned behavior often results from increased human presence in their habitats, such as in urban and suburban areas. When coyotes become accustomed to humans, they may become bolder.
A primary factor contributing to this loss of fear is human-provided food sources. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores; readily accessible food like pet food left outdoors, unsecured trash, and compost can draw them into residential areas. Studies show urban coyotes consume significant human-related food, with some research indicating up to 38% of their diet comes from human leftovers or ornamental fruits. Intentional feeding also conditions coyotes to associate humans with food, further reducing their fear.
A lack of negative reinforcement from human encounters can contribute to habituation. If coyotes repeatedly approach human areas without being scared away, they learn that human presence does not pose a threat. This absence of deterrents can lead to bolder behavior. Parental influence can also play a role, as habituated parents may pass this fearlessness on to their offspring, accelerating the process.
Promoting Coexistence and Safety
Maintaining a coyote’s natural fear of humans is important for safe coexistence. One effective strategy involves removing potential attractants from residential areas. This includes securing trash in animal-proof containers, ensuring pet food is not left outdoors, and cleaning up fallen fruit. Cleaning outdoor grills and removing standing water sources also helps reduce attractants.
When encountering an unafraid coyote, hazing techniques can help reinforce their natural wariness. This involves making yourself appear large by waving your arms, shouting loudly, and making noise. Throwing small objects like sticks, rocks, or tennis balls towards the coyote (not at it) can also encourage them to leave. It is important to continue hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area, even if it runs a short distance and stops.
Never run from a coyote, as it can trigger their chase instinct. Instead, slowly back away while maintaining eye contact. Keeping pets safe is also important; small dogs should be kept on a leash, especially during dawn and dusk, and cats should be kept indoors. Fences at least six feet tall with extensions or rollers can deter coyotes, as can ensuring there are no accessible hiding spots like dense shrubbery or crawl spaces under decks.