Coyotes are a ubiquitous presence throughout California and are one of the state’s most successful and widespread carnivores. They are found across nearly every type of environment, from the Mojave Desert to the high Sierra Nevada foothills. Their adaptability has allowed them to colonize areas previously thought to be exclusively human territory. Understanding this wide distribution is key to promoting safe and effective coexistence with this resilient species.
Widespread Distribution Across California
Coyotes inhabit nearly every county in California, demonstrating a remarkable capacity to thrive in diverse ecological settings. Their range extends from sea level to elevations above 10,000 feet, showcasing their adaptability to different climates and habitats. Their successful expansion into human-dominated areas is a more recent phenomenon.
Coyotes are well-established in major metropolitan centers like the San Francisco Bay Area and the sprawling urban landscape of Los Angeles. They exploit features like greenbelts, golf courses, flood control channels, and railway corridors, which act as ecological highways for movement and dispersal. These fragmented urban habitats provide shelter and reliable paths between food sources.
Urban sprawl and the decline of larger predators, such as wolves, have created new opportunities for coyotes to colonize developed areas. This geographical spread means that residents in suburban neighborhoods, agricultural lands, and even dense city parks are likely to encounter them. Their success in California is a clear example of a species that has benefited from changes in land use and human activity.
Understanding Coyote Behavior and Urban Adaptation
Coyotes thrive in human environments due to their highly flexible and opportunistic diet. While their natural diet consists of small mammals like rabbits and rodents, urban coyotes readily consume human-associated foods. This includes unsecured garbage, compost, fallen fruit, and pet food left outdoors.
This shift in diet has led to a decrease in their natural wariness toward people. In the wild, coyotes are generally crepuscular or nocturnal, being most active at dawn and dusk. However, urban coyotes frequently become diurnal, or active during the day, especially when habituated to finding easy food sources in neighborhoods.
The intelligence of the coyote contributes to its successful adaptation, as they quickly learn which areas provide resources with minimal risk. Their lack of natural predators in city environments further contributes to their boldness. Research suggests that the constant influx of human-provided food may be driving evolutionary changes in their digestive capabilities.
Practical Steps for Safe Coexistence
The most effective strategy for safe coexistence involves removing attractants to prevent coyotes from associating neighborhoods with easy meals. Never intentionally feed coyotes. Ensure that all garbage and compost bins have tightly secured lids that cannot be easily tipped over, and regularly clear fallen fruit from the ground.
Pet food should always be fed indoors, and water bowls should not be left outside overnight, particularly in dry climates where water is a strong attractant. To exclude them from property, fences should be at least six feet high and include a wire apron buried 15 to 20 inches deep and extending outward, as coyotes are adept at digging underneath barriers. Sealing off access to crawl spaces and under decks also eliminates potential den sites.
If a coyote approaches or is present in a yard, “hazing” is the best way to reinforce its natural fear of humans. Hazing involves making the animal uncomfortable and teaching it that human presence is a negative experience. Techniques include yelling, waving arms to appear larger, stomping feet, or using noisemakers like air horns or whistles.
Throwing small objects near, but not at, the coyote, or spraying it with a garden hose are also effective hazing methods. Advance toward the coyote and continue hazing until it completely leaves the area. Never turn your back on a coyote during hazing, and never run, as this may trigger a predatory response.
Small pets, such as cats and small-breed dogs, are especially vulnerable, as coyotes view them as either prey or competition. Small animals should never be left unattended outdoors, even in a fenced yard, particularly during the dawn, dusk, or nighttime hours when coyotes are most active. Walking dogs on a short, six-foot leash under direct supervision is recommended, and installing motion-activated lights can help deter nighttime visits.