Yes, coyotes are established in Massachusetts. The widespread presence of this adaptable canid frequently prompts questions from residents. The species encountered here is a unique animal that has successfully integrated itself into the diverse landscapes of the Commonwealth. Understanding its identity and habits is key to effective coexistence in both rural and urban areas.
Confirmation and Identification of the Eastern Coyote
Coyotes are definitively established in Massachusetts, inhabiting nearly every city and town, with the exception of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. This widespread establishment began in the 1950s and 1960s as the animal expanded its range eastward. The animal found here is the Eastern Coyote, a larger subspecies often colloquially termed a “coywolf.”
Genetic analysis shows the Eastern Coyote is a hybrid, possessing DNA from the Western Coyote, the Eastern Wolf, and the Gray Wolf. This genetic blend contributes to the animal’s larger size and adaptability compared to its Western counterpart. An adult typically weighs between 33 and 47 pounds, though exceptional males can reach up to 60 pounds, making them roughly the size of a medium domestic dog. They have a long, bushy, black-tipped tail that is usually carried low, and their coat color ranges from grizzled gray to reddish or blonde.
Habitat Behavior and Diet
The Eastern Coyote is an adaptable predator, thriving in environments across Massachusetts, from forest tracts to suburban neighborhoods and urban green spaces. This ability to exist near human development allows them to establish territories ranging from 2 to 30 square miles. While they can be active at any time, coyotes are typically most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, a behavior known as crepuscular activity.
Their diet is highly opportunistic, meaning they consume whatever food is most readily available. The majority of their natural diet consists of small mammals like rabbits, voles, and mice, which they actively hunt. They also scavenge on carrion, including roadkill, and consume fruits, berries, and other vegetation. Near human habitation, they prey on white-tailed deer fawns and use artificial food sources such as unsecured garbage, pet food left outdoors, and seeds from bird feeders.
Strategies for Safe Coexistence
Safe coexistence depends on minimizing attractants and reinforcing the coyote’s natural wariness of humans. Residents should secure all potential outdoor food sources to prevent coyotes from associating human areas with easy meals. This means storing garbage in secure, heavy-lidded containers and not leaving pet food outside overnight. Bird feeders should be managed carefully, as spilled seed attracts rodents, which draw coyotes closer to homes.
Protecting pets is necessary, as small dogs and cats can be viewed as potential prey. Never leave small pets unattended outside, even in a fenced yard, and ensure cats are kept indoors. If a coyote is seen, residents should use “hazing” techniques intended to make the animal uncomfortable and afraid of human presence. Effective hazing involves making loud noises, waving one’s arms, or spraying the animal with a hose.
The Eastern Coyote is classified as a furbearer species under the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). Regulated hunting and trapping seasons are established, allowing the species to be legally harvested during these periods. Hunters are required to report any harvested coyote within 48 hours to MassWildlife.