Coyotes are present throughout Minnesota, thriving across diverse landscapes due to their remarkable adaptability. These canids have successfully expanded their range, inhabiting various environments from wildlands to areas closely associated with human activity. Their ability to adjust to different conditions has made them a widespread species.
Understanding Coyote Characteristics
Coyotes are medium-sized members of the dog family, generally weighing between 20 to 50 pounds. Their coats typically range from grayish-brown to yellowish-gray, with a distinctive black-tipped, bushy tail that usually droops low when running. They possess pointed ears and a slender muzzle, resembling a small German Shepherd.
Coyotes are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, though they can be seen during daylight hours. Their diet is highly varied and opportunistic, consisting mainly of small and medium-sized mammals like rabbits and rodents, but also including deer, birds, insects, fruits, and carrion. They use barks, yips, and howls to defend territories, coordinate hunts, and maintain social bonds within their family units.
Coyote Presence Across Minnesota
Coyotes are found throughout Minnesota, adapting to a wide array of habitats. Historically, they were more prevalent in the prairie regions of southern Minnesota, but their distribution shifted as farmlands replaced prairies. They became more common in forested areas after logging and fires created suitable small mammal habitats.
Coyotes inhabit all parts of Minnesota, including dense woodlands, open prairies, and suburban and urban fringes. Populations are increasing in southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metropolitan area, where they capitalize on available food sources and shelter. They thrive alongside human populations, utilizing green spaces like golf courses and parks.
Identifying Coyotes from Other Canids
Distinguishing coyotes from other canids in Minnesota, such as wolves, red foxes, and domestic dogs, often relies on size, physical features, and behavior. Coyotes are notably smaller than gray wolves, typically weighing 20 to 30 pounds in Minnesota, whereas adult wolves weigh between 60 to 120 pounds. Wolves also have a broader muzzle and larger, more rounded ears compared to a coyote’s narrower snout and pointed, erect ears. When running, a coyote carries its tail low, while a wolf’s tail is held horizontally.
Coyote tracks are smaller and more oval than wolf tracks, which are about twice as large and more robust. Coyote scat often contains small mammal remains, berries, or insects, and is generally smaller than wolf scat, which may include larger bone fragments. Compared to red foxes, coyotes are larger and typically grayish-brown, while foxes are smaller with reddish fur. Domestic dogs exhibit a wider variety of sizes and shapes, but coyotes can often be distinguished by their more athletic build, pointed ears, and the way they carry their tail.
Coexisting with Coyotes
Living safely with coyotes involves understanding their behavior and implementing preventative measures. Hazing techniques can deter coyotes that become too comfortable around people. This includes yelling, waving arms, making loud noises with whistles or air horns, and throwing small objects towards them without causing injury.
Securing food sources is another effective strategy to prevent conflicts. This involves keeping garbage in secure containers, feeding pets indoors, and cleaning up fallen fruit or birdseed. Unattended small pets, especially at night, can be perceived as prey, so keeping cats indoors and supervising dogs on a leash is advised. If encountering a coyote, it is important to never run, as this can trigger their chase instinct.