Coyotes are a prevalent part of the San Diego landscape, adapting readily to environments shared with human populations. Their presence extends beyond wildlands into developed areas, making understanding their habits and safe coexistence beneficial for residents.
Coyote Presence and Habitat in San Diego
Coyotes are very common throughout San Diego County, thriving in various environments from wild open spaces to dense urban neighborhoods. They are frequently observed in canyons, suburban areas, and even urban parks and beach communities like La Jolla and Pacific Beach. The region’s topography, characterized by coastal mesas dissected by steep ravines or “canyons,” provides natural habitat islands within the urban sprawl that coyotes utilize for shelter and movement.
San Diego offers suitable conditions for coyotes due to readily available food sources and shelter. As opportunistic omnivores, their diet adapts to what is accessible, including rodents, rabbits, and fruit. Urban areas inadvertently provide additional attractants such as pet food left outdoors, unsecured trash, and fallen fruit from trees. Water sources like outdoor pet bowls, fountains, and even pools can also draw them into residential areas, especially during hot and dry periods.
Living Safely with Urban Coyotes
Minimizing attractants around homes is a key step in preventing human-coyote conflicts. Residents should avoid feeding pets outdoors or remove food bowls promptly after use, typically within an hour. All trash should be secured in containers with tight-fitting lids and placed curbside only on the morning of collection. Removing fallen fruit from yards and using enclosed compost bins, avoiding meat or fish scraps, helps reduce potential food sources. Water sources like outdoor pet bowls should also be removed.
Supervising pets closely, particularly small dogs and cats, is important as coyotes are opportunistic hunters. It is recommended not to leave pets unattended, especially at night. When walking dogs, they should always be kept on a leash, and if a coyote is spotted, small dogs should be picked up immediately. To deter coyotes from entering yards, fences should be at least six feet tall and extend at least 12 inches underground. Devices like “coyote rollers” can be installed on top of fences to prevent them from climbing over.
If a coyote is encountered, particularly one that seems to lack fear of humans, hazing techniques can reinforce their natural wariness. These include:
- Standing tall, waving arms, and yelling loudly.
- Using noisemakers such as whistles, air horns, or cans filled with pennies.
- Stomping feet or banging pots and pans together.
- Throwing small objects like sticks or tennis balls near the coyote, not directly at it.
- Spraying it with a garden hose or water gun.
It is important to continue hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area, and never to run away, as this may trigger their chase instinct. For animal-related emergencies, residents can contact the San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012 ext. 1.