Coyotes are adaptable wild canids found in diverse environments across North America, from rural areas to urban settings. Their presence often raises questions about interactions with humans and potential conflict.
Understanding Coyote Diet and Behavior
Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, consuming a wide variety of food sources depending on availability. Their natural diet primarily consists of small mammals like rodents, rabbits, and hares. They also eat fruits, insects, fish, frogs, snakes, and carrion. In urban settings, coyotes may incorporate human-linked foods, including garbage, ornamental fruits, and domestic cats.
Coyotes are naturally wary and secretive, preferring to avoid human contact. They are often most active at dawn and dusk to minimize encounters. However, individual coyotes can lose this wariness if habituated to human presence, especially when associating people with accessible food.
Are Human Fatalities a Concern?
Fatal coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare. Only two confirmed human deaths attributed to coyotes have been recorded in North America: a 3-year-old child in California (1981) and a 19-year-old in Nova Scotia (2009). Most coyote attacks are not serious, and victims can often scare the animal away.
Aggressive behavior toward humans typically arises under specific circumstances. Coyotes may lose their natural fear and approach people if habituated, often due to feeding. They might also act defensively when protecting pups or a den site. Rabies can also induce abnormal aggression, though such attacks are uncommon.
Mitigating Risk and Staying Safe
Preventing negative interactions involves eliminating food sources that attract coyotes. Secure garbage bins, remove fallen fruit, and keep pet food indoors. These measures discourage coyotes from residential areas.
Supervise pets, as unattended animals can become opportunistic prey. Keep cats indoors and dogs on leashes, especially at dawn and dusk. Fencing yards can also help, particularly if fences are at least six feet tall and extend underground to prevent digging.
If a coyote approaches or exhibits aggressive behavior, practice “hazing” to reinforce its natural fear. Make yourself appear large by standing tall and waving arms, shouting loudly, and throwing objects toward the animal. Never run, as this can trigger a chase response. Continue hazing until the coyote leaves. Report any persistent or aggressive coyote behavior to local authorities.