Coyotes are adaptable wild canids known for their agility. A common concern for property owners is their ability to jump fences, as coyotes possess notable physical abilities to clear many barriers.
Coyote Jumping Capabilities
Coyotes can jump over fences up to 6 feet high, with some individuals leaping as high as 8 feet without assistance. For higher obstacles, coyotes often use a two-phase technique: they grasp the top of a fence with their front paws, then use their hind legs to propel themselves over. This method allows them to scale obstacles, including chain-link fences which provide footholds, reaching heights of 14 to 16 feet.
A coyote’s jumping ability is influenced by factors like age, health, physical condition, and motivation (e.g., seeking food or escaping danger). The type of fence material also matters; solid, smooth fences are harder to clear than those with mesh or gaps that offer gripping points.
Other Methods of Entry
While coyotes can jump, they also use other methods to bypass fences. They are natural diggers, excavating beneath barriers to gain access. Coyotes can dig at least 12 inches deep, and some may go 1 to 2 feet or deeper, especially when driven by food scent or territory desire. They often focus digging efforts directly at the fence line.
Coyotes can also squeeze through surprisingly small openings, as narrow as 3 to 4 inches, due to their flexible rib cages and slender bodies. They are also skilled climbers, particularly on chain-link fences where the mesh provides ample footholds. Even wooden fences can be navigated if they offer imperfections or gaps for traction.
Securing Your Property
Protecting property from coyotes involves implementing specific fence modifications and deterrents. To prevent coyotes from jumping directly over, fences should ideally be at least 6 feet tall. For enhanced security, many experts recommend a height of 7.5 to 8 feet. This increased height makes it significantly more challenging for coyotes to clear the barrier in a single leap.
Adding coyote rollers to the top of fences can effectively deter climbing. These devices are typically aluminum or PVC cylinders that attach to the fence and spin freely, preventing coyotes from gaining traction. Alternatively, angled extensions or outward-facing overhangs, sometimes called “coyote lean-ins,” can be installed at the top of the fence to prevent both climbing and jumping. For digging prevention, burying the fence at least 12 inches deep is recommended. An “L-footer” or wire apron, which involves burying mesh horizontally outward from the fence base, further deters tunneling attempts. Regularly inspecting fences for any gaps, damage, or weak points is also important, as coyotes are persistent in finding entryways.