The coyote (Canis latrans) is a canid that has successfully colonized diverse environments across North and Central America. Its ability to thrive in landscapes ranging from wild territories to urban areas depends on quickly adjusting its behavior to changing conditions. The question of whether coyotes come out in the rain does not have a simple yes or no answer, as their activity level depends directly on the intensity of the precipitation and the need for food.
Activity Patterns During Precipitation
Coyote behavior changes when moisture is present, with the intensity of the rainfall being the primary determinant of movement. During light rain or a drizzle, coyotes often remain active and may even increase their foraging. A light rain can muffle the sounds of the coyote’s movement, allowing it to approach prey with greater stealth. These conditions can also make certain prey animals, like earthworms or small rodents, more accessible as they move above ground or are forced out of shallow burrows.
Activity levels decrease significantly when the weather escalates to a heavy downpour or is accompanied by strong winds. Coyotes will typically reduce their movement and “hunker down” during these severe weather events, conserving energy until the conditions improve. Once the heavy rain stops and the weather front passes, activity often spikes immediately. This post-rain period presents an opportunity to hunt prey that may be disoriented or easily found as it emerges from its own shelter.
How Weather Affects Hunting Strategy
Heavy precipitation directly interferes with a coyote’s sensory tools for hunting, dictating a change in strategy. The intense noise of a downpour or gusting wind can overwhelm their hearing, making it difficult to pinpoint the movements of small rodents. Likewise, a heavy rain washes away scent markers and trails, impairing their sense of smell.
Hunting in these impaired conditions means the energy expenditure may not be worth the caloric reward of a successful catch. Coyotes choose to wait out the storm rather than waste effort on a low-probability hunt. However, the same conditions that hamper their senses can sometimes work to their advantage. For example, flooding pushes burrowing prey like gophers and voles to the surface, creating an easy, localized food source once the worst of the weather subsides.
Seeking Shelter During Severe Weather
When weather conditions become too harsh for active foraging, coyotes seek out shelter. Their choices for shelter are varied and based on what is available in their immediate environment. Natural options include thickets of dense vegetation, rock overhangs, or existing burrows they can enlarge to fit their bodies.
In human-dominated landscapes, coyotes often utilize man-made structures for temporary refuge. They may be found sheltering beneath decks, inside abandoned sheds, or even within large concrete drainage pipes or culverts. When denning with pups, the adults prioritize the security of the young, ensuring the den is situated on high ground to avoid any risk of flooding during extended rain events.