Coyotes, highly adaptable wild canids, are increasingly common in various environments, including urban and suburban areas. Their presence often raises questions regarding their potential for aggression towards humans. While coyotes are wild animals, serious aggressive encounters are rare. Understanding their typical behaviors and circumstances that might lead to aggression can help minimize conflicts.
Understanding Coyote Behavior
Coyotes are naturally timid creatures that generally exhibit a fear of humans. They often observe their surroundings from a distance. While often thought of as strictly nocturnal, coyotes can be active at any time of day or night, though they may become more active during nighttime hours in urban settings. They are opportunistic feeders, primarily hunting small prey like rodents and rabbits, but also scavenging various food sources.
Factors Influencing Aggression
Coyote aggression is not typical behavior and usually stems from specific environmental or behavioral factors. A primary driver of altered behavior is habituation, which occurs when coyotes lose their natural fear of humans. This loss of wariness often results from regular access to human-provided food, whether through intentional feeding or unsecured garbage and pet food left outdoors. When adult coyotes become habituated, they can pass this fearlessness on to their offspring, leading to a bolder new generation. A diet composed of human food, such as trash, can lead to more aggressive behavior.
Another significant factor influencing aggression is the protection of young or den sites. During denning season, typically February through June, coyotes become highly protective of their pups and territory. They may exhibit defensive behaviors if they perceive a threat to their vulnerable young or den, even towards humans or pets. A coyote with rabies or another illness may also act erratically and aggressively. Signs of a sick or rabid coyote include disorientation, lethargy, excessive drooling, or an unprovoked approach without fear.
Coyotes may also target pets, particularly small dogs and cats, viewing them as prey. This type of encounter is often driven by opportunity, especially if pets are unsupervised, and occurs more frequently than direct aggression towards people.
Recognizing and Responding to Aggressive Behavior
Distinguishing between a curious coyote and an aggressive one is important for appropriate response. While a coyote may stare from a distance or follow out of curiosity, signs of escalating aggression include prolonged staring coupled with a direct, unprovoked approach without retreat. Other indicators can be growling, baring teeth, raised hackles, stalking behavior, or lunging. These actions signal a coyote moving beyond mere observation into a confrontational stance.
If a coyote exhibits these aggressive behaviors, hazing can help reinforce its natural fear of humans. To haze a coyote, make yourself appear as large as possible by waving your arms and yelling loudly. You can also make noise using an air horn, whistle, or by shaking a can filled with pennies. Throwing small objects like sticks or tennis balls towards the coyote, but not directly at it, can also be effective.
Maintain eye contact while slowly backing away, never turning your back or running, as this might trigger a chase response. Continue hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area, and report any persistently aggressive coyotes to local authorities.
Strategies for Coexistence
Implementing preventative measures helps minimize aggressive encounters and promotes safe coexistence with coyotes. Securing all potential food sources is a primary step; this includes tightly securing garbage cans, refraining from leaving pet food outdoors, and promptly picking up fallen fruit from trees. Cleaning outdoor grills and securing compost piles can also reduce attractants. Bird feeders can inadvertently draw coyotes by attracting small prey animals, so removing them or utilizing seed-catcher trays is advisable.
Protecting pets requires diligent supervision, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes are often most active. Keeping dogs on a leash and supervising all pets outdoors can significantly reduce risk. Secure fencing at least six feet high and extending underground can deter coyotes.
Removing dense brush or overgrown areas where coyotes might den or hide can also help. Closing off crawl spaces under porches or sheds denies them potential shelter. Educating neighbors about these practices can foster a community-wide approach to managing human-coyote interactions effectively.