Coyotes (Canis latrans) are adaptable and widespread predators in North America, navigating environments from wilderness to suburban neighborhoods. Their agility allows them to overcome physical barriers, a trait often underestimated by the public. Understanding their vertical leaping capability is a primary concern for homeowners and pet owners seeking to secure their properties.
The Coyote’s Vertical Leap
The maximum unassisted vertical jump of a coyote typically ranges from six to eight feet, whether from a standing position or a short run. This capability means that standard residential fences, often four to six feet high, are easily breached. The primary limitation is not the sheer height, but the grip and leverage needed to clear the top of a barrier.
A greater challenge arises when a coyote employs a two-phase climbing technique against a fence. They leap up to grasp the top edge with their front paws, then use their powerful hind legs to push their body over the barrier. This climbing-assisted maneuver significantly increases their effective range, allowing them to scale fences as high as 14 to 16 feet, especially if the surface offers footholds, such as a chain-link fence.
Factors Affecting Jumping Distance
The actual distance a coyote jumps depends on its internal state and external environmental conditions. High motivation, such as hunting prey or accessing a known food source like pet food or unsecured garbage, pushes a coyote to attempt a higher or longer jump. Conversely, a jump made while relaxed or exploring will be much shorter than one made during an escape or pursuit.
The presence of objects near a fence line can dramatically reduce the effective barrier height and is a common factor in successful breaches. Items like snow drifts, wood piles, large trash cans, or landscaping rocks act as a natural staging platform, turning a six-foot fence into a trivial two-foot hurdle.
Coyotes are also adept at the horizontal leap, using their agility to clear distances of up to 12 feet when pursuing prey or crossing a ditch or low wall. Terrain stability also plays a role, as a solid, hard surface provides a better launch point than loose soil or sand.
Physical Adaptations for Agility
The coyote’s impressive jumping ability is rooted in a highly athletic physical structure. They possess a slender, lightweight frame, with adult weights typically ranging from 20 to 40 pounds. This low body mass-to-muscle ratio is ideal for explosive movements, enabling rapid acceleration and vertical lift.
Their long, lean legs are equipped with powerful hind leg musculature containing a high concentration of fast-twitch muscle fibers, providing the necessary burst of power for a vertical launch. Coyotes are digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes, an adaptation that lengthens their stride and enhances spring action. This combination of light build and explosive power allows for the rapid, agile movements required to navigate complex terrain and clear obstacles.
Practical Exclusion: Designing Coyote-Proof Barriers
To effectively deter a coyote, a fence must counter both their jumping and climbing techniques. The recommended minimum height for a coyote-resistant barrier is eight feet, which prevents them from clearing the structure in a single, unassisted bound. However, height alone is often insufficient, as their climbing technique must also be addressed.
Modifications to the top of the fence are necessary to prevent coyotes from getting a grip and scaling the barrier. Deterrents such as “coyote rollers” (aluminum cylinders that spin freely) or a mesh extension angled outward make it impossible for the animal to secure a foothold. Because coyotes are persistent diggers, the fence base must also be secured by installing a wire mesh apron, or L-footer, buried at least 12 inches deep and extended outward from the fence line.