The coyote, Canis latrans, is an adaptable predator found across North America, thriving in diverse environments from remote wilderness to urban centers. Understanding the signs of their presence and behavioral patterns is the most effective approach for locating and observing them. This guide identifies where coyotes live, the physical evidence they leave behind, and when they are most likely to be active.
Identifying Prime Coyote Habitat
Coyotes occupy nearly any habitat where they can find food and cover. They are commonly found in “edge habitats,” transitional zones where two different landscapes meet, providing both hunting grounds and secure resting locations.
In rural settings, look for coyotes near agricultural fields, riparian corridors, and brushy hillsides. In urban areas, they utilize green belts, large parks, golf courses, and undeveloped natural areas.
Coyotes rarely dig their own dens, often repurposing abandoned burrows or using thick brush piles. Observing movement along established travel corridors is a better strategy than searching for a specific den. They frequently use human-made paths, utility easements, and fence lines as efficient travel routes.
Reading the Signs: Tracks and Scat
Identifying physical evidence is the most reliable way to confirm a coyote’s presence. Coyote tracks are generally more oval and narrower than those of a domestic dog. Their four toes are tightly aligned and point straight forward, distinguishing them from a dog’s often splayed-out toes.
The coyote’s efficient gait results in a straighter, more purposeful track line. Claw marks are typically thin, and a coyote often shows prints only for the two middle toes, contrasting with a dog’s erratic track line.
Coyote scat, or droppings, is used to mark territory. It is rope-like and tubular, measuring three to five inches in length. The contents reflect their wild diet, often containing visible hair, bone fragments, or seeds. Scat is frequently placed conspicuously on raised mounds or in the middle of trails.
Understanding Coyote Vocalizations and Activity Patterns
Coyotes are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, and throughout the night. This pattern is often an adaptation to avoid human activity, though they may exhibit more daytime activity in remote settings.
Sound is a primary tool for locating coyotes, serving as long-distance communication. Listening for these distinct calls just before sunrise or after sunset offers the highest probability of detection. A small number of coyotes can often sound like a much larger group.
Vocalization Types
Howls are used to assemble family members or advertise territory to distant rivals.
Yipping, a rapid series of high-pitched sounds, is associated with social communication within the family unit.
Barks and bark-howls are alarm or threat signals, used to warn of danger or defend a territory against intruders.
Responsible Observation and Viewing Tips
Once coyote presence is confirmed, plan for responsible observation prioritizing animal welfare and human safety. Maintaining a respectful distance is paramount; use binoculars or a telephoto lens for viewing. Never attempt to approach or feed a coyote, as intentional feeding habituates them to humans and can lead to aggressive behavior.
If a close encounter occurs, employ “hazing” to reinforce the coyote’s natural fear of humans. Hazing involves making yourself appear large, making loud noises, and waving your arms until the animal retreats. This action helps maintain separation between wildlife and people.
Avoid disturbing any potential dens or resting sites, especially during the spring when pups are present. Ethical observation practices ensure coyotes remain wary of people, which benefits both the animals and the human community.