Coyotes are adaptable wild canids found across diverse environments, from rural landscapes to urban settings. Recognizing the signs of a coyote nearby can contribute to peaceful coexistence and proactive measures for homeowners, pet owners, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Listening for Their Presence
Coyotes are highly vocal animals, using a variety of sounds to communicate. Their distinct vocalizations are often the first indication of their presence. A prominent sound is the howl, a long, mournful cry that serves to announce their location or mark their territory. Howls can carry for miles, and while a single coyote may initiate a howl, multiple coyotes often join in, creating a chorus that can sound like many more animals.
Beyond howling, coyotes also employ barks and yips. Short barks often serve as warnings of danger, while yips typically convey excitement or are used during greetings among pack members. These sounds are particularly common during dusk and dawn, though coyotes can vocalize at any time of day or night. Distinguishing coyote sounds from domestic dogs involves recognizing the more varied and complex patterns of coyote calls, which often include a mix of howls, yips, and barks.
Reading the Ground: Tracks and Droppings
Identifying coyote tracks and droppings offers tangible evidence of their activity. Coyote tracks are typically more oval and slender than those of domestic dogs, measuring around 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. Their claw marks are usually visible and appear thin and sharp, sometimes described as almost needle-like, particularly for the outer toes. A unique feature is the “X” pattern in the negative space between the toes and the main pad; their toes tend to be more aligned and point forward, unlike the splayed toes often seen in dog prints.
Coyotes typically walk in a straight, efficient line, often using an overstep trot where the hind foot lands slightly ahead of the front foot, with tracks spaced about 15-22 inches apart. This contrasts with the more erratic or zigzagging patterns domestic dogs often leave.
Coyote droppings, also known as scat, are generally rope-like and tubular, measuring approximately 3 to 5 inches long and about 0.75 to 1.5 inches in diameter, often with tapered ends. The contents frequently reflect their diet, including fur, bone fragments, or plant material like seeds and berries. Coyotes often deposit scat in conspicuous locations, such as the middle of trails or on elevated spots, as a form of territorial marking and communication.
Deciphering Other Physical Clues
Beyond tracks and droppings, other physical signs can indicate a coyote’s presence. Evidence of prey remains, such as scattered fur, feathers, or partially eaten carcasses, can point to coyote activity. Coyotes typically target the throat of larger prey, and while they often consume internal organs first, they may carry their kill some distance away to a more secure location before feeding. Ragged edges on muscle tissue and chewed ribs on a carcass are also indicators of coyote predation.
Den sites are used by coyotes primarily during pup-rearing season. While direct observation of a den is uncommon, signs like excavated earth, well-worn trails leading to secluded areas, or the presence of pups can suggest a den’s proximity. Dens may be found in hollowed-out tree stumps, rock outcrops, or existing burrows, sometimes enlarged by the coyotes themselves, often with protective cover.
Scent markings, often involving urine posts on prominent objects or ground scratching, are also common. These marks are used for communication and territorial defense, with higher concentrations often found at the edges of their territories.
Coyote Habits and Preferred Habitats
Coyotes exhibit flexible activity patterns, being crepuscular (most active during dawn and dusk) and nocturnal, particularly in areas with human presence. However, they can also be active during daylight hours, especially when food is scarce or during pup-rearing.
Coyotes inhabit a variety of environments, including forest edges, open fields, suburban green spaces, urban parks, and even dense urban areas. In urban settings, they often prefer wooded patches and shrubbery that offer cover.
Seasonal changes also influence their behavior; for example, the breeding season and pup-rearing periods can lead to increased activity and visibility as they forage for food to support their young. This adaptability allows them to thrive in close proximity to human populations.