The coyote, Canis latrans, stands out as one of North America’s most widespread and adaptable carnivores, successfully expanding its range across the continent. Once primarily restricted to the western plains and deserts, this medium-sized canine now thrives in nearly every habitat, from remote wilderness to densely populated urban centers. Determining which U.S. state hosts the largest population is complex, as definitive national wildlife censuses do not exist, and estimates often fluctuate. This article explores the state generally recognized as having the highest coyote numbers and the ecological reasons behind this success.
Identifying the State with the Most Coyotes
Wildlife experts generally cite Texas as the state with the highest total number of coyotes in the United States. While precise figures are elusive, estimates suggest the state’s population may exceed 850,000 individuals, a figure significantly higher than that of other states with large populations, such as California or Arizona. This designation is largely a function of the state’s immense geographic size and its vast diversity of suitable habitats.
The distinction between total population size and population density is important when evaluating these figures. Although large states like Texas and California dominate in total numbers, smaller states with highly productive habitats may exhibit a higher concentration of coyotes per square mile. For instance, certain regions in South Texas have historically supported some of the highest coyote densities recorded across North America.
The sheer scale of Texas, encompassing arid deserts, brush country, and extensive ranchlands, provides an enormous carrying capacity for the species. This widespread distribution across nearly every county allows the population to reach its substantial total. The state’s long history of ranching also plays a role, as the presence of livestock can inadvertently provide abundant food sources in the form of carrion and associated prey species.
Factors Contributing to Coyote Success
The coyote’s success and widespread distribution are linked to its exceptional ecological flexibility. This species is an omnivore, possessing a highly varied diet that allows it to exploit diverse food sources across different environments. Their menu includes small mammals like rodents and rabbits, insects, fruits, berries, and carrion, providing a buffer against fluctuations in any single prey population.
A major factor in their expansion across North America is a phenomenon known as mesopredator release. Historically, larger apex predators like the gray wolf and cougar kept coyote populations in check through competition and direct predation. When human-driven eradication programs removed these larger carnivores from most of their original range, the coyote was able to step into the vacant ecological niche.
The ability of coyotes to thrive alongside human development has further cemented their status as a dominant mesopredator. They readily adapt to urban and suburban landscapes, utilizing human-related resources like unsecured garbage, pet food, and abundant small prey attracted to residential areas. This tolerance for human environments means that even as wilderness areas shrink, the coyote’s overall range and numbers continue to expand.
Population Monitoring and Control Efforts
Because coyotes are elusive and widely distributed, state wildlife agencies cannot conduct a direct census to determine their exact numbers. Instead, population estimates rely on various indirect monitoring methods that measure relative abundance or activity. These methods provide a reliable index of population changes over time, rather than a precise count of every individual.
Indirect monitoring techniques include:
- Track counts, where researchers monitor passive tracking plots for coyote tracks.
- Scent station surveys, which use a lure to attract animals to a prepared plot and record their visits.
- Howl surveys, where researchers elicit a vocal response from coyotes to determine their presence and distribution in a given area.
- Harvest data collected from regulated hunting and trapping, which is analyzed to help model population trends.
State management strategies generally focus on controlling localized conflicts, particularly in agricultural areas where coyotes prey on livestock. These efforts involve regulated hunting, trapping, and targeted lethal removal programs aimed at reducing predation on vulnerable animals. However, broad, non-targeted population elimination is often ineffective due to the coyote’s biology, as removal can trigger a compensatory response where the remaining females produce larger litters.
Many state agencies also emphasize public education, encouraging residents to remove attractants like pet food and garbage to reduce human-coyote interactions. Management aims to mitigate conflict rather than eradicate the species, recognizing that the coyote’s adaptability and high reproductive rate make widespread population control an impractical goal.