Hearing what sounds like a human scream emanating from the darkness can be startling. This eerie vocalization is often attributed to coyotes, highly vocal animals that communicate through a diverse range of sounds. Their calls can carry considerable distances, especially at night, leading to unease for those unfamiliar with their auditory repertoire.
Decoding the “Scream”
The sound commonly described as a “scream” resembling a woman’s cry is typically a complex vocalization produced by coyotes. It often involves a combination of high-pitched yips, yelps, and howls, particularly when multiple coyotes vocalize together in what is known as a chorus howl. The unique acoustics of these combined sounds, especially at night, can create an illusion that makes them sound similar to human distress. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the “beau geste” effect, allows a small number of coyotes to create the impression of a much larger group, amplifying the perceived noise.
Purpose of Coyote Vocalizations
Coyotes produce a wide array of vocalizations, each serving distinct purposes within their social structure and environment. One primary reason for their calls is territorial marking, where they announce their presence to other coyotes, effectively warning rivals to stay away from their claimed areas. Vocalizations also play a role in pack cohesion, helping individual coyotes locate one another, reinforce social bonds, and reunite separated family members.
This communication extends to alerting others to potential threats, indicating food sources, or signaling distress. During breeding season, specific calls associated with mating can also be heard. The “scream-like” sounds are often integrated into these communicative displays.
Beyond the Howl: Other Coyote Sounds
While the “scream” captures significant attention, coyotes possess a broad vocal repertoire beyond this specific interpretation. Their howls are long, mournful sounds primarily used for long-distance communication. Shorter, sharper sounds like yips and yelps often indicate excitement, distress, or social bonding, frequently heard during interactions among pack members or with pups. Barks are typically short, explosive sounds that function as alarm signals or warnings, indicating a perceived threat. Within closer ranges, coyotes also use whines and growls, which can convey submission or aggression, respectively, within the pack dynamic.
Living Alongside Coyotes
Hearing coyote vocalizations does not inherently signify a threat; it often indicates their presence nearby. To promote coexistence, avoid approaching or intentionally feeding coyotes, as this can lead to them losing their natural warriness of humans. Securing trash bins with tight lids and avoiding leaving pet food outdoors helps, as coyotes are opportunistic foragers attracted to accessible food sources. Protecting pets involves keeping them supervised, especially at night, and ensuring small pets are on a leash or within secure enclosures when outdoors. If a coyote appears too comfortable around humans, a technique called hazing can be used, which involves making loud noises, waving arms, or throwing small objects towards the animal to re-establish their natural fear of people.