The Cunning Coyote What To Do If You Live In We’re Here to Help COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE Perhaps no other wild animal has endured the wrath of Coyote Country Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responsible for manag- humans while evoking such genuine heartfelt admira- ing, conserving and protecting wildlife. Your concerns tion than the coyote. Some people curse their existence; • If you live in areas where coyotes have been seen, about wildlife are our concerns as well. Living With Native Americans consider them to be the smartest PROTECT YOUR PETS! Coyotes will attack and animal on earth (“God’s dog”) and many urbanites revel kill cats and dogs. Do not allow your pets to roam, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Offices in opportunities to see and hear these vocal predators. especially at night. Make sure your yard is appro- If you have questions or problems related to coyotes, Coyotes priately fenced. We suggest at least a 6-foot fence or please contact CPW. Our offices are open Mon. – Fri., 8 Coyotes are extremely adaptable animals and rapidly better yet, keep your dog in a completely enclosed a.m. to 5 p.m. For after-hours emergencies, contact the adjust to changing conditions. In the past, wildlife man- kennel. Colorado State Patrol or your local Sheriff’s Department. agers have found that coyote populations can actually • Do not allow dogs to run with coyotes. Although it HOW TO AVOID WILDLIFE CONFLICTS expand rather than decline in response to eradication appears they are “playing,” coyotes can turn on dogs CPW Headquarters - Administrative Offices attempts. As a result, a variety of lethal and nonlethal to defend their territory. 1313 Sherman Street, Suite 618 control methods are used to manage populations and • Don’t leave pet food outside. This invites wildlife Denver, CO 80203 ...... (303) 297-1192 control damage. into your yard and problems may result. • Protect livestock, especially chickens, young calves Brush ...... (970) 842-6300 Found in most of North America, coyotes are most and sheep. Contact your local extension office for Colorado Springs ...... (719) 227-5200 abundant on the open prairie and deserts. They are com- appropriate methods to prevent depredation. Denver ...... (303) 291-7227 fortable in the country, mountains or in cities, as long as • Keep your garbage in a storage facility or in a tightly Durango ...... (970) 247-0855 there is appropriate shelter and food. As a result, people sealed container. Clean garbage cans regularly to re- Ft. Collins ...... (970) 472-4300 must be aware of their presence and take precautions to duce residual odors by using hot water and chlorine Glenwood Springs ...... (970) 947-2920 avoid conflict with them. bleach. Grand Junction ...... (970) 255-6100 Gunnison ...... (970) 641-7060 With a better understanding of coyotes and their habitat, Hot Sulphur Springs ...... (970) 725-6200 humans can coexist with these adaptable and cunning Lamar ...... (719) 336-6600 animals. Meeker ...... (970) 878-6090 Monte Vista ...... (719) 587-6900 Montrose ...... (970) 252-6000 When Coyotes Meet People Pueblo ...... (719) 561-5300 Salida ...... (719) 530-5520 A coyote’s behavior Steamboat Springs ...... (970) 870-2197 varies depending upon its environment. In the wild where they are actively hunted and trapped, coyotes are generally elusive. Near cities or in areas where hunting and trapping H er d are not allowed, coyotes J im © may be aggressive. In urban settings, they can What To Do If You Meet A Coyote lose their fear of people • Coyotes provide an enjoyable wildlife viewing expe- and may threaten do- rience. Keep your distance and do not approach the mestic pets. Although animals. Enjoy the opportunity to view wildlife. MISHLER JANE MARY & NEAL © attacks on humans are • Keep your pets on a leash when walking them. rare, there have been • If a coyote approaches you or your pet, you can cases where coyotes throw rocks or sticks to frighten it away. have attacked both • Use a loud, authoritative voice to frighten the CPW © cpw © © children and adults. animal. 6/2014 — 20,000 cpw © © MICHAEL MAURO cpw.state.co.us • Breeding occurs between January and March. Males Coyote Capsule Tell-Tale Signs are capable of breeding when they are less than one year old. The name “coyote”( Canis latrans) is derived from the • Coyote tracks are very similar to other • Pups are born from April to mid-May. The litter Aztec word “coyotl.” Coyotes are found throughout the members of the dog family. Imprints size is determined by local population density and United States (except Hawaii) and in most of Canada. show four toes and toe nails; front food availability. More pups are born when there Prior to 1900, coyotes were restricted to areas west of tracks are larger than the rear. The are low coyote densities and when food sources are the Mississippi in the United States and west of Ontario’s front tracks are 2 to 3 inches long abundant. Lake Nipigon in Canada. and 2 inches wide. Rear tracks • The female prepares the den. The male assists in the are 2 inches long and 1.5 inches raising of the young and initially supplies most of The coyote is a member of the canid family which in- wide. the food. The pups are born blind and hairless. They cludes both wolves and domestic dogs. • Their scat is variable in size and C HER begin eating meat at eight weeks of age and start consistency, depending on diet. It hunting between 8-12 weeks. The coyote’s success is attributed to the decline of wolf often contains hair, berries, bone © KEN AR KEN © • The pups disperse between November and March. populations and the coyote’s own ability to adapt. Coy- fragments and seeds. You are likely The family may hunt together temporarily in mid- otes have adjusted very well to human-disturbed envi- to find droppings along trails, atop knolls, near winter but do not form true packs. ronments, and now thrive in close proximity to people. boulders or prominent tufts of grass. Behavior • People should never approach pups or attempt to • Coyotes may be the most vocal of all land mam- take them from a denning area. Even if you see pups Coyotes are opportunistic hunters. They prey on small mals. Although most people are familiar with the • Coyotes may travel alone, in pairs or small groups. One factor that seems to affect coyote unattended, their parents are usually just a short mammals, domestic pets, livestock and domestic fowl coyote’s howl, the animal actually has a language distance away. Adults rarely abandon their young. but will readily eat carrion and plants. A coyote will that incorporates a variety of sounds. They have sociability is prey size. In populations where the adjust its diet depending on the food that is available. long, clear calls in addition to barks and yips. Their major of prey items are small rodents, coyotes vocalizations are designed to bring individuals tend to be solitary. In populations where large OM In Colorado, coyotes are classified as a game species and together or let other coyotes know their animals like deer are available, large groups of coyotes are formed. Coyotes tend to be more

may be taken year round with either a small-game or location. C MJONES. furbearer license. Landowners may kill coyotes without social during winter, when carrion is a very important food source. a license on their land if the coyotes threaten their prop- D ONAL D erty or livestock. Habitat • Females generally have a home range of a few © square miles; males wander over larger areas. • Coyotes have expanded their • They are generally nocturnal and sometimes Physical Appearance range over the last century. They diurnal. When coyotes are in close association are found in all habitats, ranging with man with no disturbance (trapping or • Coyotes range in color from near black to off-white. from grasslands and deserts to hunting), they are less timid and are frequently Coyotes in the Southwest deserts are the smallest urban areas and mountains. seen during the day. and lightest in color, whereas those in the northern • Coyotes are common in areas where • Coyotes have excellent senses of hearing and forests are the largest and darkest. Colorado coyotes rabbits, mice and gophers live. These may include smell. Coyotes are very clever predators. They are usually rust-colored with a white or gray throat lush rangelands or overgrazed pastures. have been known to kill porcupines without be- and belly. • In order to provide shelter for their pups, coyotes ing quilled. They will also use teamwork to bring • Like other predators, coyotes vary in size. The males den in a wide variety of places, including brush-cov- down prey. are larger than the females. The average size of a ered slopes, steep banks, rock ledges, thickets and coyote is 37 inches long and 18 inches high. Their hollow logs. They will also dig their own burrows. weight varies from 20 to 50 pounds. Dens of other animals are frequently used. Mating And Breeding • The coyote is distinguished by its long, narrow snout, pointed ears and general dog-like appear- • Coyotes typically pair for life. If ance. one dies, the other will look for another mate. • They are capable and will breed with domestic dogs.