Jeffrey S. Green Assistant Regional Director USDA-APHIS- COYOTES Animal Damage Control Lakewood, Colorado 80228 F. Robert Henderson Extension Specialist Animal Damage Control Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas 66506-1600 Mark D. Collinge State Director USDA-APHIS- Animal Damage Control Boise, Idaho 83705 Fig. 1. Coyote, Canis latrans Damage Prevention and Shed lambing, kidding, and calving Toxicants usually reduce coyote predation. Control Methods M-44 ejector devices for use with Remove carrion to help limit coyote sodium cyanide-loaded plastic Exclusion populations. capsules. They are most effective Produce livestock in confinement. Frightening Agents and during cold weather (fall to spring). Repellents Herd livestock into pens at night. Livestock protection collars (LPC) Guarding dogs: Some dogs have containing Compound 1080 Exclusion fences (net-wire and/or (sodium monofluoroacetate) are electric), properly constructed and significantly reduced coyote predation. registered for use only in certain maintained, can aid significantly in states. reducing predation. Donkeys and llamas: Some are Fumigants Cultural Methods and aggressive toward canines and have Habitat Modification reduced coyote predation. Gas cartridges are registered as a burrow (den) fumigant. Select pastures that have a lower Sonic and visual repellents: Strobe incidence of predation to reduce lights, sirens, propane cannons, and Trapping exposure of livestock to predation. others have reduced predation on both sheep and calves. Leghold traps (Nos. 3 and 4) are Herding of livestock generally reduces effective and are the most versatile Chemical odor and taste repellents: predation due to human presence control tool. during the herding period. None have shown sufficient effectiveness to be registered for Snares are effective where coyotes pass Change lambing, kidding, and calving use. through or under net-wire fences seasons. and in trail sets. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994 Cooperative Extension Division Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska - Lincoln United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control C-51 Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee Shooting Aerial hunting is effective in removing Other Methods coyotes where terrain, ground Shooting from the ground is effective. cover, vegetation, regulations, and Denning: Remove adult coyotes and/ Use rabbit distress calls or mimic landownership conditions permit. or their young from dens. howling or other coyote sounds to Hunting with dogs is effective for trail- bring coyotes within shooting ing coyotes from kill sites, locating distance. dens, running coyotes, and assisting with aerial hunting or calling. Identification Habitat weaker lambs are also present. Usu- ally, the stronger lamb is on the In body form and size, the coyote Many references indicate that coyotes periphery and is more active, making (Canis latrans) resembles a small collie were originally found in relatively it more prone to attack than a weaker dog, with erect pointed ears, slender open habitats, particularly the grass- lamb that is at the center of the flock muzzle, and a bushy tail (Fig. 1). lands and sparsely wooded areas of and relatively immobile. Coyotes are predominantly brownish the western United States. Whether or Coyote predation on livestock is gener- gray in color with a light gray to not this was true, coyotes have ally more severe during early spring cream-colored belly. Color varies adapted to and now exist in virtually and summer than in winter for two greatly, however, from nearly black to every type of habitat, arctic to tropic, reasons. First, sheep and cows are usu- red or nearly white in some individu- in North America. Coyotes live in ally under more intensive manage- als and local populations. Most have deserts, swamps, tundra, grasslands, ment during winter, either in feedlots dark or black guard hairs over their brush, dense forests, from below sea or in pastures that are close to human back and tail. In western states, typical level to high mountain ranges, and at activity, thus reducing the opportunity adult males weigh from 25 to 45 all intermediate altitudes. High densi- for coyotes to take livestock. Second, pounds (11 to 16 kg) and females from ties of coyotes also appear in the sub- predators bear young in the spring and 22 to 35 pounds (10 to 14 kg). In the urbs of Los Angeles, Pasadena, raise them through the summer, a pro- East, many coyotes are larger than Phoenix, and other western cities. cess that demands increased nutri- their western counterparts, with males tional input, for both the whelping and averaging about 45 pounds (14 kg) and Food Habits nursing mother and the growing females about 30 pounds (13 kg). young. This increased demand corre- sponds to the time when young sheep Coyote-dog and coyote-wolf hybrids Coyotes often include many items in or beef calves are on pastures or range- exist in some areas and may vary their diet. Rabbits top the list of their land and are most vulnerable to attack. greatly from typical coyotes in size, dietary components. Carrion, rodents, Coyote predation also may increase color, and appearance. Also, coyotes in ungulates (usually fawns), insects during fall when young coyotes dis- the New England states may differ in (such as grasshoppers), as well as live- perse from their home ranges and color from typical western coyotes. stock and poultry, are also consumed. establish new territories. Many are black, and some are reddish. Coyotes readily eat fruits such as These colorations may partially be due watermelons, berries, and other veg- to past hybridization with dogs and etative matter when they are available. General Biology, wolves. True wolves are also present In some areas coyotes feed on human Reproduction, and in some areas of coyote range, particu- refuse at dump sites and take pets Behavior larly in Canada, Alaska, Montana, (cats and small dogs). northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Coyotes are most active at night and Michigan. Relatively few wolves Coyotes are opportunistic and gener- during early morning hours (especially remain in the southern United States ally take prey that is the easiest to where human activity occurs), and and Mexico. secure. Among larger wild animals, coyotes tend to kill young, inexperi- during hot summer weather. Where Range enced animals, as well as old, sick, or there is minimal human interference weakened individuals. With domestic and during cool weather, they may be animals, coyotes are capable of catch- active throughout the day. Historically, coyotes were most com- ing and killing healthy, young, and in mon on the Great Plains of North Coyotes bed in sheltered areas but do some instances, adult prey. Prey selec- America. They have since extended not generally use dens except when tion is based on opportunity and a their range from Central America to raising young. They may seek shelter myriad of behavioral cues. Strong, the Arctic, including all of the United underground during severe weather healthy lambs are often taken from a States (except Hawaii), Canada, and or when closely pursued. Their physi- flock by a coyote even though smaller, Mexico. cal abilities include good eyesight and C-52 hearing and a keen sense of smell. feeding and caring for the young. Coy- the site. The quantity of sheep or calf Documented recoveries from severe otes commonly hunt as singles or remains left after a kill vary widely injuries are indicative of coyotes’ pairs; extensive travel is common in depending on how recently the kill physical endurance. Although not as their hunting forays. They will hunt in was made, the size of the animal fleet as greyhound dogs, coyotes have the same area regularly, however, if killed, the weather, and the number been measured at speeds of up to 40 food is plentiful. They occasionally and species of predators that fed on miles per hour (64 km/hr) and can bury food remains for later use. the animal. sustain slower speeds for several miles Pups begin emerging from their den One key in determining whether a (km). by 3 weeks of age, and within 2 sheep or calf was killed by a predator Distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus, and months they follow adults to large is the presence or absence of subcuta- mange (caused by parasitic mites) are prey or carrion. Pups normally are neous (just under the skin) hemor- among the most common coyote dis- weaned by 6 weeks of age and fre- rhage at the point of attack. Bites to a eases. Rabies and tularemia also occur quently are moved to larger quarters dead animal will not produce hemor- and may be transmitted to other ani- such as dense brush patches and/or rhage, but bites to a live animal will. If mals and humans. Coyotes harbor sinkholes along water courses. The enough of the sheep carcass remains, numerous parasites including mites, adults and pups usually remain carefully skin out the neck and head to ticks, fleas, worms, and flukes. Mortal- together until late summer or fall observe tooth punctures and hemor- ity is highest during the first year of when pups become independent. rhage around the punctures. Talon life, and few survive for more than 10 Occasionally pups are found in groups punctures from large birds of prey will to 12 years in the wild. Human activity until the breeding season begins. also cause hemorrhage, but the loca- is often the greatest single cause of tion of these is usually at the top of the Coyotes are successful at surviving coyote mortality. head, neck, or back. This procedure and even flourishing in the presence of becomes less indicative of predation as Coyotes usually breed in February and people because of their adaptable the age of the carcass increases or if the March, producing litters about 9 behavior and social system. They typi- remains are scanty or scattered.