| COYOTE WARNING |
| This page is dedicated in loving memory of "Rocky" one of my puppies, as an adult, who was killed by a coyote in his own backyard in New Jersey this year (2008). I had no idea how prevelant the attacks on small dogs and cats has become, especially in urban areas as the Coyote is being run out of their habitats. So I felt this page was necessary to help people identify a coyote and to provide some pertinent information on the coyote. Also to warn people of the dangers of the coyote, and what can be done to prevent an attack. |
The coyote is a wild member of the dog family. It is a very resourceful mammal that has
expanded its range significantly in the recent past, colonizing the entire Northwest. The
coyote resembles a small German Shepherd ( see pic above) with the exception that is has
a long snout and a bushy black-tipped tail. Another key difference from a domestic dog is
readily noticeable even from a distance: the coyote has a habit of holding its tail in a
horizontal position or lower while standing, walking or running.
The Eastern coyote differs from a Western coyote as it is larger and has various color
phases, including blonde, red and black. The larger size variations are partly responsible
due to the interbreeding of gray wolves with the coyote.
Coyotes adjust well to their surroundings and can survive on whatever food is available in
the area. They prey on rabbits, mice,birds, other small animals, and young and weakened
deer. They also consume carrion (tissue from dead animals). They are very tolerant of
human activities and rapidly adapt to changes in their environment. A coyote hunts during
daylight and also at night. Their sense of smell is very keen. A coyote will take advantage
of whatever food source is available including garbage, pet food, and domestic
animals.The coyote is being seen more frequently in urban areas, as they hunt for food,
being squeezed out of their natural habitats by modernization. In suburban areas coyotes
have been know to attack small pets, and attacks on young children, even though rare, are
becoming more prevelant.
Coyotes do play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations
under control. They are, by nature, very wary of humans. However, a coyotes behavior
changes if given access to human and pet food and garbage. They lose caution and fear.
They may cause property damage and threaten human and domestic animal safety.
expanded its range significantly in the recent past, colonizing the entire Northwest. The
coyote resembles a small German Shepherd ( see pic above) with the exception that is has
a long snout and a bushy black-tipped tail. Another key difference from a domestic dog is
readily noticeable even from a distance: the coyote has a habit of holding its tail in a
horizontal position or lower while standing, walking or running.
The Eastern coyote differs from a Western coyote as it is larger and has various color
phases, including blonde, red and black. The larger size variations are partly responsible
due to the interbreeding of gray wolves with the coyote.
Coyotes adjust well to their surroundings and can survive on whatever food is available in
the area. They prey on rabbits, mice,birds, other small animals, and young and weakened
deer. They also consume carrion (tissue from dead animals). They are very tolerant of
human activities and rapidly adapt to changes in their environment. A coyote hunts during
daylight and also at night. Their sense of smell is very keen. A coyote will take advantage
of whatever food source is available including garbage, pet food, and domestic
animals.The coyote is being seen more frequently in urban areas, as they hunt for food,
being squeezed out of their natural habitats by modernization. In suburban areas coyotes
have been know to attack small pets, and attacks on young children, even though rare, are
becoming more prevelant.
Coyotes do play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations
under control. They are, by nature, very wary of humans. However, a coyotes behavior
changes if given access to human and pet food and garbage. They lose caution and fear.
They may cause property damage and threaten human and domestic animal safety.
| The following guidelines can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes: ***NEVER feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk. ***Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outside can attract coyotes. The coyote feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats. ***Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over. ***Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates and times of drought. ***Keep domestic pets closely supervised and bring pets in at night. ***Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey. ***Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry and other small farm animals. ***Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles. ***Although extremely rare, coyotes have been know to attack humans. Parents should always monitor their children, even in familiar surrounding, like backyards. ***Install motion-sensor lighting around the house and any surrounding buildings. ***Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings- this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Keep in mind coyotes are also attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, like woodpiles. ***If coyotes are present, make sure they know they arae not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned aire siren, throw rocks, or spray then with a garden hose. Make sure not to go to close to the coyote for safety reasons though. ***If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact your local police and the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793. After normal business hours you can call the DEP hotline at (877) WARN-DP. copyright TrinkeTzusShihTzus2008 do not reprint or copy without the express written permission of TrinkeTzus @ www.trinketzus.com |
| Coyote Precautions: |
