As odd as it may seem, coyotes are showing up in cities with surprising frequency, abandoning their natural habitat for the comforts of city and suburban living. Often disparaging animals have no intention of abandoning their new habitats. Why are coyotes moving into urban areas, and how can people get along with their wild neighbors?
Experts chalk up the higher numbers of coyotes to a decrease in the number of people hunting coyotes for their pelts and the near-extermination of wolves--coyotes' natural enemy.
The key to coyotes' success, says Gehrt, is their adaptability. "Coyotes love to hunt in their natural habitat, but they're not dependent upon it," he says. The animals are opportunistic feeders and are just as likely to eat food and garbage left outdoors as eat traditional prey.
HOT ON THE TRAIL
Despite living in close proximity, people and coyotes rarely encounter each other. That's because coyotes are primarily nocturnal. They hide during the day and come out after dusk.
Coyotes also have a natural fear of humans and will do their best to avoid them. So although the animals commonly live in urban and suburban areas, most people aren't even aware that they're there.
Gehrt, who has been studying coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area “Chicagoland” redirects here. For for the racing venue, see Chicagoland Speedway.
These techniques have enabled Gehrt to learn all about one collared female coyote that has otherwise lived undetected near a bustling suburban post office. "Hundreds of people pass by on a daily basis and have no idea she's there," he says.
As quiet animals that keep to themselves, coyotes sound like good neighbors. So should people be wary of living with them?
As long as people leave coyotes alone, scientists say they have little to fear. But problems can arise when people start to interfere with wild coyotes' natural habits.
Paul Krausman, a professor of wildlife conservation at the University explains that some people accidentally attract coyotes by leaving pet food or garbage outdoors. Others, hoping to catch a glimpse Verb 1. catch a glimpse - see something for a brief time catch sight, get a look
Once coyotes begin to associate people with food sources, they lose their natural fear of humans. When this happens, coyotes run the risk of becoming nuisance animals that may have to be relocated or even destroyed to prevent negative interactions with people.
"We're essentially setting the table for them and then saying that they're not invited," says Krausman. "We have to understand that these are wild animals WILD ANIMALS. Animals in a state of nature; animals ferae naturae. Vide Animals; Ferae naturae. . Our help isn't in coyotes' best interests."
According to wildlife experts, education is vital if people and coyotes are to live peacefully together. "Coyotes are our neighbors," says Gehrt. "But what kind of neighbors coyotes are going to be depends on us."
GETTING ALONG WITH COYOTES
Coyotes are wild animals and should be treated that way. Here are some tips to help people and coyotes coexist peacefully:
* DO NOT feed coyotes. Keep all pet food and water inside at night, and secure your garbage cans.
* Always keep your pets on a leash. Do not leave cats and small dogs outside at night.
* Do not tolerate coyotes that enter your yard. Scare them away by yelling, waving your arms, or banging pots and pans.
* Where do coyotes live? What do they eat?
* How might you react if you were to see a coyote in your neighborhood?
DID YOU KNOW?
* Coyotes are monogamous; they mate for life. Coyote parents raise their pups together until the babies are approximately one year old.
* Coyote pups are born blind. They open their eyes to see when they are about 10 days old.
* Coyotes can live for up to 10 years in the wild and 18 years in captivity. Approximately 30 to 50 percent of all adult coyotes die each year. Many die from disease, starvation, and predation predation
Form of food getting in which one animal, the predator, eats an animal of another species, the prey, immediately after killing it or, in some cases, while it is still alive. Most predators are generalists; they eat a variety of prey species. . But most coyote deaths are due to human activities, including hunting, trapping, and vehicle collisions.
* Coyotes are canids, or members of the dog family, which includes wolves, jackals, dogs, and foxes. Canis Latrans, the Latin name for coyote, means "barking dog."
* What wild animals have you seen living near your home? Which of these might be considered nuisance animals? What attracts these animals to your area?
Today, coyotes are found in every U.S. state except Hawaii.
