In Orange County, it is quite common to hear stories of how people’s pets have been attacked or even killed by coyotes. The population of coyotes is on the rise and at this time, it doesn’t appear that any of our government agencies are doing much to solve this problem.
Coyotes are medium-sized members of the dog family. They are larger than foxes but smaller than wolves. Coyotes stand approximately 18 inches high at the shoulders. Full grown males weigh about 20-35 lbs. and full grown females will weigh about 18-25 lbs. Their coloration is usually a blend of rust-colored to brown to gray. A coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog except they have a longer, narrower snout and a bushy black-tipped tail.
Late January and in February is when they mate. Before giving birth, the adults will excavate one or more dens in the soil. Sometimes, they will expand the burrows of other animals. They may also use hollow logs, rock piles or culverts. In suburban areas, they typically select areas where there is minimal human activity.
Pups are born during March and April. Their litter size is about 4-7 pups. Parents and offspring will continue to live in a family group for about 6 months. Juveniles may move out in the late fall to live independently. However, if food sources are adequate, they may choose to stay with their parents through the next year.
Coyotes bark and howl in the evening and night during most of the year. But, they are less vocal when they are in the early stages of pup-rearing.
A coyote can live in almost any habitat in California. They can be found in our arid deserts, wet meadows and foggy coastal regions in the north. Coyotes have become more numerous in many suburban environments where they have an ample food supply. Southern California suburban areas are where you’ll find some of the highest population densities on record.
In arid areas, where food is scarce, a coyote’s territory may be 15 square miles or more. Along California’s coast, in oak woodland livestock rangelands, their territory may be 1 to 3 square miles. In the suburbs, a coyote’s territory may be as small as one quarter of a square mile. Dominant, territorial pairs may share their territory with their juvenile offspring and other related coyotes if food resources are adequate to support their expanded family.
A coyote is generally regarded as less social than a wolf. They often live successfully as solitary individuals or pairs. If food supplies are abundant, they may form packs of up to 10 members. It doesn’t appear that coyotes are highly territorial in suburban areas.
Their diets are diverse and adaptable, depending on local or seasonal food resources. A major portion of their diet is often rodents or rabbits. Sometimes, their diet may consist of insects, fruits, berries, songbirds and dead animals. Coyotes are capable predators and will attack and kill a full grown animal, such as a deer. Poultry, sheep, goats and calves are easy targets because they lack effective natural defenses against wild predators. Some coyotes learn to kill livestock and pets and they will continue to do so unless some corrective action is taken.
A coyote is normally elusive and will avoid contact with humans. But, in Southern California’s suburban areas, some coyotes have adapted to residential neighborhoods, parks, open spaces and seem to have lost their fear of humans. They thrive in these areas because food, water and shelter are abundant. They may have come to associate humans with food and protection. Once they have become attracted to a suburban area, they will prey on rodents, rabbits, birds, house cats and small dogs. They also like to feed on household garbage, pet food and the seeds and fruits of garden and landscape plants. Some will stalk and even attack children or adults. Others will attack pets being walked on a leash by their owners.
Many residents of Orange County have called our government agencies for help in solving their problems with coyotes. Most have been told to hire a professional trapper. The current cost of a 30 day trapping program runs about $300 with no guarantee they will be able to catch anything.
Back in the twentieth century, producers of livestock and government agencies were able to suppress numbers of coyotes by using toxicants, traps, shooting and other techniques. Studies have shown that in order to control them through removal, you would have to kill more than three-quarters of all coyotes annually.
Today, we have an increasing number of regulations on predator control tools and society’s attitudes towards predators have changed. These factors, along with our government’s lack of effort are making control of coyotes increasing difficult. Sorry to say this, but we may have to wait until a celebrity’s child or pet gets killed before the problem is addressed.
What Can You Do To Help Solve Your Problems With Coyotes?
Here is a list of 10 things you can do to help protect your family and pets from coyotes:
1. Install fences around your property which are at least 6ft high. Coyotes like digging under fences, so experts recommend you bury a galvanized wire-mesh apron that is 4-6 inches below the soil and extends outward at least 15 inches. You may also want to install a wire-mesh overhang of at least 18 inches, slanted outward, on top of your fence. In rural areas, you might want to consider an electric fence.
2. Close off areas under homes, decks, porches and sheds. This will prevent coyotes from building nests in these areas.
3. If you see a coyote, certain hazing techniques may frighten them off. Shouting, throwing rocks, spraying them with a water hose, using an air horn or acting aggressively will help in some cases. Motion sensitive lights on homes or buildings may deter coyotes from approaching.
4. Make your property less attractive to coyotes by clearing or thinning thick vegetation. Prune back the lower limbs of shrubs and small trees to a height of at least 2 feet. Plants or trees that produce fruit and seeds are not a good idea. If you have these, you need to keep the areas picked up.
5. Eliminate water sources, such as ponds or fountains. Or, have wire fencing installed around them.
6. Feed your pets indoors. If you feed your pets outdoors, remove pet dishes and food after they finish eating. Store pet food indoors or in sealed heavy-duty containers.
7. Keep your garbage cans covered and sealed.
8. Keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits and small dogs indoors. If you keep them outdoors, you’ll need to have them kept within enclosed kennels. Large dogs should be brought in after dark. Never allow cats or dogs to run free at anytime because they are easy prey for coyotes!
9. When you take your dog for a walk, always have them on a leash. You may want to bring a walking stick or cane to fend off an attack. Avoid walking dogs at dawn or dusk. You should also avoid areas of dense vegetation or cover. Walk at different times and in different areas so that coyotes won’t learn your routine.
10. Don’t ever feed or provide water to coyotes. This may cause them to lose their fear of people and make them more aggressive. Anyone who feeds coyotes is putting the entire neighborhood’s children and pets at risk!
Please be safe and let’s all work together to solve this problem.
