COYOTES

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusions

• Produce livestock in confinement
• Herd livestock into pens at night
• Exclusion fences.

Cultural Methods and Habitat Modification

Frightening Agents

• Guard dogs
• Sonic and visual repellents: strobe lights, sirens

Trapping

Identification
The Coyote (Canis latrans) resembles a small collie dog, with erect pointed ears, slender muzzle, and bushy tail. Coyotes are predominantly brownish gray in color with a light gray to cream-colored belly. Most have dark or black guard hairs over their back and tail. Males can weigh as much as 45 pounds and females 30 pounds.

Habitat
Many references indicate that coyotes were originally found in relatively open habitats, particularly the grasslands and sparsely wooded areas of the western United States. Coyotes have now adapted to and exist in virtually every type of habitat, arctic to tropic, in North America. Coyotes live in deserts, swamps, tundra, grasslands, brush dense forests, from below sea level to high mountain ranges, and at all intermediate altitudes.

Food Habits
Coyotes often include many items in their diet. Rabbits top the list of their dietary components. Carrion, rodents, ungulates (typically fawns), insects (such as grasshoppers), as well as livestock and poultry, are also consumed. Coyotes readily eat fruits such as watermelons, berries, and other vegetative matter when they are available.

Coyotes are opportunistic and generally take prey that is the easiest to secure. With domestic animals, coyotes are capable of catching and killing healthy, young, and in some instances, adult prey. Prey selection is based on opportunity and a myriad of behavioral cues

General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior
Coyotes are most active at night and during the early morning hours (especially where human activity occurs), and during hot summer weather.

Coyotes bed in sheltered areas but do not generally use dens except when raising young. They may seek shelter underground during severe weather or when closely pursued. Their physical abilities include good eyesight, hearing, and a keen sense of smell. Coyotes have been measured at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and can sustain slower speeds for several miles

Coyotes usually breed in February and March, producing litters about 9 weeks later in April and May. Average litter size is 5-7 pups, although up to 13 in a littler has been reported.

Coyotes are successful at surviving and even flourishing in the presence of people because of their adaptable behavior and social system. They typically display increased reproduction and immigration in response to human-induced population reduction.

Damage
Coyotes can cause damage to a variety of resources, including livestock, poultry, and crops. They sometimes prey on pets and are a threat to public health and safety when they frequent airport runways and residential areas, and act as carriers of rabies.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The above information was adapted from PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE with permission of the editors, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Robert M. Timm, and Gary E. Larson (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, Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee). It is will great gratitude and appreciation that we are able to pass along this useful information.