Living With Coyotes
The coyote (Canis latrans) is a medium-sized member of the dog family Canidae and is a native California carnivore. The coyote is an important figure in the folklore of many Indigenous groups, often considered a cunning trickster, but also imbued with a sense of benevolence and intelligence. With large, pointed ears, a narrow snout, and a drooping, bushy tail, coyotes somewhat resemble a young German Shepherd, the California variety weighing only between 15 and 30 pounds.
Ecosystem & Diet
Coyotes are incredibly adaptable and inhabit a wide range of ecosystems from chaparral to agricultural fields to dense metropolitan areas. Their diets reflect this diverse habitat use and they consume a variety of natural prey and fruits. In urban areas, coyotes will also readily scavenge on garbage, compost, pet foods, and handouts. Although coyotes are typically active both day and night, coyotes often shift their activity to be more nocturnal when living alongside people.
Social Behavior
Coyotes typically live in small family groups and communicate with each other using vocalizations, body language, and scent marking. Other individuals in a family group will help the alpha pair raise pups born in the spring that mature in the summer and disperse in the fall.
Ecological Impact
Coyotes play important ecological roles, especially where other predators, such as wolves and mountain lions, have been extirpated. By eating rodents, coyotes keep down pest populations. They also contribute by dispersing seeds through their scat, promoting bird diversity by keeping bird predators in check, and helping clean our ecosystems by scavenging on carrion.
In Your Neighborhood
Coexistence with local wildlife is a neighborhood effort! Do these four things to reduce conflict with coyotes:
- Never feed or attempt to tame a coyote!
- Never leave pet food outside; tightly secure garbage, compost, and recycling bins.
- Remove fallen fruit from the ground as quickly as possible.
- Trim bushes and close off access to spaces under porches and decks to minimize opportunities for coyotes to shelter.
Coyotes & Pets
Coyotes can pose a danger to pets. Understanding their behavior and modifying our own can help promote peaceful coexistence.
Dogs: Most human-coyote conflicts in urban areas involve off-leash dogs. These guidelines will help keep you and your dog(s) safe:
- Obey leash laws and signage. If signs warn that coyotes have recently been active in the area, keep your dogs closer to you than usual and be in control of their behavior. Never let your dog chase or play with a coyote.
- Avoid walking at dawn/dusk when coyotes are particularly active.
- Avoid walking near thick brush, which offers coyotes a natural hiding spot.
- Consider purchasing a vest designed to deter coyotes and to prevent a lethal puncture if a coyote were to bite your pet.
- If you encounter a coyote, leash larger dogs and pick up smaller dogs, haze the coyote (see below), and leave the area calmly.
Cats: Coyotes see domestic cats as prey. Keeping your cat indoors is the best way to ensure their safety. Free-roaming cats are more likely to be killed by vehicles than coyotes, but there is a risk of coyote predation. By keeping cats indoors, you will also help protect native birds and other wildlife. To allow kitties to safely enjoy the outdoors, consider harness-training your cats or installing a catio.
Encountering Coyotes on the Trail
You may encounter a coyote in East Bay Regional Parks. Most coyotes fear people, but those that learn to associate humans with food may habituate to our presence. Documented attacks of coyotes on people are rare and are usually related to hand-feeding or presence of a dog. If you encounter a coyote within 50 feet and the coyote does not move away on its own, haze the coyote (i.e., deter or intimidate it) to help it maintain a safe distance. To haze effectively: (1) maintain eye contact, (2) be as big and loud as possible, and (3) wave your arms or use a tool like an umbrella to scare, not injure, the animal. If the coyote continues to approach, do not run or turn your back on the coyote. Continue to exaggerate the above gestures while backing away slowly. If you think a coyote is sick or injured, or you are involved in an aggressive encounter with a coyote, notify our Non-Emergency Dispatch number (510) 881-1833. For any emergencies, call 911.
During the pup-rearing season (March-August), coyotes can be very protective of their pups; you may experience a type of behavior known as escorting, when a coyote may follow at a closer distance than usual to remove you from the area. If you have a dog, the coyotes might make vocalizations or bare their teeth in ways that appear threatening; however, escorting is not unsafe and does not usually result in aggression. The best course of action is to leave the area calmly and without running.
Help Us Monitor Coyotes!
When you see a coyote, it will usually be minding its own business, but conflict can occur. Wildlife managers and researchers collect data on coyote sightings and interactions across the Bay Area to inform management efforts. Please report your sightings at bayareacoyote.org/report/, providing as many details as possible. You can also submit a photo of the sighting via iNaturalist.org to help scientists around the world research these incredible creatures
