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Food Habits | Reproduction
| Social Structure | Movements
|Damage Problems | Recognizing
Damage Controlling Damage | More Information
| 2007 Report on the Coyote in
Florida
 The
coyote (Canis latrans), once strictly a western species, now
occurs throughout the eastern United States. Coyotes began expanding
their range into the Southeast in the 1960s, reaching northwestern
Florida in the 1970s. In a 1981 survey, coyotes were reported in
18 of Florida's 67 counties. A similar survey in 1988 reported coyotes
in 48 counties. Coyotes are now found in all 67 counties. They are
becoming more common in South Florida and are even found on the mainland
in Monroe County.
In addition to their natural range expansion, coyotes have been illegally
trucked in from western states and released. Documented releases of coyotes
have occurred in Gadsden, Liberty, Columbia and Polk counties. In Polk
County, coyotes were released by a local fox hunter who believed he was
stocking a depleted fox population with animals sold to him as "black
fox." Coyotes are extremely adaptable; just about any type of forest
or farmland is suitable habitat. Most of Florida, with the possible exception
of the densely populated cities and the expansive saw grass marshes of
the Everglades, is suitable coyote habitat.
The coyote is a member of the dog family, similar in appearance
to a medium size shepherd. They weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, have pointed
ears, a narrow muzzle, and bushy tail. Males tend to be larger than
females. Pelts are usually grayish-brown, but occasionally black, often
with a patch of white chest hair. When running, coyotes usually hold their
tails at "half mast." Coyote tracks are narrower and more elongated
than dog tracks.
The scientific name of the coyote, Canis latrans, literally means
barking dog. Coyotes exhibit a variety of vocalizations. They can bark
like dogs, though the sounds most often heard are shrill yips and howls.
Howling is often a group effort, perhaps beginning as a simple howl, but
quickly increasing in intensity to a series of group howls and high-pitched
barks. Howling may function as a greeting between coyotes or as a territorial
claim between groups.
Food Habits--Coyotes usually
hunt alone, sometimes as a pair, but rarely, as a pack. The most important
foods are rats and mice, rabbits, wild fruits insects, birds and virtually
any type of carrion.
Reproduction--Coyotes have one breeding cycle
per year. The male, unlike the domestic dog, has active sperm only in
late winter when females are in heat. Coyotes can first breed when they
are 10 months old. The proportion of the yearling females that breed varies
as a function of food supply: in good years, a higher proportion breed
than in years when food is scarce. Coyotes can breed with domestic dogs
and produce fertile offspring. Hybridization
occurs infrequently in the wild. Coyotes breed in late winter; following
a 63-day gestation period, an average of 6
pups are born. Both parents, and occasionally nonbreeding offspring from
previous years, help rear the young.
Coyotes den in hollow logs, brush piles and burrows. They will dig their
own dens, but more commonly they enlarge burrows made by other
animals, such as an armadillo or gopher tortoise. Pups emerge from dens
when they are about 3 weeks old. Dens, used only when the pups are small,
are abandoned when the young are 8-10 weeks old. Coyotes may re-use dens
in subsequent years.
Parental care lasts until the pups are about 9 months old. The young
usually then disperse to a new area, where they establish their own breeding
territories. Some pups, however, may stay in their parents' territory
and assist with rearing the next year's litter.
Social Structure--The basic coyote
social unit is a breeding pair and their offspring. The strongest bonds
between the group occur during the breeding season and when the pups are
young. Coyotes, however, are not nearly as social as wolves.
An established coyote population has resident and transient animals.
The residents have established territories shared by a family. Transients
are generally younger animals which live on the edges of the territories
of the residents.
Movements--Coyotes are active
day or night, but usually most active at sunset and sunrise. Coyote home
range sizes vary greatly between individuals. In a southeastern study,
home ranges of adult coyotes ranged from 1,500 to 12,000 acres.
Damage Problems--In the western
United States, coyotes are the main predator of domestic sheep, causing
significant losses in select areas. They can also prey upon goats, calves,
hogs, poultry and watermelons. Coyotes will also kill domestic dogs and
house cats. The type of damage attributed to coyotes in Florida is similar
to that in the western states, but so far, the damage has been infrequent
and restricted to small areas. Coyotes are not a threat to human safety.
There are a few reports from the western United States of coyotes biting
humans, but this behavior is very unusual. Coyotes are normally timid
towards people.
Recognizing Damage--Coyotes
are rarely observed in the act of destroying property. Careful observation
is usually necessary to determine if coyotes are responsible for the damage.
The presence of coyotes does not necessarily mean that they are responsible
for the damage or even that damage will occur.
Watermelon damage by coyotes can be recognized by observing tracks
near the destroyed melons. Also measure the bite marks in the rind --
coyote canines are approximately 1.25 inches apart.
Predation on livestock occurs most frequently in late spring and early
summer when adults are feeding pups. The need for food is great at that
time and domestic animals are generally easy prey.
Because coyotes readily feed on carrion, the presence of coyote tracks
around a carcass does not necessarily indicate predation. To verify livestock
predation, look for trampled vegetation or other signs of a struggle.
Bite marks and bleeding, particularly on the head and neck should also
be evident but may require skinning the animal. Coyote bites may
penetrate the rear of the jaw bone, leaving tooth marks that can be observed
even on badly decomposed carcasses.
Coyotes may carry off small animals, such as chickens or new- born goats,
leaving only tracks. They most often kill larger prey by biting the throat,
causing death by suffocation. Coyotes frequently adjust their grip on
the prey's neck, leaving multiple bite marks.
Coyotes may attack fleeing animals from the rear, biting the legs or
tail to slow them down. Coyotes typically begin feeding behind the ribs,
often eating the stomach of nursing animals. The nose and hindquarters
are typically eaten on calves. Coyotes have been known to attack cows
in labor, feeding on both the emerging calf and mother.
Distinguishing coyote predation from dog predation can some-times be
difficult. Typically, free-running dogs leave their victims mutilated
because they lack the experience to kill efficiently, and dogs generally
do not feed on the carcass. Feral dogs (dogs living entirely in the wild
and independent of human care) may be more efficient at killing for food,
leaving sign similar to coyote sign. Also, while coyotes usually hunt
alone or as a pair, dogs often hunt in packs of various sized members,
so various sized tracks around a killed animal may help to indicate dog
predation.
Coyote tracks (left) are narrower and more elongated than dog tracks
(right)
Controlling
Damage--If you have experienced coyote damage, or anticipate
damage, several prevention options are available. The most effective approach
is to use a combination of lethal and non-lethal methods.
Non-lethal methods to protect livestock include exclusion fencing, corralling
animals at night and using trained guard dogs. Fencing is possibly the
most effective. To exclude coyotes, woven or welded wire fences should
be at least 4 feet high with barbed wire above for a total minimum height
of 5 feet. Adding height to the fence will increase its effectiveness.
Mesh sizes should not exceed 4 x 6 inches (coyotes can squeeze through
fences with larger mesh). An outward overhang of fence wire will help
prevent coyotes from jumping over. Electrifying the fence may also help
to deter coyotes from crossing.
Though fences probably will not offer complete protection, they will
keep most coyotes from crossing. Minimally, fences will guide coyotes
to specific crossings, most likely a crawl space under the fence, where
they can be trapped or snared more easily.
If lethal control measures are necessary, they should be directed at
specific coyotes or toward coyotes in a specific area. Indiscriminate
killing of coyotes is unlikely to reduce coyote populations, which can
withstand 70 percent annual kill. Some evidence suggests that light, indiscriminant
harvesting of Coyotes may actually stimulate production and further increase
numbers.
There is no closed season on coyotes in Florida. Legal methods of take
are by gun, bow or snare. Steel traps and hunting at night with a light
can be conducted only by special permit issued by the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Commission, and use of poisons to kill coyotes is illegal.
Coyotes are more difficult to trap than most other furbearers, but snares
and foot-hold traps, when used correctly, can be effective capture techniques.
Number 3 traps, either long or coil- spring, are the most commonly used.
Padded jaw traps will reduce foot injury to coyotes as well as to other
animals captured unintentionally. The proper size snare for coyotes is
3/16- inch cable, equipped with a locking slide and swivel. If you are
not experienced at trapping, find a skilled local trapper to help.
Shooting requires little specialized skills, but is laborious. Predator
calling, using either a mouth call or tape player, can be used to lure
coyotes within shooting range. Calling coyotes is allowed during legal
daylight shooting hours, or at night with a special permit.
The coyote's potential impact on wildlife, livestock and melon crops
can be cause for concern under certain local conditions. However, like
it or not, coyotes are probably here to stay. They are not particular
about what they eat, or where they live - coyotes are generalists in an
evolved world of specialists. Some people like and admire the animal,
others vehemently curse everything about it. Treat them as you will, coyotes
are survivors. The coyote is also subject to
rabies
You can receive technical assistance for coyote problems by contacting
the FWC regional
office nearest you.
More information
Mammals of Texas
information
University of Florida
information and research
British
Columbia information (including tracks)
Illinois
information
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