Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

5-MINUTE EXPERT:

Wily coyotes can thrive in the city and suburbs

Coyote

To spot a predator: With Southern Nevada’s continuing drought, daylight spottings of coyotes are going to become more common.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Coyotes are good swimmers, and even have colonized small islands because of their ability to swim.

• The coyote’s average lifespan in the wild is up to 14 years, but while living in urban areas, its chances of surviving decrease dramatically. According to a study by Ohio State University, 40 to 70 percent of coyote deaths in urban areas are caused by being struck by vehicles.

• The animal’s sense of smell is so keen that it can detect a mouse scurrying underneath snow, and catch the scent of a hunter from more than a mile away.

• The coyote’s scientific name is Canis latrans, which literally means “barking dog.” Its average size is 20-50 pounds, 32-37 inches long with a 16-inch tail.

• Coyotes can run up to 40 miles per hour. Oh, and a roadrunner? Only about 25 mph. Beep-beep that.

• Coyotes dig large holes to sleep in, as well as for giving birth and finding water. Water holes serve two purposes: giving the coyote a water source and attracting prey animals.

They come from beyond the Las Vegas city limits and howl in the night, but they’re not here to party.

They’re coyotes, and they’ve begun advancing into the city more and more often as Southern Nevada’s extended drought and urban sprawl disrupt their desert habitat.

Coyotes normally stay away from the dangers they face in an urban environment — getting shot, trapped or struck by vehicles, for example. But the drought has made traditional prey like rodents and reptiles more scarce, prompting coyotes to enter the city in search of other types of nourishment.

Although coyotes pose little threat to humans, they do prey on cats and small dogs. They also forage for garbage.

As urban coyotes become more and more prevalent, here are some things to know about these howling canines.

What brings coyotes to the city?

One of the main reasons for the rising number of coyotes in urban areas such as Las Vegas is the drought. Without water, many of the coyote’s favorite prey are shrinking in numbers, so they venture into the city in search of food.

• Territory: Coyotes can be found nearly everywhere throughout North America, from eastern Alaska to the New England area, and as far south as Mexico and Panama. Prior to 1700, coyotes’ territory was restricted to northern Mexico and central United States.

• Habitat: Coyotes are flexible when it comes to their habitat. They are well equipped to live in places as desolate as the desert, but also can live in highly populated neighborhoods, grasslands and foothills. Coyotes are especially adaptable to desert environments thanks to having one of the thinnest coats of all wild dogs.

• Diet: Coyotes have one of the most adaptable diets of any animal in Southern Nevada. They are known to hunt just about anything that moves, including insects, snakes, frogs, fish, rabbits and even deer. They also eat fruits and grass. Their diet provides a large percentage of their water, allowing them to survive in the parched desert. Many people believe coyotes living in urban areas eat mostly garbage and household pets, but that has been found to be untrue. Research done on droppings in Cook County, Ill., revealed the most common things that make up an urban coyote’s diet. They were: small rodents, 42 percent; fruit, 23 percent; deer, 22 percent; rabbits, 18 percent.

Tips on protecting pets from coyotes

• Don’t leave food outside for your pets, as it can attract coyotes.

• Don’t leave out trash. Make sure trash cans have a secure lid and pick up any fruit that has fallen from trees.

• Trim the bushes around your house. Coyotes will use overgrown bushes as a place to hide, no matter how close they are to your house.

• When walking a dog, it’s advised to keep your pet within 6 feet of you. Coyotes are usually afraid of humans and won’t come close to snatch the dog.

• If you come across a coyote, make as much noise as possible and do not crouch down or make yourself look smaller.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy