Coyote

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by katepoet

When things quiet down around here, I'd like to do some research on the problem. They are so far out of their natural habitat and the need to control them seems critical. Glad you can keep an eye on those babies, Janet. That would really worry me, too.

Kate, I don't think that coyotes have a place that is considered their "natural habitat" except for being in the country which is where Janet is. The problem is that they have probably had an over abundance of food (mice, rabbits or other small game) and their population has increased. When that happens they can become a nusiance (sp?) but the farmers and ranchers will find a way to control the population.

[katepoet]

Yes - isn't their natural habitat out west somewhere or south to southwest? I wonder what triggered their movement - human encroachment on their territory? I don't recall what was said in the article I read a few years ago. But certainly their lack of natural predator has to be an issue. The food supply abundance is interesting, too, as you say. I am just curious - call me George!

[Mandy]

Thats scary! I know you will take care of the babies when they out potty. I hope they will find somewhere else to go, and stay away from your surroundings!!

[DianaB]

I don't think of coyotes having an area that they belong to but they are associated with the southwest region but they're not limited to just that area. We have coyotes in our area and as far as I know they're pretty much all over. I would guess that you'd find them from coast to coast.

[katepoet]

When this week of insane exam work with my students blows away and I have time, I will try to remember to look into it - maybe I will send myself an email alert through google calendar! lol

Are they known to have attacked humans at all? Do they hunt in packs?

[DianaB]

I haven't heard of them attacking humans in the wild but I recently read where one in a city had tried to get a small child. Thank goodness his big brother was out there too and saved the child. Here's a link to a article where a child was attacked.

http://origin.www.cbc.ca/canada/edmo...es-edmont.html

Any animal that is out of their natural area will have strange behavior. Out in the wild there are usually enough small animals that they're not a problem but in the suburban areas and the cities they are becoming problems.

They form packs but I'm not sure if they hunt in packs or not. Here's some information on coyotes. There's even a map that shows where they can be found. I hope that this answers your questions!

http://animals.nationalgeographic.co...ls/coyote.html

[katepoet]

Great links, Diana, thank you!