PVCC Puma Press: April 2006

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	(AP Photo/John Miller)
	The coyote’s menu ranges from rodents to insects, reptiles, antelope and sheep as well as small dogs and cats. This coyote eats at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ. on March 27, 1996.
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Arizona is comprised of several biomes or life zones. From the dry, harsh deserts to the thick coniferous forests and alpine regions atop mountain peaks, each biome is unique in climate dynamics. Each harbors and nurtures its own ecosystems, flora and fauna; and the plants and animals adapted to each habitat don’t usually stray outside. For example, saguaros are not found in alpine forests, and elk are not found in the Mohave Desert.

However, in Arizona’s animal world, there is a jack-of-all-trades that can survive anywhere. It will eat anything and can live at -10 degrees Fahrenheit or at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a quick, stealthy and skilled hunter, and it is also a forager. It is perpetually resourceful and consistently adaptable. Loved by many, hated by some, this creature’s profile graces our daily lives—from team jerseys and mascots to cartoons and sculptures. It has an unmistakable and familiar call, yet it remains elusive to the eye.

This Arizona native is the coyote (Canis latrans), and it has made its home not only in every corner of Arizona’s vast and rural landscapes, but also within the city lights and backyards of urban Maricopa County.

Coyotes are in the canine family. Although they are related to dogs and wolves, they do not readily interbreed with either. At just under 2-feet-tall, these nocturnal animals are much smaller than a wolf and weigh up to 30 pounds in Arizona. In some states like Wyoming, they can be larger. They are gray in color with some reddish-brown markings mixed throughout, as well as black patching. Some will hunt and survive alone, but they can also be gregarious and travel in pairs or small groups. If food is abundant, small groups will call to each other and congregate. They give birth to up to five pups each year.

The diet of the coyote is greatly varied. A major role coyotes play in the ecosystem is that of rodent control, and they will consume many species of small animals including mice, rats, squirrels and rabbits. They will eat carrion, reptiles, antelope, sheep, small deer, eggs, berries, insects, birds and just about anything they can find; and like most animals, they prefer what’s easy to get. This is important for us to know as urban residents because coyotes will also eat garbage, dog food, birds from feeders, domestic cats, domestic dogs and fish from a pond. They will do it quickly and without hesitation. Because their diet is so adaptable and because they are at home in the city as much as they are in rural areas, there is often a human-wildlife interface conflict.

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	In addition to scavenging pet food, coyotes will seek large items in yards, including dogs and cats
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Maricopa County is a giant village of walls. We all have fences, many made of block. Coyotes quickly learn where food is, and that it is often in backyards. According to Arizona Game and Fish, coyotes will patrol fences by walking on top to look for food. They learn that garbage cans can be knocked over, that crocks contain dog food, hanging objects in trees contain seeds and that wild birds will gather there. They remember and can even become territorial once they’ve established themselves in an area.

Coyotes will also seek out larger items in our yards, including dogs and cats. If a dog is too large to be considered prey, the coyote may fight with it. Coyotes can also carry diseases that can be contracted by our pets. These include distemper, heartworm, mange and tapeworms. Because coyotes are mammals, they can contract, carry and cause rabies. If you observe any of the following behaviors from a coyote, consider the situation an emergency and call Arizona Game and Fish at 602.789.3201:

Approaching people instead of moving away;

Snarling, biting or growling unprovoked;

Foaming at the mouth;

Hyperactive or erratic behavior;

Paralysis.

If bitten by a coyote displaying strange symptoms or behaviors, call 911 or seek a healthcare provider immediately. Medical treatment is crucial.

While coyotes can be problematic and can devastate a family due to the loss of a pet, it is critical to remember that they are important. As a top level predator, they have a very important role in our environment. We moved into their deserts, and we are providing them with a full menu of delicacies by leaving trash unsecured, pets unwatched and feeders hanging from trees. They will keep going back to an area if food sources continue to remain plentiful.

They are not as sensitive to our encroachment as other animals; they adapt to our cities and they are not leaving. By understanding these animals, you can prevent trouble and even appreciate them as native wildlife. Their chirps and howls are part of the desert night. They are outstanding at controlling rodents, and when they eat carrion, they are preventing disease in other animals.

Arizona Game and Fish provides recommendations for avoiding conflicts with coyotes:

Do not ignore a coyote in your yard. Make the environment inhospitable so it doesn’t want to return.

Maintain eye contact with the animal.

Never run from a coyote, move away slowly, again keeping eye contact.

Make a lot of noise—yell or bang pots together.

Spray the coyote with a hose.

Throw rocks or cans.

If the animal is aggressive enough to stay after these methods fail, use mace.

Remove all food sources from your yard.

Carefully watch your pets outside.

Never feed wildlife, including birds.

It is unlawful to kill a coyote without a permit. For more information, visit Arizona Game and Fish at www.azgfd.com.