Thriving Amidst the City Skylines
Coyotes have established a ubiquitous presence in American cities, spanning from coast to coast. Remarkably, coyotes, born and raised within city limits, exhibit a preference for urban environments. It is not a result of being displaced from more suitable habitats; rather, the majority of these creatures consider the city their true home—a place they willingly choose to inhabit.
Contrary to common belief, coyotes do not strictly limit their hunting after dark. Coyotes are adaptable eaters and require sustenance daily. They actively pursue prey whenever the opportunity arises, regardless of the time of day. However, coyotes generally tend to dedicate a significant portion of their hunting time to the early morning and late evenings. They don’t typically hunt in large packs but instead tend to operate individually or in small family groups.
Coyotes are highly adaptable creatures known for their opportunistic feeding habits, as they are willing to consume a wide range of food sources. However, their preference lies with commonly available prey such as whitetail deer, rabbits, rodents, and small animals which include the family dog or cat. Chickens are a superior delicacy and are highly sought after.
Note: There is a misconception regarding coyotes and their living habits, particularly their use of dens. A den is primarily used for the pup-rearing season. It is basically a temporary shelter for nurturing offspring. Denning is a transient phase and only lasts as long as the female coyote requires it to raise her young. Once this phase is completed, she will move on, and the family unit will disperse.
Similar to rats or raccoons, coyotes are versatile creatures, adapting well to various environments. They possess a wide range of dietary and habitat preferences, allowing them to flourish in urban areas, much like they would on an expansive prairie. They possess an uncanny ability to capitalize on human resources without causing significant disturbances to the humans themselves. As a result, the majority of the urban coyote population in the United States leads inconspicuous lives, concealed from the prying eyes of humans, as they go about their resourceful and resilient existence.
Coyote attacks on individuals are extremely rare. Preventing coyote attacks often involves modifying human conduct and raising awareness about effective measures to discourage habituation. In the few cases where humans were attacked, it was discovered that the coyotes responsible had been intentionally fed by people. Similarly, some individuals were bitten while attempting to rescue their pets from coyote encounters when the pets were allowed to roam freely. On rare occasions, people may be bitten by cornered coyotes, and even more rarely, by coyotes infected with rabies.
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