Often coyotes get referred to as wolves, however there are no wild free-ranging wolves in Ohio. Coyotes can come in many colors. However, the black-tipped tail will almost always be present and all coyotes will have yellow eyes. Coyotes can be found throughout Ohio and are even a common inhabitant of cities. Coyotes were not reintroduced into Ohio. Starting in the early s, coyotes started expanding their range likely due to the loss of other predators in the Eastern United States.
As they came into the Midwest, some went north into Canada and expanded to the North of the Great Lakes while others expanded their range south of the Great Lakes. The first documented coyote in Ohio was in , in Preble County. However, they may have been present in Ohio as early as While it is certainly possible for coyote-cat interactions to occur, there are ways to help avoid them.
Over a three-month survey there were 36 interactions with 19 resulting in the cat being killed. In one interaction, the cat even chased the coyote off. The best way to keep your cat safe is to ensure that that it is indoors before sunset and that you leave no cat food or water bowls out overnight. Coyotes do not typically look to kill dogs. Most coyote-dog interactions occur when the dog is off leash and chases the coyote. In some rare cases, female dogs in heat left outside during the breeding season in February may be of interest to male coyotes for potential breeding.
The best way to keep your dog safe is to keep it on leash when you are outside with it. Remember, there is a leash law in Ohio. Also, most adult coyotes weigh between 25 and 35 pounds and they seldom weigh more than 45 pounds.
Even a cocker spaniel weighs the same or more than a coyote. Coyotes typically will not look to take on a dog larger than itself, viewing it as a fight they will not win. Even small dogs often prove to be too much of a hassle for coyotes to deal with. Coyote attacks, especially in the Eastern U. Conover in Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts found that annually there are only two coyote attacks on people in the U.
Comparatively he noted that humans are over times more likely to get attacked by a skunk than a coyote. The interaction occurred in the Chagrin Reservation in the early s when a coyote ran up to a biker and bit his leg. However, that coyote was quickly trapped and consequently tested positive for rabies. They also prey on growing populations of feral cats, feral dogs and Canada geese that can cause damage to natural resources.
Today, the coyote is the largest mammal to function as a predator in this region. Although coyotes are predators, they are also opportunistic feeders and shift their diets to take advantage of the most available prey. Simply seeing a coyote is normally not a cause for concern. Coyotes may frequent residential areas out of curiosity or as part of their normal travel routines. Many people have never seen a coyote so unless there is cause for concern see below , enjoy the rare opportunity and watch what they are doing.
If you do see a coyote please fill out the Eastern Coyote Report Form. These reports provide important information for us to monitor coyotes in the park. Typically, coyotes are wary of humans, and keep their distance. It is important that this relationship is maintained. Do not give coyotes a reason to get comfortable near people and pets. Pet food and water should be kept indoors to avoid attracting coyotes to your yard.
Small pets that are roaming free can look like prey to coyotes. Experts recommend to not leave small pets unattended, keep cats indoors, and pets on leashes. Coyotes mate in February and early March. Pups will be born from mid-April through May.
During this period, coyotes can act aggressive toward perceived threats to the pregnant female and or newborn pups. Coyotes are protective parents, and defend their young just as humans do. Domestic dogs may trigger coyote defense behavior even if they are with their owner and showing no signs of aggression towards an encountered coyote. Humans encountering coyotes rarely trigger an aggressive response that results in contact. Understand that the coyote likely views you, or your pet, as a threat or it may be a sick animal.
If you have a pet on a leash, make sure it is under control. Do not release it or command it to attack the coyote s. Walk slowly backward so that you do not turn your back on the coyote. Back-tracking on route you took, will often lead you out of a den area or away from protected pups. If you are on horseback, slowly leave the area by retracing your route. If you feel threatened try to frighten the coyote away by shouting in a deep voice, waving your arms, throwing objects at the animal, and looking it directly in the eyes.
Stand up if you are seated. If you are wearing a coat or vest, spread it open like a cape so that you appear larger. Carrying a whistle with you can aid in frightening a coyote and summoning others to assist you. How did they manage it, and what does it mean for us? They preferred to live in the forest and preyed upon large mammals like white-tailed deer.
As European settlers destroyed the ancient forests and hunted the wildlife, wolves found fewer places to live and fewer deer to eat. Along with other large predators like puma and black bear, all of the wolves were driven away or killed. About 40 years later, the coyote, a species native to western North America, made its way to Ohio, finding that the former forest had been converted to vast areas of open farmland.
There were no predators left and plenty of small animals for the coyotes to eat. It was a perfect environment for them to settle down in and thrive.
Coyotes weigh around 35 pounds but look much larger because of their dense winter coats. Coyotes are able to adapt to many different environments and can now be found throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
There are often sighted in Alaska and can be found as far south as Panama. They are also learning to survive close to people; there are approximately coyotes living in downtown Chicago.
Coyotes are opportunistic, which means they will eat anything they can catch. This includes their typical prey of small mammals, but they will also eat fruit, seeds, eggs and garbage. They will also eat cats and small dogs, so please keep your pets indoors or on a leash.
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