Michel Kohl, wildlife extension specialist and associate professor of wildlife management in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, spoke with Southern Living about what to do if there’s a coyote in your yard.
In the last century, the animals have expanded their range across North America.
“It’s likely due to habitat changes, as well as the fact that competitors, such as eastern red wolves, have been removed from the landscape,” Kohl said. “They’re one of the few large carnivores in North America, and they do well in close proximity to people.”
They usually leave people alone, but that can vary based on their amount of human interaction.
“Although coyote attacks on people are rare, most of the time they’re traced back to the fact that a human has been feeding a coyote so the animal has become habituated to us,” Kohl said.
Attacks on pets can occur, especially cats or small dogs.
“Social hierarchy is part of the canid world, so coyotes will pick on little dogs but are unlikely to do so with big dogs because they know it’s probably a contest they can’t win,” Kohl said.
Even if you don’t see them, you may hear them. Coyotes have some of the most complex and varied vocalization abilities of any animal, which they use to communicate and to defend territory.
“It can sound like a pack of coyotes but actually may only be two or three,” Kohl said.
Key pieces of advice Kohl gave for what to do about coyotes in your yard include not allowing cats to roam, keeping dogs leashed on walks — especially at dawn and dusk — and ensuring pets are up to date on medications.
“The biggest risk coyotes pose to our lives is the potential disease transmission to our pets,” Kohl said.
Additionally, scare coyotes off with techniques like banging pots and pans, yelling or using an air horn.
“The goal is to keep them afraid of us,” Kohl said.