They howl, they yip, they’ve been called the “Song Dog” by some American Indians, and their name comes from an Aztec word “coyoti” which translates as “trickster.”

They have sharp eyesight, keen hearing, a heightened sense of smell, and tremendous speed and agility. Combining these qualities with intelligence and adaptability, their populations are flourishing.

But despite all its attributes, the coyote is often maligned and almost always
misunderstood.

“There are those who think coyotes chase humans and go after children,” said
Susan Barnes, biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“That’s just not true. There are some situations where a coyote has been fed
by humans and they lose their natural fear and they will approach. But that
doesn’t happen all that often.”

In actual fact, they are much more a nuisance than a threat, and their
contributions to the environment far outweigh any problems they may cause.

The coyote is a skilled hunter and will feed on almost anything. They eat rats,
gophers, squirrels, snakes, lizards, fish, grass, fruits and berries. Occasionally,
they will also hunt in pairs or family groups, taking down deer and antelope.

By controlling the mice, rats and other rodent populations – and scavenging
on dead wildlife that could spread disease – coyotes play an important role in
the food chain and are protectors of the environment.

Many areas, such as cemeteries and golf courses, have reported declines in
damage associated with gophers once coyotes start hanging around. They
also help control geese in urban areas and on agricultural lands where flocks
can forage and destroy crops.

However, coyotes will also eat pets, pet food and garbage. But these
incursions can be mitigated by removing food sources and access to shelter.

“This is the time of year when pups are born and they are growing fast,”
Barnes said. “This often pushes adults to look for food in daytime as well as
night. With pressure to feed more mouths they will also go for easier prey
such as outdoor cats and small livestock. It is up to pet and livestock owners
to protect their animals and be diligent. Bring them indoors, lock the coop and
barn, or expect some losses.”

Coyote populations are controlled by social stress, diseases, parasites,
competition for food, and predators – including cougars, bears, and,
unfortunately, humans. Due to archaic regulations dating back to the 1800s,
coyotes are not protected and it’s not illegal to shoot them.

Family Structure
Coyotes typically mate in February and give birth to pups two months later.
An average litter is four pups, but can be as high as 12, depending on
population density and the abundance of food. Pups emerge from the den in
two to three weeks.

A mated pair of coyotes will live, hunt and raise pups together for many
years.

Juvenile coyotes learn to hunt by stalking and pouncing on grasshoppers and
other insects. They will venture out on their own at age six to eight months,
and will usually hunt alone.

Avoiding Problems
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to avoiding, minimizing or
correcting problems with coyotes. By far the greatest number of conflicts
between humans and coyotes are those in which the animal has habituated to
a residential area by the behavior of humans – by giving them access to food
or shelter. Giving a wild animal food is never a good idea.

Coyote Identification
They are members of the dog family, looking like a small German shepherd,
with features that include erect pointed ears, a slender muzzle and a bushy
tail.

At the shoulder, adult males are about 25 inches tall and weigh between 20
and 35 pounds, although occasionally they can get as heavy as 45 pounds.
Coyotes in the Mountain area are dark brown with streaks of gray and black.
They have a distinctive voice, consisting of howls, high-pitched yips and
occasional dog-like barks.

One of Barnes’ favorite sounds near the county park where she lives is when a
coyote chimes in with a police or ambulance siren.

“I enjoy that,” she said.

And we should take note of that. Let’s be good stewards of the environment
and enjoy the coyote’s contribution.

And “enjoy that.”