Over the last several months, Daniel Island residents have reported increased sightings of coyotes, so we asked wildlife expert Debby Hill, Education Director for Keeper of the Wild, to teach us about our fellow traveler. Today, in part four of her series, Ms. Hill tells us about their origins and lifestyle of coyotes, and what steps to take if we encounter one. If you see an animal that needs help, please contact Keeper of the Wild at 843-636-1659 or visit them online at www.keeperofthewild.com.
Coyotes are only found out west, right? Not anymore. Coyotes are now found in every state in the United States except Hawaii. Incredible as it may seem, coyotes have actually been spotted in downtown Atlanta and also New York City. Even closer to home, the versatile and adaptable coyote is now found in every county in South Carolina. There have even been recent sightings on Daniel Island.
You may think you are seeing a dog. A coyote resembles a shepherd-type dog. It has pointed triangular ears, a narrow muzzle and a bushy tail. It is about 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Its fur can vary from any mixture of colors including gray, brown, light tan, to reddish tan to almost black. Typically, a coyote in South Carolina weighs around 35 lbs., but may weigh over 60 lbs. in other states. Watching the tail while the animal is running is one way to tell a coyote from a dog. The coyote runs with its tail down. The dog runs with its tail up and a wolf runs with its tail straight out.
Though they originally were found out west, there are a number of reasons why coyotes are now so widespread. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources explains, "Contrary to popular belief, (they) did not stock coyotes in South Carolina to control the white-tailed deer population, or for any other reason."
One known reason is that coyotes were introduced by hunters in Pickens and Oconee counties around the late 1970s. Another reason, according to "South Carolina Wildlife" magazine, is that due to a natural expansion coyotes "came across southern Canada and through Louisiana and Arkansas into the eastern United States, moving into an ecological niche once occupied by wolves." Apparently, they are nature’s effort to try to correct an overabundance of prey due to the decline of wolves.
Coyotes are opportunistic eaters. Mainly carnivores, they are known most for eating livestock. Where there is no livestock, they eat rabbits, destructive rodents and squirrels, as well as fawns, other small mammals and birds and snakes. While they prefer a fresh kill they will also eat small carrion. They are fast and can run up to 40 miles per hour. They often hunt alone at night, but will work with others to bring down a larger animal, such as a deer. They are very clever, as one group will chase the animal until tired while another group stands ready to continue the chase to exhaust the prey.
They will also eat vegetables, even watermelons from gardens, pet food left on porches and in some cases the pets themselves. When coyotes are known to be in the area it is a very good idea to keep small pets inside at night and to avoid leaving pet food outside.
Coyotes are widely known and respected for their adaptability and can thrive in every habitat in South Carolina, from the mountains to the swamps. Coyotes are susceptible to diseases such as distemper, parvo, mange, rabies, and hepatitis. They are also subject to fleas, ticks, worms, and other parasites.
The good news is that coyotes usually have a natural fear of humans and tend to stay clear of human activity. They move about and do most of their hunting in the night hours. There is a concern that as coyotes and humans begin to cross paths and share habitat more and more, coyotes could become used to humans. They could become less afraid and bolder around humans. If this happens, humans could become more affected by the diseases they carry as well as the coyotes themselves. People should never provide food or do anything to encourage coyote-human interaction.
Coyotes are intelligent, wily, clever and cunning. They have survived and endured because of their stamina, adaptability and ability to avoid humans.
If you see a coyote, keep your distance; make as much noise as you can. Yell, beat on pots, blow your horn, anything you can to scare it away and encourage the coyote’s already existing wariness of humans.
If you hear the call of a coyote far away in the night, listen to what he is saying to us all. "I live here, too. Can we respect each other?"
