Coyotes have expanded their range dramatically over the past century. As wolves declined and landscapes changed due to human development, coyotes filled ecological gaps left behind.
Cities now offer:
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Abundant food sources
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Reduced pressure from large predators
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Green spaces and travel corridors
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Warmer microclimates
These conditions make urban environments surprisingly suitable for coyotes.
Masters of Adaptation
Coyotes are among the most adaptable mammals in North America.
Their success comes from:
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Highly flexible diets
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Strong problem-solving skills
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Ability to adjust activity patterns
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Intelligence and learning capacity
Urban coyotes quickly learn traffic patterns, human routines, and safe movement routes. Many become almost entirely nocturnal, allowing them to live close to people while remaining largely unseen.
What Urban Coyotes Eat
Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat whatever is available.
In urban areas, their diet may include:
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Rodents and rabbits
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Insects and fruit
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Carrion
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Occasionally human-related food sources
Rodents make up a significant portion of their diet, making coyotes important contributors to natural population control in cities.
How Coyotes Navigate Cities
Rather than roaming randomly, coyotes use cities strategically.
They often travel along:
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Park systems and greenbelts
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Drainage corridors and railways
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Riverbanks and undeveloped land
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Quiet residential edges at night
These pathways allow them to move efficiently while minimizing contact with people.
Why Coyotes Are Often Seen More in Winter
Coyote sightings frequently increase during colder months.
This happens because:
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Food becomes scarcer
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Coyotes travel farther to hunt
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Leaves fall, reducing cover
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Mating season begins in late winter
Increased visibility doesn’t necessarily mean increased numbers — just increased movement.
Are Urban Coyotes Dangerous?
Coyotes are naturally cautious animals and typically avoid people. The vast majority of urban coyotes live their entire lives without direct conflict with humans.
When problems do occur, they’re usually tied to:
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Habituation to human food
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Defensive behavior during pup-rearing season
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Surprise encounters at close range
Understanding coyote behavior helps reduce unnecessary fear and misinterpretation of normal wildlife activity.
Coyotes’ Role in Urban Ecosystems
Coyotes play an important ecological role, even in cities.
They help by:
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Controlling rodent populations
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Limiting overpopulation of smaller mammals
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Supporting balanced food webs
Their presence can even influence the behavior of other urban wildlife species, creating ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
Why Coyotes Are Here to Stay
Coyotes reproduce efficiently, learn quickly, and tolerate a wide range of environments. These traits make them incredibly resilient in the face of urban expansion.
As cities continue to grow, coyotes will likely remain part of the urban wildlife landscape — not as invaders, but as long-term residents.
Learning to Coexist
Urban coyotes highlight an important reality: cities are no longer wildlife-free zones. They are shared environments where animals adapt to human presence rather than disappear because of it.
Education and awareness play a key role in:
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Reducing panic during sightings
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Encouraging realistic expectations
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Promoting coexistence rather than conflict
Coyotes are not symbols of urban failure — they are examples of wildlife resilience.
Final Thoughts
Urban coyotes represent one of the most fascinating wildlife success stories of modern times. Intelligent, adaptable, and remarkably discreet, they have learned to live alongside millions of people — often without being noticed.
Their presence reminds us that nature doesn’t end where pavement begins. It simply changes form.
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If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation problem, don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling 855-WILDLIFE or by visiting www.wildilfexteam.com for more information.
Thanks!
-Wildlife x Team International