Living with Coyotes
Coyotes are found throughout Florida. According to a 2007 FWC report, the presence of coyotes has been documented in all 67 Florida counties. Coyotes arrived in Florida as part of natural range expansion from western states; they now live in every state but Hawaii. This medium-sized canine, a close relative of the domestic dog, is extremely adaptable and can be found in rural, suburban and urban landscapes. They are typically shy and elusive but encounters between people and coyotes in Florida are occurring more often.
Coyotes help maintain balanced ecosystems by controlling the populations of rodents and smaller predators, such as foxes, opossums and raccoons, which naturally occur in higher densities and can quickly overpopulate areas of habitat. Coyotes are native to North America, have been in Florida for many years, and will continue to make their homes around the state.
Coyotes in Florida: Here to Stay
Removing coyotes for the purpose of eradication is an inefficient and ineffective method to control populations. New coyotes move into areas where others have been removed. Removal activities such as hunting and trapping place pressure on coyote populations, and the species responds by reproducing at a younger age and producing more pups per litter; populations can quickly return to their original size.
Coyotes are in Florida due to natural range expansion from western states. Coyotes now live in every state but Hawaii. Visit the FWC Coyote Species Profile for additional information about coyote biology.
How to Haze Coyotes
This short, educational video discusses how to effectively “haze” or deter coyotes. Coyotes in urban areas may learn to tolerate human presence instead of fleeing. Hazing is the process of disturbing an animal’s sense of security so it leaves an area or otherwise changes its behavior. Methods of hazing may include the use of audible, visual or physical devices or actions to cause the desired reaction.
Coyote reacting to an audible alarm deterrent
Using deterrents such as motion-activated sprinklers or audible alarms can help haze and scare away coyotes and other wildlife from your property and encourage them to leave the area. This video shows an audible alarm at work, effectively deterring a coyote (note: turn your volume down before playing, as the alarm is loud!).
Coyotes are not large animals and rarely pose a threat to people, especially adults. They can be curious but are also timid and generally run away if challenged. If a coyote approaches too closely, there are methods you can use to deter it and frighten it away. Hazing the animal by making loud noises and acting aggressively will typically cause a coyote to leave an area, but you may need to increase and continue hazing efforts until the coyote is effectively deterred and leaves the area for good. There are several methods of hazing that are effective with coyotes.
Prevent Problems with Coyotes
Never feed coyotes either intentionally or unintentionally. This includes placing food outside to attract wildlife. Clean up pet food, fallen fruit and seed around bird feeders – coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will be drawn to and eat all of these potential food sources. Secure garbage cans and secure compost. Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds to prevent coyotes and other animals from resting or raising their young in areas around your home. Educate your neighbors and ask them to follow these same steps.
FWC can help educate your community about coyotes. Contact your FWC Regional Office to request coyote outreach.
Coyotes that associate places where people live as an easy place to find food may gradually lose their natural fear of humans. Be aware of unusual coyote behavior. Unusual behavior could include a coyote that has lost its fear of humans and is approaching people, chasing joggers and bikers, or attacking leashed pets. Unusual coyote behavior can be reported to your nearest FWC Regional Office.
Interactive Coyote Map
This map shows coyote reports from the FWC’s Wildlife Incident Management System.
Coyotes can and do prey on domestic cats and small dogs. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or in the early evening or morning hours (dusk and dawn). To protect your pets, do not allow them to roam freely. Keep cats indoors. Free-roaming cats are at a high risk of being preyed on by coyotes and other animals. Walk small dogs on a short leash that is less than six feet, especially at night, dusk or dawn. Be extra careful if you are going to walk your pet in wooded areas or areas that have heavy foliage, where coyotes may rest.
Spanish Language Resource: Proteja a su Mascota de los Osos Negros y los Coyotes
- Feeding Coyotes is illegal. They will lose their fear of humans.
- Secure garbage cans. Clean up pet food and fallen fruit.
- Secure livestock in predator-resistant enclosures.
- Keep pets in enclosed areas. Walk dogs on a short leash.
Coyotes are an important part of the landscape in Florida. They help maintain healthy ecosystems by managing populations of rodents, insects and other small animals. By preventing conflicts, we can better exist with coyotes and other wildlife.
The average Florida coyote weighs about 28 pounds and has a paw track about 2 inches long.
This infographic was developed with assistance from the Urban Coyote Initiative.
More Information
Living with Coyotes-
Coyotes in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Coyotes are medium-sized mammals in the same family as dogs, wolves and foxes. Their fur is generally salt-and-pepper gray, with tan or brown patches. They have a thick, bushy tail, long, pointy nose and pointy ears. Adults in Florida weigh between 20 and 35 pounds on average, and males are generally larger and heavier than females.
Coyotes are found in several habitat types and are common in rural, suburban, and even some urban landscapes. According to a 2007 FWC report, the presence of coyotes has been documented in all 67 Florida counties.
Encounters between people and coyotes in Florida are occurring more often. As coyotes become used to people, they may lose some fear of people, so sightings of coyotes during the day may increase. Coyotes also become more difficult to scare away if they lose their fear of people. But, like other wild animals, that tendency will vary from one coyote to another.
Coyote attacks on dogs and cats have been reported in Florida. In some cases, pet owners were present at the time of the attack. However, no humans have been the target of attacks in Florida.
Coyotes are not large animals and rarely pose a threat to people, especially adults. Using common sense around coyotes and other carnivores is the best protection against having problems. If a coyote approaches you, immediately use a noisemaker or shout at the coyote and wave your arms. A solid walking stick or a golf club is a powerful deterrent at close range. Throwing stones, a strong spray from a water hose, pepper spray, or a paintball gun also can be good deterrents. A “coyote shaker” or an air horn can be effective noisemakers. You can make a coyote shaker by placing a few washers, pebbles or pennies in an empty drink container.
Adults should yell loudly and then move toward the coyote. In many cases, an adult who yells and approaches quickly can startle the coyote. That can give the adult a chance to lift the child as quickly as possible. That adult then should be prepared to back away from the coyote while being ready to defend himself, if necessary.
Don’t allow your dogs or cats to roam freely. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or in the early evening and early morning hours (that is, dusk and dawn). During those times especially, be careful if you’re going to walk your pet in wooded areas or areas where there are a lot of other plants growing, which could conceal coyotes. Also, keep your dog close and on a short leash that is less than six feet. Keep cats indoors. When cats roam freely their risk of injury from coyotes, domestic dogs, and other threats is greatly increased.
Be cautious if you are going to pick up your pet when you see a coyote. Picking up a pet may stop a coyote attack, but it can also lead to a situation in which an aggressive coyote continues to go after that pet while in the arms of a person.
A well-maintained fence may assist in keeping coyotes out of yards. If pets are kept in a fenced yard, be sure the fence is at least six feet high to deter coyotes from jumping over it. Also, check the bottom of the fence regularly to make sure there are no holes that would allow coyotes to get underneath. Consider adding an electrified fence if you think additional protection is needed.
You can report the incident to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by calling the FWC regional office nearest to you or by calling 888-404-3922.
The most effective ways to reduce problems with coyotes involve removing food or other attractants. Seeing a coyote in your area should not be a cause for concern because coyotes are common and will continue to exist near humans. However, if a coyote has lost its fear of humans or continues to be a problem, lethal control measures may be necessary. Such methods should be directed at specific coyotes or toward coyotes in a specific area.
Hunting and trapping are allowable methods year round for dealing with coyotes on private lands in Florida, or a professional trapper can be hired to remove coyotes. An FWC permit is required use steel traps.
The FWC does not license nuisance wildlife trappers but does maintain a list of trappers that have registered their contact information. The USDA Wildlife Services also can provide assistance with wildlife trapping; call 866-487-3297.
