Coyote Safety Canis Latrans

[Tony Cooney]

Urban coyotes are here to stay, so we need to learn how to coexist with them. The predators can make perfectly good neighbors as long as they do not lose their natural fear of us.

Some tips for all of us to be safe:

1. Do not feed any wild animals such as raccoons or deer, which encourages coyotes as well.

2. Keep cats indoors at all times.

3. Keep your dog on a leash.

4. Do not leave cat or dog food outside.

5. Keep all garbage containers closed and inaccessible. Adding ammonia or pepper spray to trash can discourage rummaging by coyotes and other wildlife.

6. Do not let pets out at night unless accompanied by a person.

7. Do not feed coyotes! Avoid overflowing bird feeders and open compost bins.

8. Obey leash laws. Small dogs on the loose are attractive prey for coyotes, especially at night.

9. Cats? Keep them inside, along with pet food bowls.

10. In dry climates, even a water bowl can draw coyotes.

11. Do not invite coyotes to build dens next to (or under) your home: Seal crawl spaces, close sheds and thin brushy areas.

12. Even if you love seeing coyotes, do not let them know it. If a coyote visits your yard, wave your arms, shout, spray it with a hose. Be a threat!

These safety tips will keep your children and pets safe from harms way from a coyote.

Description of coyotes

They have grayish, yellowish, brownish fur on the top and whitish fur underneath. They have large ears that look like triangles and a long narrow muzzle. They look a bit like a wolf, but the most important difference is when they run; a dog runs with the tail up, a wolf runs with it's tail straight out but the coyote runs with its tail down. That is one way you can tell it's a coyote.

[Tony Cooney]

thks John t i hope to go around to the school this yr with this and others way to help out young kids on what to do