Pest Animals: Coyotes

The coyote, or "little wolf" as the Native Americans call it, is a member of the dog family. Its name comes from the Aztec word "coyotl." Its scientific name is "canis latrans" which means "barking dog." Coyotes are not as large or heavy as many people believe; the typical adult male tips the scales at about 30 lbs; rarely up to 35 lbs. They are predominantly grayish to brownish in color with lighter colored bellies. Color may vary greatly, however, ranging from nearly black to red or almost white. Coyotes possess good eyesight and hearing and a highly developed sense of smell. They can run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour for short distances and travel over fairly large home ranges (from 2 to 20 square miles).

Identification
The ability to read the landscape and interpret sign is essential in assessing coyote presence and population trends. You should be able to identify coyotes by their tracks, droppings (scats), howls, and "slides" where they pass under fences. Coyote howls are easily identified, but, in areas of heavy control pressure, coyotes rarely howl.

Coyote Damage
Damage to livestock such as cattle, poultry, swine, and sheep can be extremely costly and may decimate entire herds.

Coyote Control
Preventative measures include Exclusion*. Control methods include Live Trapping*, Licensed Trapping*, Physical Capture*, Shooting*, Relocation*, and Destruction of the animal.

*For adetailed definition of each control method please see Animal Wildlife Control Services & Solutions»

Please note that, in contrast to almost all other Ontario animal control operations, as a licensed furbearer trapping company we are able to employ all of these control methods INCLUDING relocation or permanent removal of captured coyotes .

Coyote Breeding

Coyotes mate for life. Between January and March is the breeding period. The female selects and maintains the den, which is is usually hidden from view. Females carry their young for over two months. One to twelve pups are born in either April or May.

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