Comprehensive Diagnostic Radiology
Coyotes in Harbor Isle
Growing up with Montana roots and having spent much of my childhood summers in Montana, the last thing I would expect to see in Harbor Isle is a coyote. When I first moved here in 1989, there were no coyotes in the area at all. However, anyone who lives in this neighborhood now, knows that coyote sightings are a frequent occurrence, both here as well as on the adjacent Mangrove Bay Golf Course.
When they first appeared in the neighborhood, they were a rare sight, seen usually only at night or at dawn. However, the other day my neighbor, Carl, informed me there was a “German Shepherd” wandering free on the berm in the middle of the day. I went over to the berm with another neighbor, Richard, and we were amazed to see a large brown coyote, the size of a German Shepherd, in broad daylight and seemingly unafraid. This coyote was much larger than the coyotes of my youth in western Montana. It had reddish-brown fur and an almost small wolfish appearance. What was more disturbing was that it did not seem to be bothered by humans. Later that same day as I went on my walk, another neighbor, Steve, came up to me who was not far from the berm, informing me that his cat was missing, and could I please be on the lookout? I was hesitant to tell him that I had just seen a large coyote on the berm. I heard later on that he did, in fact, find his cat. My neighbor Kenny, who runs the Mangrove Bay Golf Course, also told me that every morning he is greeted by coyote scat scattered around his office outside. He feels that the fairly large population of coyotes residing there are “taunting” him each morning with this act. They frequently roam the golf course at dawn, before the golfers arrive, and at dusk, after the golfers depart. These same coyotes are frequently heard in the evenings with their yipping calls, reverberating throughout Harbor Isle.
Another evening after dark while on my walk, I was approached by a young mother with her small dog on a leash asking if I could please walk her home. A large coyote had just approached her and was growling at her dog. I walked her home without event, while frequently looking over my shoulder.
So, how did these coyotes get here? Research shows the most likely explanation is that they migrated east across the bridges of the Mississippi River sometime in the mid-1970s from their natural range in the American West . Coyotes have traditionally preferred the open plains of the western habitat rather than a forested eastern habitat. However, once bridges were built across the Mississippi River and the coyotes migrated east, they gradually adapted to their new environment and more specifically, the urban environment. Once these coyotes arrived, they rapidly spread throughout the east and into the state of Florida. They are now found in all counties in Florida and are even seen in urban areas such as Chicago and New York City.
Eastern coyotes are larger than their western cousins. Western coyotes rarely weigh more than 40 pounds, while eastern coyotes have been weighed in at over 50 pounds. Studies have shown that eastern coyotes are 21% heavier than their western cousins. Why is there a size difference? One theory was that some crossbreeding has occurred between eastern coyotes and eastern grey wolves. That is why these coyotes have more dog genetics, as they are in the same family as wolves. Coyotes will not mate with a dog, however. As one biologist said, “A coyote would rather kill a dog than mate with it.” This larger breed of eastern coyote that now seems to be ubiquitous in Harbor Isle is not a danger to humans in general, although there is one incident of a reported death in Nova Scotia, Canada from a “coywolf” or half-bred eastern coyote and wolf. Coyotes are, however, a significant threat to pets. There have been some reported cases of cat deaths by coyotes in the Harbor Isle neighborhood. They are certainly a risk to small dogs, also. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything including small mammals, fruits, human garbage and sometimes even deer. The large rabbit population in the neighborhood appears to be a major source of food for the coyotes, as well.
When I initially moved to Harbor Isle, there were virtually no rabbits anywhere. However, in the last ten or fifteen years, rabbits have been frequently seen on the lawns and in the gardens. With the advent of this increasing coyote population, the rabbits’ behavior seems to have changed. They used to be unafraid and would often come within two or three feet of me without spooking. In the last few weeks, we have identified multiple rabbit carcasses in our yard and in the surrounding street. Several nights ago as I went outside for my evening walk, on about my fifth step out the door a rabbit slammed into my leg running at full speed. I was stunned. Have the coyotes caused these normally friendly bunnies to revert into “panic mode?”
What can we do to reduce the coyote population in Florida? In the west, there are natural predators for coyotes. Wolves, in particular, frequently kill coyotes, helping to keep the numbers under control. Since coyotes are not native to our area, there are no natural predators here, and they are generally too smart to trap. The only really effective method to removing them is the “Montana solution” (a hired hunter), which rumor has it, is used by the Tampa International Airport on occasion to remove coyotes from the runways. Even so, studies show that as the coyote population decreases, they instinctively produce more pups, so it appears that coyotes are here to stay.
A few things you can do to help keep coyotes away:
1. Do not let your cats out at night, and use caution during the day.
2. Always keep your dogs on a leash.
3. Do not leave unattended trash or food outside.
Call Fish and Game if you have observed a coyote that appears to be behaving unusually.
One method used in Montana to scare coyotes away is called “hazing.” If you encounter a coyote, walk straight towards him waving your arms and yelling, and the coyote will flee. If a child is with you, and the coyote is approaching the child, yell and step towards the coyote, grab the child and slowly back away. Never run from a coyote! Several months ago, I found myself face to face with a coyote late one evening while on my street. I attempted the western method of yelling and approaching the coyote while walking towards it. I was amazed that the coyote did not seem to be afraid, and I got within almost 10 feet of it before it started to slowly move away. This new breed of “urban coyotes” seems to be less fearful.