The Colony Courier-leader > News
Urban biologist takes proactive approach
By BLAINE CRIMMINS, Staff writer
"Coyotes are here to stay, but we can coexist."
That was the theme of a presentation by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Urban Biologist Brett Johnson, who spoke to a gathering of residents at The Colony Community Center on Aug. 13.
Seeking first to dispel any myths, Johnson pointed out that coyotes are not the large predators some make them out to be.
"This is where I like to start. Let's look at some realistic numbers," he said. "I've got all kinds of reports of 60-plus pound coyotes ... (but) there just aren't that many running around." The ones that do reach that size live in Canada.
In fact, the average male coyote weighs only 33 pounds and has a torso just under 3 feet long. Females average 29 pounds.
"If you get up around 44 (pounds), you're big. But that's actually pretty uncommon," Johnson said. However, "I do know there's a couple that hang out off of (U.S. Highway) 75 in Plano that may legitimately be pushing 44 pounds."
Coyotes are rarely seen, but often heard. They are considered to be the most vocal canine in the world, and communicate well with each other, Johnson said.
"These guys can make up to 11 different vocalizations. When I get most of my calls, in March and April, most of the time it's for a pack of coyotes," he said. "That will be most of the reports we get, but what's funny is nobody ever really sees them."
Packs of coyotes are also uncommon. Most travel alone or in mating pairs over a homerange of 5 square miles. Coyotes are most active from approximately 10 p.m. to midnight, and can travel 1 to 4 miles per night.
And they are found in virtually every county in the state. While there have been cases of coyotes infected with rabies in far West Texas, the vast majority of rabies cases throughout the state are skunks.
The coyote's success comes from possessing unique biological adaptations that enable it to thrive in urban environments. In the recent past, two coyotes have even found their way into Central Park in New York City.
"These guys are extremely adaptable," he said. When it comes to habitat requirements, about the only thing that's going to restrict a coyote is the fact their dens must be within 6 miles of a water source while rearing their pups.
"Where in the state of Texas are you going to get more than six miles away from water," Johnson said. "There's plenty of water out there for them."
Looking at map of The Colony, Johnson pointed out the many streams and creeks which create "wildlife highways" cutting across the city, not to mention Lewisville Lake.
Their favorite foods are small mammals (particularly rabbits), rodents, bullfrogs, and reptiles. They've been known to occasionally prey on livestock but they are also fond of Mexican plums and persimmons. "Coyotes have a major sweet tooth," Johnson said.
Along with helping keep the rodent population in check, one of the coyote's major ecological functions is scavenging. Coyotes will eat carrion, which often includes the remains of cats killed by motor vehicles, and garbage, Johnson said. "If made available they will love trash," he said.
Unfortunately, some pets fall into the small mammal category. Regarding coyotes preying on small pets, Johnson considers this a value judgement. "Is this a coyote issue or a responsible pet-ownership issue," he asked.
There are steps one can take to keep their pets out of harm's way, such as properly managing outdoor pet food, following leash laws, and keeping cats indoors.
Given their solitary, nocturnal nature, coyotes will generally avoid human contact. In order to know when a coyote may be moving from neighbor to threat, Johnson offered seven progressive "warning behaviors:"
*An increase in coyote observations at night;
*Coyote approaching adults and/or pets at night;
*Early morning/late afternoon sightings, particularly on streets, parks, or yards, indicating the animal is becoming perhaps too comfortable. This is a good time to use aversive conditioning if the opportunity arises, Johnson said, such as spraying the animal with a water hose from a distance so it will continue to fear human contact. The concept of being hit with water when it's not raining is "mind boggling" to the coyote;
*Daylight observations of chasing and/or taking pets;
*Daylight attacks on leashed pets or pets in close proximity to their owners. This would be the time to consider a targeted, lethal removal of the animal from the area, Johnson said, adding that relocating coyotes is not recommended from an ecological standpoint, and that private trappers are not legally authorized to relocate coyotes;
*Midday sightings near play areas or parks; and,
*Aggressive behavior toward adults midday.
"Let's be proactive, rather than reactive when it comes to coyotes," Johnson concluded. To that end, a reporting system has been set up enabling biologists to better track coyotes, in addition to educational outreach programs and efforts to promote ordinances addressing pet ownership responsibility.
Anyone wishing to report the time and location of a coyote sighting may call the DFW Wildlife Coalition from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 972-234-9453. Urban Biologist Brett Johnson may be reached at dallasbiologist@airmail.net.
That was the theme of a presentation by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Urban Biologist Brett Johnson, who spoke to a gathering of residents at The Colony Community Center on Aug. 13.
Seeking first to dispel any myths, Johnson pointed out that coyotes are not the large predators some make them out to be.
"This is where I like to start. Let's look at some realistic numbers," he said. "I've got all kinds of reports of 60-plus pound coyotes ... (but) there just aren't that many running around." The ones that do reach that size live in Canada.
In fact, the average male coyote weighs only 33 pounds and has a torso just under 3 feet long. Females average 29 pounds.
"If you get up around 44 (pounds), you're big. But that's actually pretty uncommon," Johnson said. However, "I do know there's a couple that hang out off of (U.S. Highway) 75 in Plano that may legitimately be pushing 44 pounds."
Coyotes are rarely seen, but often heard. They are considered to be the most vocal canine in the world, and communicate well with each other, Johnson said.
"These guys can make up to 11 different vocalizations. When I get most of my calls, in March and April, most of the time it's for a pack of coyotes," he said. "That will be most of the reports we get, but what's funny is nobody ever really sees them."
Packs of coyotes are also uncommon. Most travel alone or in mating pairs over a homerange of 5 square miles. Coyotes are most active from approximately 10 p.m. to midnight, and can travel 1 to 4 miles per night.
And they are found in virtually every county in the state. While there have been cases of coyotes infected with rabies in far West Texas, the vast majority of rabies cases throughout the state are skunks.
The coyote's success comes from possessing unique biological adaptations that enable it to thrive in urban environments. In the recent past, two coyotes have even found their way into Central Park in New York City.
"These guys are extremely adaptable," he said. When it comes to habitat requirements, about the only thing that's going to restrict a coyote is the fact their dens must be within 6 miles of a water source while rearing their pups.
"Where in the state of Texas are you going to get more than six miles away from water," Johnson said. "There's plenty of water out there for them."
Looking at map of The Colony, Johnson pointed out the many streams and creeks which create "wildlife highways" cutting across the city, not to mention Lewisville Lake.
Their favorite foods are small mammals (particularly rabbits), rodents, bullfrogs, and reptiles. They've been known to occasionally prey on livestock but they are also fond of Mexican plums and persimmons. "Coyotes have a major sweet tooth," Johnson said.
Along with helping keep the rodent population in check, one of the coyote's major ecological functions is scavenging. Coyotes will eat carrion, which often includes the remains of cats killed by motor vehicles, and garbage, Johnson said. "If made available they will love trash," he said.
Unfortunately, some pets fall into the small mammal category. Regarding coyotes preying on small pets, Johnson considers this a value judgement. "Is this a coyote issue or a responsible pet-ownership issue," he asked.
There are steps one can take to keep their pets out of harm's way, such as properly managing outdoor pet food, following leash laws, and keeping cats indoors.
Given their solitary, nocturnal nature, coyotes will generally avoid human contact. In order to know when a coyote may be moving from neighbor to threat, Johnson offered seven progressive "warning behaviors:"
*An increase in coyote observations at night;
*Coyote approaching adults and/or pets at night;
*Early morning/late afternoon sightings, particularly on streets, parks, or yards, indicating the animal is becoming perhaps too comfortable. This is a good time to use aversive conditioning if the opportunity arises, Johnson said, such as spraying the animal with a water hose from a distance so it will continue to fear human contact. The concept of being hit with water when it's not raining is "mind boggling" to the coyote;
*Daylight observations of chasing and/or taking pets;
*Daylight attacks on leashed pets or pets in close proximity to their owners. This would be the time to consider a targeted, lethal removal of the animal from the area, Johnson said, adding that relocating coyotes is not recommended from an ecological standpoint, and that private trappers are not legally authorized to relocate coyotes;
*Midday sightings near play areas or parks; and,
*Aggressive behavior toward adults midday.
"Let's be proactive, rather than reactive when it comes to coyotes," Johnson concluded. To that end, a reporting system has been set up enabling biologists to better track coyotes, in addition to educational outreach programs and efforts to promote ordinances addressing pet ownership responsibility.
Anyone wishing to report the time and location of a coyote sighting may call the DFW Wildlife Coalition from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 972-234-9453. Urban Biologist Brett Johnson may be reached at dallasbiologist@airmail.net.
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