Page 14 - Jupiter Spotlight - September '24

Page 14, Jupiter Spotlight
Northern Notes

Preventing Problems an empty soft drink can. Wrap the can in foil and tape it
By Katie Roundtree, NEVER feed coyotes! Don’t place food outdoors that closed.
Director of Finance and will attract wild animals. Clean up pet food, fallen fruit, Myths About Coyotes
Administration, Northern and seeds around bird feeders. Secure garbage cans and Coyotes are extremely dangerous: FALSE!
Palm Beach County compost in animal-proof containers. Don’t try to pet a There have been very few reported cases of Eastern
Improvement District coyote; teach children not to approach any unfamiliar coyotes biting people. The coyote’s innate fear of humans
The following animal. Don’t let coyotes intimidate you. Frighten coyotes tends to keep them from getting too close, so there’s no
information is from away by making loud noises and acting aggressively, such need to fear them excessively.
a publication by the as waving your arms or spraying them with a hose. Please Coyotes are a new problem: FALSE!
Florida Fish and Wildlife don’t attempt to hurt it because injured animals are more
Conservation Commission likely to attack.
(FWC) and the University Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds.
of Florida/Institute of Food Coyotes and other animals use such areas to rear and
and Agricultural Sciences. It provides information on raise young.
coyotes and their interaction with people. Teach children to recognize and not run from coyotes.
Living With Coyotes If they are approached, have them move slowly into a
Coyotes are found throughout Florida. This adaptable house or climb up on a swing, tree, or deck and yell.
animal belongs to the dog family and resembles a small Educate your neighbors. By sharing this knowledge,
German shepherd. In Florida, coyotes typically weigh you can empower them to take the necessary precautions
between 15 and 30 pounds. They have pointed ears, a and prevent conflicts with coyotes. Ask them to follow
narrow muzzle, and a bushy tail. Males tend to be larger these same steps.
than females. Coyote fur is usually grayish-brown but Co-Existing With Coyotes
occasionally black. When running, the coyote usually Coyotes can be curious but are also timid and run away
holds its tail at “half-mast” or straight out behind it, unlike if challenged. Just remember that any wild animal will
most domestic dogs. protect itself or its young. Never initiate a close encounter
with a coyote.

Coyotes have been in Florida for many years and will
continue to make their homes around the state. Coyotes
should be considered native or naturalized species, not
exotics. Fossil fragments recovered from Florida indicate
coyotes occurred in the state as early as the late Pliocene
(2 million years before the present). Coyotes are found
across the state and have been documented in all 67
counties. This medium-sized predator is exceptionally
adaptable and thrives in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Coyotes need our help to survive: FALSE!
People like to feed animals. However, providing
coyotes with a “free lunch” eliminates their natural fear
Coyote male (left) female (right). of humans and increases their population. Remember …
a fed coyote causes problems.
Coyotes, typically shy and elusive, play an essential Coyotes can be eliminated: FALSE!
role in the ecosystem by helping control rodent Removing coyotes is an inefficient and ineffective
populations. Their presence is a testament to the balance method of controlling populations. Coyotes compensate
of nature, and we should appreciate their contribution. by increasing litter size, and new coyotes move into areas
where others have been removed. Populations can quickly
return to their original size.
NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays,
using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
Where coyote encounters occur regularly, walk pets Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
at other times besides nighttime hours, dusk, and dawn. temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains
Carry something that will make noise or scare the animal, nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly
such as a solid walking stick or golf club. These things fertile water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for
may deter the coyote at close range. Make a “coyote boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste
shaker” by putting a few washers, pebbles, or pennies into carries diseases which make water unsafe.

The scientific name of the coyote, Canis latrans,
literally means “barking dog.” Coyotes use a variety of
vocalizations, such as barking like dogs, but they are most
often heard making shrill yips and howls. Howling is
often a group effort, a form of communication that helps Life moves fast—
them establish territory and coordinate group activities.

It begins as a simple howl but quickly increases into a prepare for the unexpected
series of group howls and high-pitched barks.
Keep Your Pets Safe with Accident Insurance.
Coyotes can prey on domestic cats and small dogs.
To protect your pets, don’t allow them to roam freely.
Most coyote attacks on pets occur at night, dusk, or
dawn. During these times especially, be careful if you’re
walking your pet in wooded or heavily foliaged areas
where coyotes could hide. Keep your dog close on a We’re here to help.
short leash. Keep cats indoors. When cats wander freely,
they are more likely to be attacked by coyotes. Coyotes
are also attracted by garbage, as it provides an easy and Accident insurance complements your Florida Blue Health Plan. Call to learn more
reliable food source. Residents can significantly reduce about insurance plans from USAble Life.
problems by moving attractants and securing trash.
M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
561-440-9940

M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is an Independent Broker of Florida Blue.
Florida Blue is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Supplemental, Life, and Disability products are offered by USAble Life. USAble Life is an independent company
and operates separately from Florida Blue.
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