Page 16 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - September '24

Page 16, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Northern Notes

By Katie Roundtree, often heard making shrill yips and howls. Howling is
Director of Finance and often a group effort, a form of communication that helps
Administration, Northern them establish territory and coordinate group activities.
Palm Beach County It begins as a simple howl but quickly increases into a
Improvement District series of group howls and high-pitched barks.
The following Keep Your Pets Safe
information is from Coyotes can prey on domestic cats and small dogs.
a publication by the To protect your pets, don’t allow them to roam freely.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Most coyote attacks on pets occur at night, dusk, or
Conservation Commission dawn. During these times especially, be careful if you’re
(FWC) and the University walking your pet in wooded or heavily foliaged areas
of Florida/Institute of Food where coyotes could hide. Keep your dog close on a
and Agricultural Sciences. It provides information on short leash. Keep cats indoors. When cats wander freely,
coyotes and their interaction with people. they are more likely to be attacked by coyotes. Coyotes
Living With Coyotes are also attracted by garbage, as it provides an easy and
Coyotes are found throughout Florida. This adaptable reliable food source. Residents can significantly reduce
animal belongs to the dog family and resembles a small problems by moving attractants and securing trash.
German shepherd. In Florida, coyotes typically weigh Preventing Problems
between 15 and 30 pounds. They have pointed ears, a NEVER feed coyotes! Don’t place food outdoors that
narrow muzzle, and a bushy tail. Males tend to be larger will attract wild animals. Clean up pet food, fallen fruit,
than females. Coyote fur is usually grayish-brown but and seeds around bird feeders. Secure garbage cans and
occasionally black. When running, the coyote usually compost in animal-proof containers. Don’t try to pet a
holds its tail at “half-mast” or straight out behind it, unlike coyote; teach children not to approach any unfamiliar
most domestic dogs. animal. Don’t let coyotes intimidate you. Frighten coyotes Where coyote encounters occur regularly, walk pets
away by making loud noises and acting aggressively, such at other times besides nighttime hours, dusk, and dawn.
as waving your arms or spraying them with a hose. Please Carry something that will make noise or scare the animal,
don’t attempt to hurt it because injured animals are more such as a solid walking stick or golf club. These things
likely to attack. may deter the coyote at close range. Make a “coyote
Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds. shaker” by putting a few washers, pebbles, or pennies into
Coyotes and other animals use such areas to rear and an empty soft drink can. Wrap the can in foil and tape it
raise young. closed.
Teach children to recognize and not run from coyotes. Myths About Coyotes
If they are approached, have them move slowly into a Coyotes are extremely dangerous: FALSE!
house or climb up on a swing, tree, or deck and yell. There have been very few reported cases of Eastern
Educate your neighbors. By sharing this knowledge, coyotes biting people. The coyote’s innate fear of humans
you can empower them to take the necessary precautions tends to keep them from getting too close, so there’s no
and prevent conflicts with coyotes. Ask them to follow need to fear them excessively.
these same steps. Coyotes are a new problem: FALSE!
Coyote male (left) female (right). Co-Existing With Coyotes Coyotes have been in Florida for many years and will
Coyotes can be curious but are also timid and run away continue to make their homes around the state. Coyotes
Coyotes, typically shy and elusive, play an essential if challenged. Just remember that any wild animal will should be considered native or naturalized species, not
role in the ecosystem by helping control rodent protect itself or its young. Never initiate a close encounter
populations. Their presence is a testament to the balance with a coyote. Northern Notes on page 17
of nature, and we should appreciate their contribution.
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

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