Page 8 - PGA Community News - September '24

Page 8, PGA C.A.N.! September 2024 September 2024
Northern Notes

By Katie Roundtree, are also attracted by garbage, as it provides an easy and Myths About Coyotes
Director of Finance and reliable food source. Residents can significantly reduce Coyotes are extremely dangerous: FALSE!
Administration, Northern problems by moving attractants and securing trash. There have been very few reported cases of Eastern
Palm Beach County Preventing Problems coyotes biting people. The coyote’s innate fear of humans
Improvement District NEVER feed coyotes! Don’t place food outdoors that tends to keep them from getting too close, so there’s no
The foll owing will attract wild animals. Clean up pet food, fallen fruit, need to fear them excessively.
information is from and seeds around bird feeders. Secure garbage cans and Coyotes are a new problem: FALSE!
a publication by the compost in animal-proof containers. Don’t try to pet a Coyotes have been in Florida for many years and will
Florida Fish and Wildlife coyote; teach children not to approach any unfamiliar continue to make their homes around the state. Coyotes
Conservation Commission animal. Don’t let coyotes intimidate you. Frighten coyotes should be considered native or naturalized species, not
(FWC) and the University away by making loud noises and acting aggressively, such exotics. Fossil fragments recovered from Florida indicate
of Florida/Institute of Food as waving your arms or spraying them with a hose. Please coyotes occurred in the state as early as the late Pliocene
and Agricultural Sciences. It provides information on don’t attempt to hurt it because injured animals are more (2 million years before the present). Coyotes are found
coyotes and their interaction with people. likely to attack. across the state and have been documented in all 67
Living With Coyotes Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds. counties. This medium-sized predator is exceptionally
Coyotes are found throughout Florida. This adaptable Coyotes and other animals use such areas to rear and raise adaptable and thrives in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
animal belongs to the dog family and resembles a small young. Coyotes need our help to survive: FALSE!
German shepherd. In Florida, coyotes typically weigh Teach children to recognize and not run from coyotes. People like
between 15 and 30 pounds. They have pointed ears, a If they are approached, have them move slowly into a to feed animals.
narrow muzzle, and a bushy tail. Males tend to be larger house or climb up on a swing, tree, or deck and yell. However, providing
than females. Coyote fur is usually grayish-brown but Educate your neighbors. By sharing this knowledge, coyotes with a “free
occasionally black. When running, the coyote usually you can empower them to take the necessary precautions lunch” eliminates
holds its tail at “half-mast” or straight out behind it, unlike and prevent conflicts with coyotes. Ask them to follow their natural fear of
most domestic dogs. these same steps. humans and increases
Co-Existing With Coyotes their population.
Coyotes can be curious Remember … a
but are also timid and fed coyote causes
run away if challenged. problems.
Just remember that any Coyotes can be eliminated: FALSE!
wild animal will protect Removing coyotes is an inefficient and ineffective
itself or its young. Never method of controlling populations. Coyotes compensate
initiate a close encounter by increasing litter size, and new coyotes move into areas
with a coyote. where others have been removed. Populations can quickly
Where coyote return to their original size.
encounters occur NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
regularly, walk pets waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays,
at other times besides using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
nighttime hours, dusk, and dawn. Carry something that Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
Coyote male (left) female (right). will make noise or scare the animal, such as a solid temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains
walking stick or golf club. These things may deter the nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly
Coyotes, typically shy and elusive, play an essential coyote at close range. Make a “coyote shaker” by putting fertile water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for
role in the ecosystem by helping control rodent a few washers, pebbles, or pennies into an empty soft boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste
populations. Their presence is a testament to the balance drink can. Wrap the can in foil and tape it closed. carries diseases which make water unsafe.
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 often heard
making shrill yips and
howls. Howling is often
a group effort, a form of
communication that helps
them establish territory and
coordinate group activities.
It begins as a simple howl but quickly increases into a
series of group howls and high-pitched barks.
Keep Your Pets Safe
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
short leash. Keep cats indoors. When cats wander freely,
they are more likely to be attacked by coyotes. Coyotes

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