Coyotes in Galveston

by Diana Oliver

I thought I knew Galveston. Yes, indeed, I thought I knew Galveston very well, at least when it comes to attractions, restaurants, parks, nature areas, and birding sites - you know, the things tourists are interested in and the things that make up the Galveston Fun Map. Unfortunately, the one tidbit of information that I did not know a few months ago, that would have made all the difference, is that there are coyotes in Galveston. I found this out the hard way one evening when I lost my affectionate little Yorkie to one.

    After a long day of gathering information and taking pictures for the annual Fun Map update, I wanted to treat my two dogs to a leisurely walk off-leash away from people and traffic. The West End and the East End are perfect for that, especially in the winter time when they are all but deserted. I was closer to the East End so we headed toward the ship channel. It was getting dark fast. Being completely unaware that coyotes live on Galveston Island, my only concerns were snakes and "bad" men. It was too cold for snakes to be out. I stayed far away and out of sight of the occupants of all the other cars, a total of two. They were just fishing anyway. I carried my cell phone in my pocket and stayed close to my vehicle. I thought I was being as cautious as was necessary

    I was keeping a very watchful eye on the dogs, as it did get dark on us, when suddenly Tina just disappeared. And I mean suddenly too. Seconds before, I could see her outline just ahead of me, as there was light from the nearby ships and from the stars overhead. I alternated searching and waiting at the car, all the while calling her name. After about an hour a car passed, and across the street, illuminated in the headlights I saw a coyote standing on the wetlands side (opposite the side with the dunes and ship channel). My heart sank because in that moment I realized being in the vicinity of coyotes spelled disaster for a small lost pet. It took another hour to find her, and when I did, her lifeless body was exactly where I had seen the coyote.

    I'm not sure why a coyote would kill her. It didn't eat her. If it had been scared off, it didn't even come back for her. Possibly, it was the competitive spirit of a predator killing another predator (or in this case, trash can prowler). Possibly, the coyote mistook the little dog for a rabbit, attacking before it realized she wasn't a rabbit, and then just leaving her where it had killed her. Possibly, Tina provoked an attack with barking, as she was known to bark at much bigger dogs.

    I talked to several Galvestonians about their knowledge of coyotes in Galveston. Responses were basically of two varieties. Either they said, "Oh, I didn't know there were coyotes in Galveston!" or they responded with "Yes, there are coyotes in Galveston" and then they had a story to tell, such as: "My neighbor lost a pet to one," or, "I saw one close to town in the daytime." As things go, I didn't intend to write an article about coyotes, but after my shocking experience and loss, I did some research and am passing this information on to you.

Name

The scientific name for coyote, canis latrans, means "barking dog," a suitable name since coyotes are very vocal. Hearing the yaps, barks, and howls of a coyote is much more common than seeing one.

    In the northwestern U.S. the word coyote is usually pronounced as two syllables and has a silent e, (kai-oat). In the southwestern U.S. the last vowel is pronounced, making it a three syllable word (kai yo tee). Both pronunciations are correct.

Characteristics

The coloring and size of a coyote resembles a small German Shepherd. Coyotes are bigger than foxes, smaller than wolves, and weigh on average 25-40 pounds. In the far northern reaches of their range, they can weigh up to 75 pounds.

See more pictures.

    Of all the canids, coyotes are the best runners. They normally lope at about 25 mph, but can get up to 40 mph for short distances. Coyotes run with their tail down instead of up like a dog. They can easily leap an 8 foot fence or wall, and can climb over a 14 foot chain link fence. Coyotes are also strong swimmers.

    Coyotes are very intelligent, and can learn better than dogs by observation - watching, and then doing. They quickly learn food sources, how to avoid humans and their traps, and that a recording of a mountain lion is not real.

Range

The coyotes' original range was primarily the western half of North America, but as one of the most adaptable animals in the world, they have successfully adapted to the changing landscape across the continent in the last 200 years. Today they can be found throughout North and Central America, from Panama, throughout the entire continental United States, Alaska, and in all but the northernmost portions of Canada.

    The elimination of large predators that are the natural enemies of coyotes - the grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, but especially wolves - has vastly contributed to the expansion of coyotes. In areas where wolves have been exterminated, coyotes have simply filled the empty niche.

    Coyotes can modify their breeding habits, diet and even social dynamics to survive in a wide variety of habitats. Whereas many wildlife species have dwindled or disappeared with the expansion of urban areas, coyotes, like tree squirrels, have just become accustomed to living in close proximity to humans. Coyotes have been known to den in golf courses, city parks, and other miniature nature environments within cities.

Diet

In its natural habitat, the coyote is primarily a carnivore, with about 90% of its diet coming from mammals such as rabbits, voles, mice, rats, gophers, ground squirrels, and other small mammals. It also eats frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, insects, deer, and many kinds of fruit (especially persimmons, melons, and berries). It will eat carrion, especially in the winter, if other food is less available.

    Ranchers often hate coyotes because they will prey on their lambs, goats, calves and poultry. Coyotes are a serious livestock predator in the western United States, however because they eat carrion, coyotes sometimes get the blame for killing livestock that they didn't actually kill. Studies of coyotes in rural areas have consistently shown that the most numerous food item taken by coyotes, both by weight and number of individuals, are rodents and rabbits. Grain farmers are more tolerant of coyotes than ranchers since coyotes eat the agricultural pests that eat their grain.

    It's been reported that in some areas of California that coyotes keep the skunk and feral cat populations down. Coyotes are not effective bird catchers, but feral cats are. Feral cats decimate bird populations and other native wildlife across the country.

    Before coyote pups are old enough to learn hunting skills from their parents away from the den, they catch and eat insects.

Lifespan

Few coyotes live more than 6-8 years in the wild, but their life expectancy doubles that when in captivity, about the same as dogs.

    They mate once a year; the average litter size is six pups. Estimates vary, but experts agree that less than 25-50% of pups reach adulthood. Sexual maturity is reached by 12 months.

    Coyote pups are vulnerable to hawks, owls, and where they exist, mountain lions.

Other Interesting Facts

There are 19 recognized subspecies of coyotes.

    Although uncommon, coyotes can mate with domestic dogs. "Coydogs," maintain the coyote's predatory nature, along with the dog's lack of fear toward humans, making them a usually more serious threat to livestock than coyotes. This is one more reason to have your dogs spayed or neutered.

Avoiding Coyote Problems

As humans move into their territory and coyotes expand their range as well, contact is inevitable. Secretive and shy, coyotes go out of their way to avoid humans. In some areas, however, coyotes have become habituated to people by being fed by them, either purposely or inadvertently with easy access to garbage, pet food, and the like. In some areas (not Texas), some coyotes appear to be chasing joggers and bicyclists hoping to get a handout. Some of our national parks now even have coyotes that are begging for food.

    Don't leave pet food outside.

    Don't feed stray cats. Not only can the cat food and cats attract coyotes, but feeding feral cats contributes to a serious and growing problem in our country.

    Secure trashcans so they cannot be knocked over or gotten into by coyotes (as well as raccoons, etc.)

    Be wary of feeding stations set up to attract birds and squirrels. Coyotes may be attracted to the animals coming to the feeders.

    Pick up fallen fruit.

    Don't leave small pets outdoors at night, especially if you are in a remote area.

    Walk your dog on a leash, especially at dusk, night, and early morning.

    Talk to your neighbors and help educate them, especially if they are leaving pet food out.

    Never assume coyotes are not in the area that you are visiting, even if it has just a small nature area.

Final Word

Coyotes are here to stay. They have thrived despite massive efforts to poison, shoot, and trap them. Coyotes are not waiting behind bushes, waiting to pounce on a child or pet. If you see a coyote, it will most likely want to avoid you. In the rare instance that it has lost its fear of humans from being fed by them, simply make noise and wave your arms to frighten it away.

    I lost my pet due to 'human error' - walking a small dog, off-leash, after dusk next to a remote area full of wildlife. In hindsight, it sounds really stupid. I just didn't realize there were coyotes living on Galveston Island. But indeed, there are coyotes in Galveston, so when you visit the sunny, sandy isle, take reasonable precautions with your pets just as you would anywhere else in North America.