coyotes in Florida: Exploring their Presence and Impact
There is a very big misconception about the presence of coyotes in the United States. It is generally reported that these wild dogs have originated from the western side of the USA and could only be found on this side of the USA. It is not true. Coyotes have a very active presence throughout the United States of America. Fossils of the coyotes were actually discovered back almost 2.6 million years ago. Initially, Coyotes in Florida were prevented from entering the state due to the presence of red wolves and gray wolves in the state. With the decimation of the wolves from Florida, coyotes have been very actively penetrating the state since the 1970s.
Now you can witness these wild dogs in almost all the 67 counties of the state. That’s why the conservation department of the state has officially declared them the natural part of the ecosystem of the state. The residents of Florida are very concerned about their presence in the state but there is nothing to worry about as these wild dogs are fearful of human encounters. In this article, we are going to explore the coyotes in Florida in detail and let you know the social behavior of the coyotes in Florida.
Contents
Do coyotes live in Florida?
Coyotes are living throughout the State of Florida. According to the report of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, coyotes have an active and documented presence in all 67 counties of the state. They have become part of the ecosystem of Florida. They have a very symbiotic relationship with domestic dogs and are highly adaptable to a variety of environments. Despite being shy and elusive nature of these wild animals, they occasionally encounter human beings in the state.
People hate the presence of these animals in the state especially in the urban due to the disturbance of the daily lifestyle of people due to these animals. They are also being trapped and hunted on a very large scale by the people to get rid of them once and for all. It is not easy to get rid of them as these wild animals are also helpful in maintaining the ecosystem by controlling the population of rodents and other small predators like opossums, raccoons, and foxes. Coyotes are native to the North American region and have been residing in Florida state since their first presence in the state. The population of coyotes is also multiplying very rapidly in the state due to their good reproduction tendencies.
History of the Coyotes in Florida
First of all, the large size presence of coyotes was witnessed in the state of Florida in the 1970s. They have slowly and gradually penetrated almost all the nooks and corners of the state. Nowadays, they have become a very important segment of the natural ecosystem of the state. Previously, they were repelled by the red and gray wolfs of Florida. Since the eradication of the wolves from the state due to the destruction of the natural state, Coyotes have started staking their place.
According to a recent estimate of the researchers, there are almost 0.2 to 1.2 coyotes in every square mile of the state. It means that the population of coyotes could be anywhere from 13,000 to 70,000 in the state. Although it is extremely difficult to calculate the exact population size of the state. In the last 50 years, they have settled very well in the state. They are playing a very vital role in controlling the invasive population of the animals like rodents, and bugs, and try their best to preserve the flora and fauna of the state.
Also, read our comparison of Coyote vs hyena.
Florida coyote size
Coyote size in Florida is generally similar to coyotes found in other regions. Adult coyotes in Florida typically have a body length ranging from about 3 to 4 feet and stand around 2 feet tall till the shoulder. Their weight typically falls between 20 to 50 pounds, with males typically being larger than females.
Where do coyotes live in Florida?
Generally, coyotes are actively available in all the counties of the state. The size of their population is also multiplying very rapidly in the state. It was recently experimented by the Florida Fish and wildlife conservation commission with the help of a live tracker, all the spots of Florida have some presence of these wild dogs except a few areas where the habitat is not suitable for them.
Coyotes are highly adaptable animals and they can easily make dens in hollow logs, ditches, and in artificial structures like temporary shelters. Being territorial by nature, they have covered almost 2000 to 12000 acres of the state. They like to live in the form of a pack and do their best for the protection of their territory. They only leave their territory once they know that another pack of coyotes is ready to take their place.
Coyotes in South Florida
Coyotes are not native to South Florida. The presence of coyotes in South Florida is believed to be a result of their natural dispersal and human-induced factors such as habitat changes and the introduction of non-native species that serve as potential prey. It’s important to note that the population of coyotes in South Florida is still relatively small compared to other areas where they are more established.
Coyotes in North Florida
Coyotes are present in North Florida, and their range extends throughout the state. While their presence in North Florida may not be as widespread as in other parts of the state, they have been observed in counties such as Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and others.
Coyotes in Central Florida
Coyotes are present in Central Florida. Central Florida, including areas such as Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County, and others, has experienced an expansion of coyote populations in recent years.
Why it is difficult to control the population of coyotes in Florida?
It is almost impossible to control or eradicate the population of coyotes from Florida state with the help of the methods like Hunting and trapping. By activities like hunting and trapping, you may put pressure on their population but they can easily move from one difficult-to-live area to another area where they have found good habitat. If you will try to remove them they also reproduce very fast and the average reproduction of their pups also increased a lot. They are capable of maintaining their original population size in very few months.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Coyotes have established their population in Florida, despite being a non-native member of the state. Understanding their presence and adopting responsible coexistence measures are crucial for minimizing conflicts and fostering harmonious relationships with wildlife. The presence of Coyotes in Florida has become necessary for the maintenance of the local ecosystem of the state as the coyotes are quite good at controlling the population of bugs and rodents which are dangerous.
