Coyotes in Texas: Examining Distribution And Impact

The population of coyotes has shown a very active growth rate at the start of the 20^th century. Nowadays, they are actively present in almost all the states of the USA including Texas. Coyotes are actually living side by side in Texas. These wild dogs have been highly successful in expanding their population despite the long raged war against them by the farmers and rangers in Texas. They are highly adaptable and constantly change themselves from one kind of habitat to another. Generally, people don’t like to live around the coyote as they are wild animals. The sightings of these wildlife dogs have become very common in areas like Texas.

Once these wild dogs also attacked a two-year-old child in the Dallas area. According to Dallas animal services, there were almost 14 calls about coyote sightings in the area before the happening of the incident. In this article, we are to discuss in detail the presence of Coyotes in Texas and how they are thriving, and why the wildlife authorities should be concerned about it.

Contents

The historical presence of coyotes in Texas
Coyotes in Texas
Texas coyote size
How to live with Coyotes in Texas?
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion

The historical presence of coyotes in Texas

Before the arrival of human beings in the North American continent, the coyotes along with red and gray wolves were present here. They reside in the grasslands and hunt animals like insects, rabbits, and mice. After the migration of the Europeans to these lands, they started attacking wolves. Wolves were also the main predators of the Coyotes and in the absence of the Wolves, the population of the coyotes started increasing very rapidly. Coyotes try to have a very dominant role in these lands and started preying on animals like deer and caribou.

In these areas, coyotes also take a lot of benefit from the cleared agriculture and forest lands. When actions were taken the reduction of their population, coyotes moved towards the North and increased their population with the help of their interbreeding with other animals like wolves and dogs. Now they have a very active presence throughout the North American continent and preferably live in the areas like deserts, forests, and mountains. You can also witness their presence in fully urban areas like Denver, Los Angeles, and Texas. These wild animals are also available in almost all the counties of Texas.

Coyotes in Texas

Two coyotes standing on the rocks — Yes, Coyotes are present in Texas.

In Texas, you will mainly witness prairie-type coyotes. They are the same as German shepherd dogs having weights varying between 25 to 40 pounds. These are quite easy to distinguish with the help of their bushy tail, pointed ears, and long and slender legs. They are very well-known for their strong smelling and sighting senses. They are very intelligent and use their senses and speed for the hunting of their prey.

They always prefer to live in packs and remain monogamous for most period of their life. Female gives birth to at least 3 to 12 pups at a time and both parents play their part in raising these pups. In just 3 to 6 months, pups become skilled enough to go out independently and do hunting on their own.

They communicate with the help of their sounds. They also make some specific sounds at the time of distress. They scream like women at night. These kinds of noises you can hear at nighttime. These animals are mainly nocturnal but could also come out in the daytime for the sake of hunting if they find it suitable. The diet of the coyotes varies from one region to another. It is also being said that the hybrid of wolf and coyotes are also very viral in the state of Texas. These animals have been named coywolf.

Coyotes in North Texas

North Texan Coyote in the city — North Texan coyotes are very territorial.

In the Northern side of Texas, the presence of the coyote has become a very major concern. On this side, the coyote acts very territorial by nature and also acts very aggressively during the mating season. Generally, they don’t come near or attack human beings but in the areas like Frisco, they could attack due to some reasons. Some of the coyotes are also attracted to humans in this region because of the easy food access. Some other Northern regions like Dallas and Fort also face this kind of situation.

Coyotes in East Texas

Many eastern Texas locations are also very difficult to live in due to the widespread availability of coyotes in these areas. In the eastern Texas cities like Tyler, Marshall, and Longview, coyotes are creating a lot of problems for the local population. Coyotes are available in these areas due to the good adaptability conditions and ideal habitats for these animals.

South Texas coyote

In South Texas, coyotes generally exhibit similar size characteristics to coyotes found in other regions of the state. It’s worth noting that regional variations in size can occur due to factors such as habitat, available prey, and genetic diversity. However, these variations are generally minor, and the size range mentioned earlier is applicable to South Texas coyotes as well.

Coyotes in Central Texas

In the central Texas regions like Travis and Austin, there is also a very active presence of Coyotes. In these areas, they don’t attack human beings occasionally but the local population does their best to keep them in check.

Texas coyote size

Coyote size can vary somewhat depending on factors such as age, sex, and geographic location. In general, adult coyotes in Texas typically have a body length ranging from about 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) and stand around 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall at the shoulder. Their weight typically falls between 20 to 50 pounds (9 to 23 kilograms), with males usually being larger and heavier than females.

How to live with Coyotes in Texas?

With the exploding coyote population in Texas, sightings of the coyote have become very common in every nook and corner of the state. The interaction between coyotes and human beings has also increased a lot. It could be a very negative interaction as the coyotes are wild animals and they might be provoked and attack human beings.

Measures to lessen Human coyote interaction.

Certain measures need to be adopted to minimize the interaction between human beings and coyotes.

You should never feed coyotes.
Always keep children and pets inside the house.
If you come across a coyote never run away but try to throw something hard towards them.
Don’t go near the coyote areas in the pupping season as the coyotes act very aggressively these days.
Fence the surrounding of your properties along with installing some flashlights on these fences.
Don’t try to provoke the coyote and try to leave them alone if they are coming towards you.

Dallas animal services have also offered some tips to keep coyotes away from you. In this regard, you should never try to approach but you must call 911 or try these hazing techniques to keep them away from your property.

The simplest way is to make some loud and large noises.
Stand tall and start yelling and waving at the coyote until they run away.
You could also make noises with the help of air horns, whistles, and bells.
You could also throw some soda cans filled with pebbles in the direction of the coyote.
You may also stomp your feet or bang pot or pans.
You may also startle the coyote by having rocks, sticks, tennis balls, or rubber balls always with you. You must never throw these things towards the coyote at the first interaction as it could provoke these animals.
You may also spray the coyote with the help of water-filled guns, or vinegar-water-filled bottles. You may also apply pepper spray or bear repellent in the way of coyotes to keep them away.

Frequently asked questions

Coyotes are wild animals and, like any wild animal, they should be treated with caution. While coyotes are typically not considered highly dangerous to humans, there are some factors to be aware of when it comes to encounters with coyotes in Texas or anywhere else.

In Texas, the regulations regarding the killing of coyotes are determined by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Coyotes are classified as non-game animals in Texas, meaning they are not protected by specific hunting seasons or bag limits. In most cases, it is legal to kill coyotes in Texas, as long as it is done in accordance with the state’s regulations.

No, coyotes are not considered invasive in Texas. In fact, coyotes are native to Texas and have been part of the state’s ecosystem for thousands of years. They play an important ecological role as predators and help maintain the balance of natural populations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, coyotes are not considered invasive in Texas. They are native to the state and fulfill important ecological roles. While human encounters with coyotes may occur, it is essential to approach these interactions with knowledge and caution. By implementing responsible practices, such as keeping small pets supervised, removing attractants, and seeking assistance from wildlife management authorities when necessary, we can foster a harmonious coexistence with coyotes in Texas.