Page 12 - The Islander - December '20

Page 12, The Islander

NortherN Notes

Living With Coyotes

By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Local news recently Myths About Coyotes
ran a segment on coyote Coyotes Are Extremely Dangerous: False!
sightings in the Palm Beach There have been very few reported cases of Eastern
area and residents in our coyotes biting people. The coyote’s innate fear of humans
area have commented on tends to keep them from getting too close.
coyote sightings in the Coyotes Are A New Problem: False!
past, especially around Coyotes have been in Florida for many years and
dusk and dawn. The will continue to make their homes around the state. This
following information is medium-sized predator is extremely adaptable, thriving
from a publication by the in urban, suburban and rural areas.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Coyotes Need Our Help To Survive: False!
Conservation Commission People like to feed animals. However, by providing a
(FWC) and the University of Florida/Institute of Food “free lunch” for coyotes, you eliminate their natural fear
and Agricultural Sciences. It provides information on of humans and increase their populations. Remember …
coyotes and their interaction with people. a fed coyote causes problems. Keep them wild!
Living With Coyotes Coyotes Can Be Totally Eliminated: False!
Coyotes are found throughout Florida. This adaptable Removing coyotes is an inefficient and ineffective
animal belongs to the dog family and resembles a small method to control populations. They compensate by
German shepherd. In Florida, coyotes typically weigh slowly into a house or climb up on a swing, tree or deck increasing litter size and new coyotes move into areas
between 15 to 30 pounds. They have pointed ears, a and yell. where others have been removed. Populations can quickly
narrow muzzle and a bushy tail. Males tend to be larger Educate your neighbors. Ask them to follow these return to original size.
than females. Coyote fur is usually grayish-brown but same steps. NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
occasionally is black. When running, the coyote usually Coexisting With Coyotes waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays,
holds its tail at “half mast” or straight out behind it, unlike Coyotes can be curious but are also timid and generally using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
most domestic dogs. run away if challenged. Just remember that any wild Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
The scientific name of the coyote, Canis latrans, animal will protect itself or its young. Never initiate a temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains
literally means “barking dog.” Coyotes use a variety of close encounter with a coyote. nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly
vocalizations such as barking like dogs, but most often Where coyote encounters occur regularly, walk pets fertile water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for
they are heard making shrill yips and howls. Howling at other times besides nighttime hours, dusk and dawn. boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste
is often a group effort that begins as a simple howl, but Carry something that will make noise or scare the animal, carries diseases which make water unsafe.
quickly increases into a series of group howls and high- such as a solid walking stick or golf club. These things This information was produced by the Florida Fish
pitched barks. may deter the coyote at close range. Make a “coyote and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the
Coyotes typically are shy and elusive, but they shaker” by putting a few washers, pebbles or pennies into University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural
occasionally can be spotted either alone, in pairs or in an empty soft drink can. Wrap the can in foil and tape Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the state of Florida
small groups where food is readily available. Coyotes closed. and is reproduced with permission.
remain active year-round and play an important role in the
ecosystem by helping to keep rodent populations under
control. Welcome Back
Keep Your Pets Safe our Winter Residents And Visitors
Coyotes can and do prey on domestic cats and small
dogs. To protect your pets, don’t allow them to roam Look at my new offerings at Sugar Sands, Singer Island
freely. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night
or at dusk or dawn. During these times especially, be
careful if you’re walking your pet in wooded areas or in
heavily foliaged areas where coyotes could hide. Keep
your dog close, on a short leash. Keep cats indoors. When
cats wander freely, there’s an increased risk of them being
attacked by coyotes. Coyotes are also attracted to garbage.
Problems can be significantly reduced if residents remove
attractants and secure trash.
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and seed around bird feeders. Secure garbage cans and
compost in animal-proof containers. Don’t try to pet a
coyote and teach children not to approach any unfamiliar Sold Sold
animal.
Don’t let coyotes intimidate you. Frighten away
coyotes by making loud noises and acting aggressively,
such as waving your arms in the air, throwing sticks at it
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Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds. MAkiNg iT ALL AbOuT you “ThE CLiENT”
Coyotes and other animals use such areas for resting and YOuR needs and YOuR MissiON
raising young. Is how I built a top producing 36 year career.
Teach children to recognize and not to run from
coyotes. If children are approached, have them move My responsibility to you: hONEsTY AND iNTEgRiTY
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Representing Palm Beach Shores and
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