Coyotes, once associated with the southwest and known as a wily trickster by Native Americans, are becoming a more and more common occurrence in suburban environments across the nation. Like the raccoon, coyotes are smart and resourceful and have adapted nicely to live around humans.

Although their dense fur can make them look a lot bigger than they really are, they typically don’t weigh more than 20 to 30 pounds which is about the same as a smallish, medium sized dog. Coyotes are actually quite beneficial predators because their primary prey is small rodents. But they have no problem also eating a vast variety of other foods like fruits and vegetables, insects, garbage, or small free-roaming pets like cats.

While coyotes are primarily active between dusk and dawn and are generally shy and wary of humans, it is not unusual to see them any time of the day. Although they seem scary because they are a wild animal, coyotes do not present a risk to humans unless people have trained them to accept hand outs. There is only one human death that has been attributed to a coyote, and this was in California. It was when a coyote preyed upon the three-year-old child of the person who had been feeding it handouts on a regular basis.

So the lesson here is that, if you see a coyote in your neighborhood, it is not a danger to you. It may, however, be a danger to your pet. To get them to go away, the best thing is not leave them anything to eat or drink. If you feel it really has to go, like for any wild animal, call a professional. Trapped animals are dangerous. Do not do it yourself!