Coyotes that are protecting their den or young will vigorously defend the area.
For full details see: Sugden, S., Sanderson, D., Ford, K. Research has shown that urban coyotes that eat a diet high in carbohydrate-rich foods provided unintentionally by people (compost, food waste, etc.) have altered microbiomes which negatively affect body condition, potentially increasing their parasite susceptibility and conflict-prone behavior. Property owners should limit the availability of unintentional food sources, such as bird food, pet food, ripe fruit, and trash. Consider the use of fencing or kennel runs to protect small pets.
Do not leave small pets unattended when they are outside, especially at night.Have them throw their arms up in the air and yell “like a monster” to scare the coyote away. Teach your kids what to do if they see a coyote.Yell, stand up straight, and wave your arms (the goal is to make yourself appear larger), or throw something at the coyote to make it move away (the goal is to scare it away, not to injure it). Safety procedures for dealing with coyotes are different than those for dealing with an unknown dog. Do not run if a coyote approaches you.Here are some steps to prevent human –coyote conflicts: As long as they are given their space, and they are not injured or being fed by people, coyotes do not typically pose a threat to people.įor more information about coyotes in urban areas, check out the Urban Coyote Project. It is also common to see coyotes out during the day. So if you see a coyote resting in or crossing a backyard, golf course, park, or field-that is normal coyote behavior. The nocturnal yaps and howls of coyotes may be their most distinguishing characteristic.Ĭoyotes are found throughout Illinois-in rural, suburban, and highly urban areas. Instead of having brown irises, like most dogs, a coyote’s eyes are a striking yellow color with large, dark pupils A coyote’s eyeshine is greenish gold. Illinois coyotes are usually larger than those from the western United States. They typically weigh 20 to 40 pounds but sometimes weigh up to 55 pounds. Some of the color variation in Illinois coyotes is due to hybridization with domestic dogs.īecause of their long fur, coyotes are often mistaken as being much larger than they actually are, especially during the winter when their fur is thicker.Ĭoyotes are 23 to 26 inches high and 3 to 4½ feet long. The fur often has a tinge of red behind the ears and around the face, but fur color varies among individuals. Photo: Micahel Heimlich It isn’t uncommon to see coyotes during the day in urban areas.Ĭoyotes’ fur is typically gray to yellow-gray, with guard hairs tipped in black. Contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist.Announcement: IDNR Issues Updated Guidance: May Resume Use of Bird Feeders and Bird Baths.Hikers: Be alert for "aggressive" animals.Rare Visitors to Illinois: Cougar, Wolf, and Black Bear.Repair Damage: What to Know Before Making Repairs.