Coyotes are no longer just creatures of the wild. They’ve become unexpected neighbours in many Canadian cities. These adaptable animals have learned to thrive in urban environments alongside people.
Their ability to adjust to changing habitats, find food, and raise families in busy areas makes them one of North America’s most resilient predators. These animals manage to navigate city life, communicate, and coexist with humans in surprising ways.
Their story is a reminder of how wildlife continues to evolve, even in the middle of modern life.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from reputable online sources. Coyotes are wild animals and should never be approached or fed.
1. Urban Coyotes Are Smaller Than Their Rural Cousins
City coyotes typically weigh between 9 and 14 kilograms, making them lighter than those living in the wilderness. Their smaller size helps them navigate tight spaces between buildings and fences.
Food availability in urban areas differs from rural habitats, which affects their growth patterns. Despite their compact build, urban coyotes remain skilled hunters and scavengers. Their size allows them to move quietly through neighbourhoods without drawing much attention from residents or pets.
2. They Hunt Mostly At Dawn And Dusk
Coyotes prefer hunting during twilight hours when human activity decreases. This behaviour, called crepuscular activity, helps them avoid direct contact with people while searching for food.
Early morning and evening provide ideal conditions for spotting prey like rabbits, mice, and birds. Their excellent night vision gives them an advantage during these darker hours. If you walk your dog during these times, stay alert and keep your pet on a short leash to prevent unwanted encounters.
3. Canadian Cities Provide Year-Round Food Sources
Unlike rural areas where food becomes scarce in winter, cities offer consistent food supplies throughout the year. Garbage bins, compost piles, and pet food left outdoors attract hungry coyotes.
Fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetable gardens also supplement their diet. Rodents living near human structures provide additional protein sources. This reliable access to food explains why coyote populations continue growing in urban environments. Securing trash cans and removing outdoor food sources can discourage coyotes from visiting your property.
4. They Establish Territories In City Parks
Urban coyotes claim territories in green spaces like ravines, golf courses, and large parks. A single family group may control an area covering several square kilometres.
These territories provide shelter, denning sites, and hunting grounds away from heavy traffic. Coyotes mark their boundaries with urine and scat to warn other groups to stay away. Toronto’s ravine system, for example, hosts numerous coyote families that rarely interact with each other. Respecting these spaces means keeping dogs leashed and staying on designated paths.
5. Coyote Families Stay Together Longer In Cities
Urban coyote pups often remain with their parents for extended periods compared to rural coyotes. This behaviour may result from abundant food and safer denning sites in cities.
Young coyotes learn valuable survival skills by staying with experienced adults who know the urban landscape. Family groups work together to defend territories and raise new litters. Multi-generational family units of coyotes living in the same park areas for years in Vancouver have been documented. This social structure helps them adapt successfully to city life.
6. They Rarely Attack Humans
Coyote attacks on people remain extremely rare across Canadian cities. Most coyotes actively avoid human contact and will retreat when they spot someone approaching.
Conflicts typically occur when coyotes lose their natural fear due to intentional feeding or easy access to food. Bold behaviour often signals that someone has been feeding wildlife in the area. Edmonton recorded only a handful of concerning incidents over the past decade, despite a growing coyote population. Never approach or feed coyotes, and teach children to back away slowly if they encounter one.
7. Urban Coyotes Face Fewer Natural Predators
Cities lack large predators like wolves and bears that would normally keep coyote populations in check. This absence allows urban coyote numbers to grow steadily without natural controls.
Vehicles pose the greatest threat to city coyotes, causing most adult deaths. Disease and territorial disputes also contribute to mortality rates. Calgary wildlife officials monitor population levels to prevent overpopulation in residential areas. The lack of predation pressure means urban coyotes can live longer lives if they avoid traffic and human conflicts.
8. They Adapt Their Diet To Available Resources
City coyotes eat whatever they can find, from small mammals and birds to insects and fallen fruit. Their flexible diet makes them successful urban survivors.
Studies of coyote scat in Montreal revealed berries, rodents, and human food waste as common dietary components. Seasonal changes affect their food choices, with more fruit consumed in summer and fall. This adaptability means coyotes rarely go hungry in cities. Keeping pet food indoors and securing compost bins reduces their reliance on human-provided food sources.
9. Breeding Season Increases Protective Behaviour
Between January and March, coyotes mate and become more territorial. Pregnant females and nursing mothers show heightened protective instincts around den sites.
During spring months, parent coyotes may act defensively if they perceive threats to their pups. This behaviour usually involves barking, growling, or following at a distance rather than attacking. Ottawa residents report more coyote sightings during breeding and pup-rearing seasons. Giving coyotes extra space during these months helps prevent stressful encounters for both animals and people.
10. Small Pets Can Attract Unwanted Attention
Cats and small dogs may appear as prey to hungry coyotes, especially when left unsupervised outdoors. Attacks on pets account for most negative coyote interactions in cities.
Coyotes can easily jump fences over 1.8 metres tall, making typical backyard barriers ineffective. Supervising pets during outdoor time significantly reduces risk. Winnipeg animal control recommends keeping cats indoors and walking small dogs on short leashes. Installing motion-activated lights and removing attractants like pet food can help protect your furry family members.
11. They Use Human Infrastructure As Travel Corridors
Railway lines, hydro corridors, and bike paths provide convenient routes for coyotes moving through cities. These linear features connect green spaces and allow safe passage between territories.
Coyotes follow these paths to avoid busy roads and dense residential areas. Toronto’s extensive ravine system combined with utility corridors creates a network that coyotes navigate expertly. Wildlife cameras frequently capture coyotes using these corridors during nighttime travels. Urban planners now consider wildlife movement when designing new infrastructure projects.
12. Coexistence Requires Community Awareness
Successful coexistence depends on residents understanding coyote behaviour and taking preventive measures. Education programs in cities like Vancouver teach people how to respond during encounters.
Simple actions like securing garbage, removing outdoor food sources, and not feeding wildlife make neighbourhoods less attractive to coyotes. Hazing techniques, such as making loud noises or spraying water, help maintain their natural wariness of humans. Community cooperation proves more effective than removal efforts, which often result in new coyotes moving into vacant territories. Respecting these wild neighbours benefits everyone.
