Coyote puppy season is back in GA. What to expect & how to keep family and pets safe
Spring means new life, from greener grass to flowers and crop growth. However, wildlife also starts to populate, so it’s time to look out for snakes, insects and even coyotes.
According to the Wolf Conservation Center, “Spring is coyote pup season; as a monoestrous species, coyotes have one breeding season per year that falls between January – March. Offspring (pups) will be born two short months later in April or May.”
So, where do coyote pups make their dens and how can GA folks be sure their pets are protected? Here’s what to know:
Where do coyote pups live?
After University of Georgia researchers followed 48 coyotes with GPS collars, 20 dens were found across Atlanta, but most of them were in places people would not see.
“Basically, we saw that the coyotes were trying to avoid people,” said Summer Fink, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at UGA. “The animals didn’t want to den in areas where there was a lot of human activity and development.”
Coyote puppies won’t den near homes or a lot of noise, but they will den in burrows or tree trunks. However, if you live near highly wooded areas or areas with untouched debris, coyote pups could be lurking.
“Some dens did incorporate human-related items like discarded piles of concrete, an overturned boat and a large, half-buried tractor tire,” according to the UGA study.
How to protect yourself and your pets
There’s a low threat present with coyotes in Georgia, but if you do come across coyotes or pups, here are some tips:
- Keep dogs on leashes. Don’t investigate holes that could potentially be coyote dens.
- Coyotes will often attempt to lead humans away from their dens if they think they’ve been spotted rather than becoming aggressive. If you do see one, like all wild animals, avoid interacting with them.
- Calmly leave the area and give them ample space.
Have you ever seen a coyote pup den? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
