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Young coyote pup orphan grows up at Witter Wildlife Refuge
Photo by Author
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Words For Wildlife
by State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, James Orr
CRAZY COYOTE
Coyotes are the most persecuted animal in North America. For more than a century Coyotes have been trapped, poisoned, shot, gassed and hunted with dogs. These efforts to eradicate the coyote has inadvertently provided the species with the best genetic base to overcome the very technology we use against them. The coyote has returned to places it was extinct, moved into new areas it was previously unknown, and begun the process of moving into urban areas. They can be found through out all of North America except in areas wolves are established. Wolves and coyotees although related, will not share territory.
The word “Coyote” comes from the Aztec word, “coyotl” which loosely translates to “trickster”, My newest house guest is a 5 pound orphan coyote pup that fits that description quite well.
The first sign that he was not the average dog was when I started discovering things in his cage that I had not given him... speaker wires, drinking cups, assorted trash, etc. At first I thought he must somehow be reaching out of his kennel and collecting nearby garage goodies within reach. I cleared everything from around his cage and would still find stolen treasures in his sleep box along with his water dish, food bowl, apples, and corn cobs. Everything I put in his cage would end up in his bed along with the stolen bootie he found on his own. I finally figured out my coyote was a kleptomaniac and was somehow leaving and reentering his cage at will. This made for a lot of extra cleanup on my part in that his water and food turn into a soggy stinky mess when emptied on the floor during his collection routines. As if the thievery was not enough he would hide little coyote surprises around the garage for me to find.
His new trick is to make himself disappear. When I come in for the morning feeding his kennel is empty but the door still locked. I then begin a game of hide and seek trying to find his newest hiding space.
It is absolutely amazing how he can be so hard to find in relatively empty and small garage. Once he was under the tool box which only has about 3” of clearance from the floor. Once he was behind the beaver cage having rearranged everything in the garage to make enough space to squeeze behind it.
He can fit into an incredibly small area by arching his back and compressing his scrawny body together. I often discover him behind things that looked like they were tight against the wall.
Since I find him when and where I least expect he always manages to startle me with his version of “BOO” which is a very toothy yap and snap that often sends me falling backwards away from him. It is embarrassing since the other animals seem to relish his win. The raccoons chatter with insulting laughter and the cardinals flutter their applause along with the other residents as I pick myself up and try to resume the part of their master, ha ha.
One by one I eliminated his hiding options figuring that sooner or later he would be outsmarted. Eventually there was no longer anywhere left to hide, all the boxes were picked up, the furniture and other cages were tight against the wall and anything that might serve as a coyote fort was gone. Despite my best efforts he was nowhere in sight this morning. About the time I was ready to ask for a refund on my college education I finally found him on a high shelf behind some books. Of course the discovery was not without another victorious “BOO”, and the accompanying cheers from the crowd. Trickster 12, me 0.
In rural settings coyotes eat rabbits, rodents and occasional vegetable foods, berries, acorns, lizards and insects. In urban areas they are attracted to pet food, garbage, and will even eat domestic pets (primarily cats).
During birthing season Coyotes can inflict significant damage on livestock which accounts for most of their problems with people. By leaving coyotes that do not kill livestock alone to establish territory, they will keep other coyotes that might kill livestock away. By controlling or eliminating only the occasion offending coyote the other coyotes can actually be the ranchers best defense against troublesome coyotes.
Cats and small dogs can be easy prey to individual coyotes. For the most part coyotes are nocturnal so keeping pets protected at night will minimize the risk of attack. Cats can protect themselves from coyotes if trees or “cat posts” are available to climb out of reach.
DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount it is greatly appreciated. Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.
See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife
