Warning: New Danger of Coyotes in Arizona Neighborhoods

I drive to work early in the morning, and I've seen some wild things as the sun rises. The other day, I turned the corner into the neighborhood near the office just in time to see a large, well-fed coyote cross the street.

On the other side of the road, it jumped through a hole in a wall that fenced in nearby houses and then disappeared from view. It happened fast, and I was left questioning what I'd just seen. A few feet further down the street, I saw a woman walking her dog. I stopped and let her know what I'd just seen.

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"I just saw a coyote jump through a hole in this brick wall, less than half a block from here," I told her.

She wasn't sure what to make of this information. "You saw...a coyote? In this neighborhood?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied. "Just be careful. There may be more." She seemed flummoxed by the information. She was having trouble wrapping her mind around a wild animal like a coyote in the middle of our town.

While I understood the cognitive dissonance, coyote sightings in neighborhoods across Arizona are becoming a common occurrence, and it's something we should be aware of.

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Why You're Seeing Coyotes in Arizona Neighborhoods

Coyotes are becoming a familiar sight in Arizona neighborhoods. It’s not your imagination. They’re adapting to living in our towns and cities.

As urban areas expand into the coyote's natural habitat, these clever canines easily find sources of food, water, and shelter, and we're helping them adapt to living in our own backyards.

Don't Invite a Coyote into Your Yard

Coyotes are opportunistic predators and have no trouble finding rabbits or rodents. But if you've got small pets, you'll want to keep an eye on them because they could also be in danger.

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Coyotes will also snack on fallen fruit or unsecured garbage they find on our property, so it's essential to make sure they don't have access to those things in our yard. They will also take advantage of pet food left outside. If you have a bird feeder that attracts birds and other small critters, you might be unintentionally inviting coyotes over for dinner.

How to Keep Coyotes Off Your Property

If you want to keep coyotes off your property, start by securing trash cans, removing pet food, and keeping your yard tidy. If you spot one, make loud noises, wave your arms, or spray them with a hose. It will help reinforce their natural fear of humans.

If you walk your dog, be sure to keep it on a leash. Coyotes have been known to lure and attack off-leash pets. If you encounter a coyote, don’t run. Instead, maintain eye contact, make yourself look big, and back away slowly.

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When Are You Most Likely to See a Coyote in Your Neighborhood?

Coyotes are active at dawn and dusk, but it's not unusual to see them at different times during the day. Coyote mating season is from late winter to early spring. You should be extra careful during this time because coyotes can be territorial and more aggressive.

Arizona neighborhoods and coyote territories are beginning to overlap as humans continue to encroach on their natural areas. It's important to respect boundaries so both species can coexist safely. Always stay alert, secure your property, and keep your pets close.

Sources: Arizona Game and Fish | Vet Explains Pets | Arizona Vacation Guide