Coyotes

Coyotes are wild animals that are native to Edmonton, belonging to the Canidae (dog) family. They have long legs, oversized pointed ears, and large bushy tails with black tips. An average adult coyote weighs 9-14 kilograms and is just over a metre long from its nose tip to the tip of its tail. Coyotes have light grey or tan coats of variable lengths and slim pointed muzzles.

Coyotes have long existed alongside humans and have adapted to living within population centres because of the opportunities they present to foraging scavengers. As our city grows and expands into rural areas, more coyotes are adapting to food sources in residential areas by eating readily available backyard food sources such as garbage, food scraps, fruit and pet food.

Coyotes do not pose a threat to humans. The extremely rare cases of physical contact are almost always as a direct result of feeding or den defence. Coyotes have a weaker bite than wolves, foxes, most dogs and even humans!

Coyotes naturally hunt rodents and small mammals such as rabbits, hares, squirrels and gophers. Additionally, they are opportunistic feeders who may consume garbage, fruit or even insects. Coyotes do not look at humans as prey and are generally afraid of us, although urban coyotes can become desensitized to human activity or presence, especially if they are used to getting food near people. Coyotes perceive humans as being providers or resources they can exploit. Some people report an increased presence in neighbourhoods during garbage days or when garbage is placed out and easily accessible beforehand.

A new strain of tapeworm called Echinococcus multilocularis has been detected in urban coyotes in Edmonton. Between 60% and 80% of Edmonton’s coyotes carry or previously carried this parasite — a much higher proportion than most locations in North America.

In humans, this zoonotic parasite can lead to the development of parasitic tumours that can form in the liver, lungs, brain and other organs. Although human cases of this are rare, several have been identified in Alberta.

How Can Humans Become Infected?

Humans can be infected by the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm by accidentally eating microscopic eggs contained in the fecal matter of a coyote or dog that ate an infected rodent. The eggs can get caught on garden produce or a dog that rolls in areas where coyotes defecate. The eggs can also travel in wind and water and remain viable for a year or more.

Although the public should not be alarmed, people can still protect themselves by:

• Being aware of this disease and how it can spread
• Following good hand-washing hygiene, especially when working with soil 
• Walking dogs on a leash
• Ensuring you, your children and your pets avoid coyote fecal matter
• Talking to your vet if your dog sometimes eats rodents
• Wash vegetables thoroughly from gardens where infected dogs or coyotes may have been

• Coyotes typically mate in late January or early February. The gestation period is approximately 63 days with an average litter of 6 pups. Pups leave the den in June or August. 
• Dens are typically dug in steep banks in dense vegetation, but they sometimes occur in drainage pipes. Natural dens typically have multiple entrances.
• Coyotes used to live mainly in open grassland areas until the widespread extermination of wolves opened up new habitats. They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk.
• Coyotes are considered a species of Least Concern due to their large populations and widespread distribution. 
• Coyotes carry a large range of diseases and parasites such as rabies, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, tularemia, mange, and tapeworm.
• Coyotes may perceive small dogs and cats as prey, and view larger dogs as threats or competition. Coyotes very rarely attack humans, but urban coyotes are becoming bolder across the continent.