coyotes in florida
TRANSCRIPT
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Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Florida:
the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
Produced by: Martin Main, PhD
University of Florida, IFAS
Presented by:
Angeline Scotten
FL Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
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Coyote range expansion:
eradication of wolves
Red wolf; photo curtsey of B. McPhee
Gray wolf; photo curtsey of USFWS
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Coyote range expansion- conversion
to an agricultural landscape
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History of the spread of coyotes in Florida
Brady & Campbell. 1983
Scent Survey Data. 1997-99. (M. Main)Carcass Data. (M. Main)Personal Communication
Wooding & Hardisky. 1990
Furthest southern observation
(Key Largo, 2011)
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Omnivorous, highly adaptable
Adults 25-40 lbs.
Home range size: natural areas ~15 mi2, urban areas ~3 mi2
Mate in Winter
Pups in Spring
Litter size ~6 pups
Both parents care for young
Coyote biology
FWC trail camera photo- Big Cypress
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FWC stomach content preliminary results
Coyote diet study
Mammal
31%
Other Veg
22%
Insect
15%
Mast
10%
Anthropogenic
9%
Avian
6%
Unknown
4%
Fish
2%
Herps
1%
Preliminary Findings
Frequency of Occurrence of Contents in Coyote Stomachs
Mast 10%
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Coyote diet study
Obvious dog food found in the stomach of
coyote 1024 trapped in NAS Pensacola on
10/12/2011 (USDA)
Cooked chicken found in coyote 1081 hit
by car in Pinellas county, unknown date
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Coyote diet study
Stomach of coyote 1069 shot in Polk
county on 9/18/2012 (D. Andrews, FWC)
stained likely by American pokeweed
McDonald’s butter wrapper found in stomach
of coyote 1074 (H. Jones, FWC) hit by car in
Ocala National Forest 11/18/2012
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Coyote diet study
Candy wrapper found in coyote 1051,
trapped in St Joseph Peninsula State
Park (USDA) on 4/15/2012
A total of 47 small mammals were found in the
stomach of coyote 1012, shot in Morriston on
2/7/2012
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Coyote diet study
Deer remains and likely black trash bag
found in coyote 1007, trapped in Duval
County on 2/1/2012 (USDA)
Palmetto seeds an aluminum foil were found
in coyote 1063, trapped in Reedy Creek on
4/15/2012 (USDA)
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Coyote diet study
Substantial amounts of insects found in the stomach of
coyote 1052, trapped at NAS Pensacola on 4/16/2012
(USDA)
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0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0-5 5-10 10-15 15-20 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 65-70 70-75 75-80
Fre
qu
en
cy
Weight (pounds)
Actual weights of coyotes
Female Coyote
Male Coyote
FWC diet study-149 coyote carcasses
collected statewide from 2011-2013
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Coyotes in Florida: the Good?
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Aesthetic values of wildlife
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Control of smaller predators
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Effects of coyotes as predators
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Coyotes in Florida: the Bad?
FWC trail camera photo- Miami
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Competition with native predators?
Florida panther (Puma concolor coyri)
FWC trail camera photo
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Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Competition with native predators?
FWC trail camera photo- Riverview
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0 6 12 KilometersCoyote
50% FK core area
95% FK home range
Bobcat
50% FK core area
95% FK home range
N
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Coyote predation upon rare & endangered
species
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Coyotes in Florida: the Ugly?
…human conflicts
Photo courtesy of Beverley Batts- Panama City
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Coyotes in Florida: the Ugly?
Coyotes have an undeserved public reputation
Common myths and
misconceptions:
•Size
•Packs
•Coy-dogs/ Coy-wolves
•Disease
•Hollywood
•Wiley coyote
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Coyote depredation of livestock
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Urban coyotes and pet loss
Photo courtesy of Dan Muccie- Estero
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Coyotes (USA and Canada during 1960-2006):
3.5 attacks/yr.
2 fatalities/46 yrs.
Domestic dogs (USA):
1,000 emergency room visits/day
5 million cases/yr. require medical treatment
176 fatalities during 2010-2014
www.dogsbite.org
Dog attacks vs. coyote attacks
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Can we get rid of coyotes?
NO
Eradication efforts
Breeding dynamics
Territorial with high replacement
Adaptable and intelligent
Here to stay
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Trapping Options and Definitions
Live/Cage Trap – Any box style trap where
the animal is completely contained within the
trap (Have-A-Heart)
Snare – A trapping device consisting of a
noose designed to capture wildlife.
Steel trap – Any mechanical device (other
than a snare, household mouse traps or
devices commonly used to take household
and lawn nuisance rodents) designed and
used to capture wildlife by seizing and
holding a part of the body.
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Prevent problems with coyotes-
Secure Attractants
NEVER feed coyotes!
– Anything that can attract a dog,
cat or raccoon can attract a
coyote
Secure garbage
Clean up pet food, fallen
fruit & bird feeders
Keep cats indoors
Keep dogs on leashes &
supervised outdoors
(especially small dogs)
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Prevent problems with coyotes-
Hazing
Human Dominance
Rocks & sticks
Whistles
Pots & Pans
Car & air horns
“Coyote shaker”
Motion sprinklers
Water pistols
Motion lights
Firecrackers
Bear spray
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Adult coyotes weigh 25-40
pounds
Coyotes occur in every state
and nearly every large city in
the U.S.
Attacks by coyotes on
humans are exceedingly rare
Coyotes will kill cats and
small dogs
Coyotes can carry rabies,
but it is rare
Coyotes in Florida: some facts
FWC trail camera photo- Riverview
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Never feed coyotes or any wild animal
It is illegal to feed coyotes in Florida!
Prevent access to garbage and pet food
Keep cats indoors, have small dogs on a
short leash or in a well fenced yard
Follow hazing recommendations to
consistently frighten coyotes away
If a coyote approaches, lift small pets and
children off the ground and be prepared to
defend yourself (never run)
Coyotes in Florida: some advice
Photo courtesy of Reinier Munguia- Lakeland
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Coyotes in Florida: who should you contact
when there is a problem?
FWC SW Regional Office (863) 648-3200
Nuisance Wildlife Trapper
http://myfwc.com/trappers/
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Ugly?
Good?
Bad? …or just
trying
to make
it in a
tough
world?