By Indiana Department Of Natural Resources
As coyotes become more and more common in rural and even suburban communities, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers information and advice for living in proximity with Canis latrans.
In appearance, a coyote closely resembles a German shepherd dog in height and shape, but it should never be considered a domestic pet. Coyotes have long slender snouts and large pointed ears. In coloration, the coyote is grizzled gray or buff, with a reddish brown or gray muzzle and legs and white, cream-colored or reddish yellow belly. Coyotes have bushy tails and average about 25 pounds.
The coyote population has slowly increased as they continue to expand into previously unoccupied habitat in all areas of Indiana.
Coyotes are foragers that will consume anything of nutritional value including small mammals, rabbits and squirrels. They will not turn down an easy meal, nor will they pass up a free meal from human-provided food sources including exposed garbage. They may even kill and consume house cats and small dogs. Coyotes may also eat fruit, insects, poultry, livestock, deer (especially fawns and road-killed deer), songbirds and sometimes game birds.
If you start seeing coyotes around your home, discourage them by shouting, making loud noises, shaking a container of coins, using an air horn or whistle, spraying them with a hose, or throwing rocks with care to never corner a coyote and always give the coyote a free escape route.
For more information or to download a coyote fact sheet, visit in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-uw_factsheet_coyote.pdf
