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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Ken D’Loughy
Central Region Manager
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Wildlife and Heritage Service
Name of Presentation
Date of Presentation
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/55860.html
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
COYOTE DESCRIPTION
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
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Possess typical canine features
Large erect ears, elongated muzzle
Long bushy tail
Adults weigh between 30 to 40 pounds
Length can exceed 60 inches
One and a half to two feet tall
Males may be 20% larger that females
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION
CHARACTERISITCS
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• Coyotes were first documented in Maryland
in 1972 (Cecil, Frederick, Washington
Counties).
• Population densities have expanded
incrementally and coyotes now occur
statewide.
• Highest densities are in Western Maryland,
lowest occurrence on the Eastern Shore.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Highest coyote densities occur in
intermixed woodland/farmland areas
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Coyote population densities
will increase in Maryland’s
suburban corridor
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Maryland and Delaware are the
last two states to be colonized by
coyotes
http://amaps.com/mapstoprint/MDDEDOWNLOAD.htm
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Coyote Natural History
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• Reach sexual maturity by 1 year of age.
• Breeding season runs from late January
through March.
• Gestation period is 63 days.
• Litters average 5-6 pups.
• Coyote dens are found in steep banks and
underbrush. Will dig out and enlarge burrows
of other animals.
• Both adult coyotes hunt and bring food to their
pups.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Impacts on Natural Communities
http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/02/06/earth-matters
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
•Coyotes can negatively impact native wildlife
species.
• Coyotes have assumed role as top order
predator.
•Coyotes tend to alter ecosystem structure
and function.
•Various wildlife species have experienced
population declines as a result of their status
as coyote prey.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• Coyote Food Habits
• Coyote diet consists of rabbits, rodents,
occasionally young fawns, insects and
berries.
• May even feed on human refuse at dump
sites.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Red fox decline dramatically in response to
increasing coyote populations
The+Red+Fhttp://misswalkerswiki.wikispaces.com/Vulpes+vulpes+--+ox
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• Eastern coyote and red fox share many common
habitat requirements and occupy overlapping
niches.
• Larger and more resilient coyote is able to out
compete and displace resident fox populations.
• As a result red fox move into areas devoid of
individual coyote home ranges.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Long term impacts
on white-tailed
deer by coyote are
not known.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• Coyote food habit studies regularly
show consistent use of deer as food.
• However, it does not appear that
coyote limit deer populations on a
regional scale at this time.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Social
Implications
Of
Coyotes
http://www.easterncoyoteresearch.com/
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• As coyote first appear in an area they are
novel and receive a great deal of interest.
• As population densities and nuisance
complaints increase public opinion changes
from novel fascination to “I do not want this
animal in my neighborhood.”
• Few wildlife species evoke as widespread and
passionate disdain by the public as coyotes.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Cultural Implications
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
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Cultural impacts fall into two categories:
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2.
Generalized problems such as pet loss.
Situations involving livestock loss.
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Coyotes established in suburban locations efficiently prey on
cats.
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A local indicator of the presence of coyotes is rapid decline in
cat population.
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Localized situations involving both pet and livestock loss can be
alleviated by attempting to remove problem animals.
Coyotes in Baltimore County
Management & Research
Activities
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• Annual hunting and trapping seasons have been
established.
• DNR has the flexibility to pro-actively address some of
the previously mentioned ecological and social
concerns.
• Observational data is gathered from bow hunters about
furbearers and other wildlife species viewed during a
hunt.
• This information furnishes the foundation for
responsible harvest regulations for coyotes and other
furbearers.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Coyote Problems
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
• DNR has contracted with the USDA Wildlife
Service to provide technical guidance for
persons experiencing problems with coyotes.
• Call USDA Wildlife Services @877-463-6497
• Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Cooperators
are available to trap and remove nuisance
coyotes.
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Questions
http://www.thegeminiweb.com/babyboomer/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/coyotes.jpg
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Coyotes in Baltimore County
Contact Information:
• Individuals experiencing problems with coyotes
can contact:
877-463-6497
• Staff will provide technical guidance or
facilitate contact with licensed Nuisance
Wildlife Control Cooperators.