Coyotes In Georgia In 2024: An In-Depth Look

Coyotes have become increasingly common across Georgia over the past few decades. If you’ve seen one of these cunning canines stalking across your property or heard their distinct howls piercing the night air, you’re not alone.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Coyotes have spread across nearly all of Georgia due to their ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats. Their populations continue to increase as they take advantage of new food sources like pet food, roadkill, and small pets in suburban areas.

While coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare, residents should take precautions like securing trash and not feeding wildlife.

In this approximately 3000 word article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the rise of coyotes across Georgia. We’ll discuss where they’re found in the state, why their populations are growing, and how Georgians can coexist safely with these wild canids.

The Spread of Coyotes Across Georgia

Historical Absence and Arrival in the State

Coyotes (Canis latrans) were not originally native to Georgia or even the southeastern United States. In fact, these adaptable canids were historically found only in the plains and desert regions of central North America.

However,cowards began expanding their range eastward and southward in the early 1900s. According to wildlife biologists, the first verified sightings of coyotes in Georgia occurred in the metro Atlanta area in the 1980s.

It is believed that deforestation and land conversion for agriculture enabled coyotes to spread beyond their native habitat. The extirpation of gray wolves also allowed coyotes to expand into new ecological niches without competition.

Some researchers postulate that the intentional release of coyotes for hunting purposes in parts of the southeast accelerated their dispersal. Regardless of the exact mechanisms, Georgia represented the easternmost expansion of coyotes by the late 20th century.

Current Statewide Distribution

In just a few decades, cowardly coyotes have become commonplace across the majority of Georgia. As of 2024, coyotes are considered established residents of 159 of the state’s 159 counties according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Their numbers likely exceed several hundred thousand statewide.

Coyote populations tend to be higher in more rural and agricultural regions compared to densely populated urban centers:

• Abundant in southern Georgia where extensive forests, crop fields, and pastures provide ideal habitat
• Large numbers in northern mountainous counties with mixtures of forest and farmland
• Somewhat fewer in metro Atlanta suburbs which have highly fragmented green space

Regardless, coyotes have proven extremely adaptive to human-modified environments. They utilize parks, golf courses, cemeteries, transportation rights-of-way, and other open spaces inotherwise heavily developed areas.

Wildlife cameras even routinely capture photos of individual coyotes wandering neighborhoods.

Habitat Adaptability Enables Expansion

The innate behavioral plasticity of coyotes allows them to exploit a wide variety of habitat types and food resources. As generalist carnivores, their diet shifts based on seasonal and regional availability of prey. Small mammals like mice and voles make up the majority of their food.

However, they also prey on insects, deer fawns, livestock, poultry, rabbits, fruit, carrion, and more. Such dietary flexibility lets coyotes thrive across Georgia’s diverse ecosystems.

In addition, coyotes can fine-tune their activity patterns to avoid humans in more populated areas. They naturally target dawn and dusk for hunting but will shift to more nocturnal behaviors where people are active throughout the day.

Such adaptable circadian rhythms likely facilitate their continued expansion into new territories.

With few threats other than humans and no true competitors, Georgia’s growing coyote population seems poised for further growth barring major changes in landscape use or management strategies. Love them or hate them, these clever canids are here to stay as ubiquitous urban adapters.

Why Coyote Populations Are Increasing in Georgia

Lack of Natural Predators

Coyotes have thrived in Georgia due to a lack of natural predators to keep their numbers in check. Historically, gray wolves were the major predator of coyotes, but gray wolves were eradicated from the southeastern U.S. by the early 1900s.

Without competition or threat from larger predators, coyotes were able to expand their populations and range across Georgia over the last few decades.

Abundant Food Sources

Another key reason behind rising coyote populations is the abundance of food sources available to them across Georgia. From rodents and rabbits to deer, fruits, berries, pet food, garbage, and even small pets, coyotes are highly adaptable and will eat almost anything.

This diet flexibility, coupled with suburbs encroaching on natural habitats, has allowed coyotes to thrive in both rural and urban/suburban areas.

Research shows the coyote diet in Georgia is quite diverse:

• 37% mammals like mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits
• 25% plant material such as fruits and berries
• 23% insects
• 11% birds
• 4% other food items like pet food or garbage

Adaptability to Human Environments

Finally, coyotes have proven to be incredibly adaptable to human development and environments across Georgia. As suburbs expand into former rural areas, coyotes have shown an impressive ability to adapt and take advantage of resources there.

From parks and golf courses to landscaping and trash areas, coyotes learn to coexist with people.

Research has even tracked the urbanization of coyote behaviors and territories in the Atlanta metro region:

Coyote Behavior and Diet in Georgia

Social Structure and Communication

Coyotes in Georgia live in small family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. Coyotes use a complex set of yips, barks, and howls to communicate with each other and establish territory. Vocalizations help maintain the social structure and warn of danger.

Amazingly, coyote pairs mate for life! The loyalty and teamwork helps raise pups successfully.

Hunting Strategies and Typical Prey

Coyotes in Georgia are effective hunters, employing various strategies to take down prey. They often hunt alone or in pairs, sneaking up slowly on prey before pouncing lightning-fast! Some clever techniques include flushing birds and rodents out of hiding and luring fish.

Typical prey includes rodents like mice and voles, rabbits, birds, fish, frogs, snakes, insects, and eggs. While not their preferred food source, they may also prey on pets and newborn deer if easier options are scarce.

Opportunistic Omnivores

Coyotes are highly adaptable omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter. This flexible, opportunistic diet allows them to thrive in the Georgia environment. Though they prefer meat when possible, coyotes will eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even trash if meat is scarce.

Some common non-animal foods are muscadines, blackberries, persimmons, grass, acorns, and corn. The variety in their diet demonstrates how resourceful coyotes are!

Preventing Conflicts and Attacks from Coyotes

Securing Food Attractants

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of easily accessible human food sources like pet food, unsecured compost piles, and fallen fruit in yards. To deter coyotes from becoming habituated, it’s essential to secure these attractants by keeping pet food indoors, installing electric fencing around compost piles, and frequently raking up fallen fruit (Georgia DNR, 2022).

The key is limiting coyote access to food rewards they can obtain from human spaces. Studies show that well-fed coyotes are more likely to attack pets, so proactively securing attractants can reduce risks (Cook County Coyote Project, 2023).

Deterring Coyotes from Property

Several effective deterrents exist for keeping coyotes off of private property. Perimeter fencing, preferably > 6 feet tall, can inhibit coyotes from entering yards. Motion-activated sprinklers and lights startle coyotes approaching the property.

Hardware store grade ammonia or vinegar soaked rags act as unpleasant olfactory repellents for areas coyotes frequent (Georgia DNR, 2022). Removing brush piles, thick vegetation, wood piles, and other habitat coyotes use for denning on private property also helps make the area less hospitable.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension provides additional tips for modifying landscaping to reduce appeal to coyotes (extension.uga.edu, 2023).

Supervising Pets and Livestock

Coyote attacks on pets happen most often when pets are left outside unattended. Close supervision of pets when outdoors greatly reduces risks. Accompanying pets on walks rather than letting them out in yards also limits potential coyote encounters.

Livestock guardian animals like donkeys, lamas, and guard dogs provide protection from coyote predation for small farms and hobby farms when property size prevents bringing vulnerable animals inside at night (Georgia DNR, 2022).

Some key things to know about supervising domestic animals in coyote country:

• Coyotes primarily hunt between sunset and sunrise
• Keep cats indoors and do not leave dogs unattended outside between dusk and dawn
• Secure poultry and other vulnerable livestock in predator-proof housing at night

Taking responsibility for closely monitoring pets and livestock in areas with coyotes is the best way to minimize risks.

Response to Encounters and Attacks

If encountering a coyote, wildlife experts recommend yelling, waving your arms, and making threatening movements to startle it (Cook County Coyote Project, 2023). Standing tall, making loud noises, and appearing aggressive signals danger, prompting the coyote to flee.

If a coyote attacks a person, fight back aggressively and seek immediate medical care for bites or scratches due to risk of rabies or infection (Georgia DNR, 2022). In the unlikely event of a coyote attack, calling 911 is advisable along with contacting the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for situational guidance.

Report abnormal coyote behavior like loss of fear of humans or daytime activity near residences right away too. Implementing sound prevention education and responding appropriately if conflicts occur keeps problems with Georgia’s coyotes rare despite their ubiquity statewide.

The Ecological Role of Coyotes in Georgia

Impacts on Deer and Smaller Prey Populations

Coyotes are opportunistic predators that hunt a wide variety of prey across Georgia. While they primarily eat small mammals like mice, voles and rabbits, coyotes also prey on fawns and adult deer, especially during fawning season.

Research by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in 2021 estimated that coyotes were responsible for 15-20% of fawn mortality in some areas. This predation can regulate and stabilize deer populations that might otherwise overpopulate their habitat.

However, very high coyote densities may negatively impact deer numbers if predation rates are excessive.

In addition to deer, coyotes help control populations of smaller prey species like raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rats and mice. By preying on these animals, coyotes prevent overgrazing and damage to plant communities.

Their flexible, generalist diets allow them to switch between different prey sources based on seasonal availability and abundance. Overall, coyotes play an important role in regulating Georgia’s prey populations at sustainable levels.

Effects on Competing Predators

As coyotes have expanded their range across Georgia, they have begun competing with other medium-sized predators like bobcats and foxes. Research suggests that interference competition from coyotes may limit bobcat populations in some areas through aggression and by reducing food sources.

One study in southwestern Georgia found bobcat densities were 3-5 times lower in areas with coyotes compared to areas without them.

Coyotes also compete with red foxes, leading to declines or even the elimination of foxes in some habitats. Like with bobcats, coyotes may directly kill foxes defending territories or they may outcompete them for prey.

The larger size, adaptability and social structure of coyotes typically gives them an advantage over these competitors. While concerning for bobcats and foxes, this reduction of mesopredators may actually benefit small prey species they rely on.

Risks to Pets and Livestock

As adaptable predators, coyotes will take advantage of easy food sources like pets and livestock associated with residential areas. Numerous reports of coyotes killing pets like cats and small dogs have raised alarm.

Livestock like sheep, goats and calves may also be vulnerable to coyote predation, especially smaller animals. Precautions like securing pets indoors, keeping livestock in well-fenced pastures and removing attractants like pet food can help reduce risks.

While concerning, the dangers to pets and livestock must be balanced with the ecological benefits coyotes provide. Their predation on rodents, for example, may reduce diseases these pests can transmit to humans and domestic animals.

With proper precautions, peaceful coexistence with coyotes is certainly possible across Georgia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, coyotes are now likely a permanent part of Georgia’s ecological landscape. Their intelligent, adaptable nature has allowed them to spread across the state and thrive in a variety of habitats.

While potentially posing risks to pets, their presence also helps control pest species like rodents and deer. With proper precautions like securing attractants and supervising pets, Georgians can coexist safely with these wild canids and appreciate their important role in balancing local ecosystems.