Coyotes in Dallas: The science behind their spread into cities

You may have seen them in Dallas.

A flash of grayish-brown fur at dusk. A brief sighting on an early morning run. And then — gone.

In some instances, these creatures come closer than they should, leading to attacks on pets and, more rarely, small children.

But what are they doing in Dallas in the first place? Here's what to know about how coyotes are managing to survive — and why they're here to stay.

Moving into the neighborhood

Before the 1700s, coyotes were largely confined to Mexico and parts of central North America. But over the next centuries, that changed as humans reshaped the landscape and eliminated predators like wolves, bears and cougars. The medium-size canines, weighing anywhere from 20 to 40 pounds, moved in to fill the ecological gaps, pushing their turf beyond prairies and deserts to include forests and, eventually, urban areas.

Since the 1950s, coyotes have expanded their geographic range by about 40%, roughly twice the rate of other North American carnivores. Today, they are found across the United States, including in major metropolitan areas from San Francisco and Denver to Chicago and New York City. Exactly how many urban coyotes live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area isn't known, but the population is likely substantial, said Rachel Richter, an urban wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife.

A large part of why coyotes settle in urban areas comes down to their adaptability, said Scott Henke, a professor of rangeland and wildlife sciences at Texas A&M University in Kingsville.

“They're a real good generalist,†Henke said. “They can handle the heat, they can handle the cold. They're very adaptable for food, eating quite a variety of things, especially when you're looking at moving into a city with trash cans, people putting food out for their pets and such, there's lots of available food sources. … Once coyotes learn there's a consistent food source coming out in the same location, they're going to utilize it.â€

That adaptability may be reflected in their behavior. A 2019 study found that coyotes living in urban areas tend to be bolder and more willing to explore new environments than their rural counterparts, traits that likely developed over time as they adjusted to living around people.

Adaptability shapes what they eat. While urban coyotes consume many of the same foods as their rural counterparts — such as fruit and small prey like rabbits — they are highly opportunistic. A 2020 study by the National Park Service and California State University Northridge looked at coyotes in Southern California and found urban coyotes consumed large amounts of human-related food, including garbage, ornamental fruits such as ficus, loquat and grapes, and even domestic cats. By contrast, suburban coyotes were more likely to vary their diets based on seasonal availability.

Here to stay

Coyotes are typically most active at dawn and dusk, but those living in cities often shift toward more nocturnal habits to avoid people, Richter said. Spotting a coyote at other times of the day is not necessarily cause for concern. Seasonal changes can make them more visible, particularly in the winter when vegetation dies and offers less cover.

“If it's really cold at night, that might make them more likely to be active during the day,†Richter said. “Food availability and then also their breeding season peaks around mid-February, so you're more likely to see them.â€

Their being active during the day can raise the chances of encounters, but coyote attacks are very rare, Richter and Henke said. These animals are generally skittish and wary of humans, but they can become emboldened when food is involved.

“If you have a coyote in your backyard at 2 p.m. every single day, to me, that indicates habituation, which means that they're losing their fear of people,†Richter said. “Typically, if you have a coyote that's becoming habituated, it is because there is some sort of food resource nearby.â€

Once a coyote develops aggressive behavior toward humans, the only option is to euthanize it — what is known as lethal control. In North Texas, past efforts to euthanize coyotes have drawn criticism, with some residents questioning why the animals cannot be trapped and relocated. But under state law, Richter said, coyotes are classified as carriers for rabies, meaning trapping and relocating isn't possible.

But euthanizing an aggressive coyote can have ecological consequences. Removing one animal creates a territorial vacuum, leaving space for another coyote to move in. That coyote may become aggressive if the underlying issue around food isn't addressed.

“It really has to be like a community-wide effort,†Richter said. “Because if you're doing everything you can to deter the coyotes from your yard, but like three houses down you have someone who's handing out hot dogs to coyotes, the coyotes are still going to come and hang out. So it's important to get everyone on the same page.â€

Lethal control also disrupts coyote family structures, breaking up packs and potentially increasing reproduction. With less competition for food and territory, coyotes may produce larger litters with pups experiencing a better chance of survival, according to Project Coyote, a California-based nonprofit.

Richter and Henke said the best way to avoid confrontations with coyotes is to eliminate food sources, whether by not feeding them directly, bringing pet food indoors or securing garbage.

“People need to realize that they are wild animals, so they can be unpredictable,†Henke said. “If you don't want them around, pick up food and water from your area, so that way they've got less reason of coming around to your house. … Always be careful when it comes to wild animals, because it's nice to watch them, but it's always best to watch them from a distance.â€

Miriam Fauzia is a science reporting fellow at The Dallas Morning News. Her fellowship is supported by the University of Texas at Dallas. The News makes all editorial decisions.