10/21/2026
Did you know that coyotes can climb trees? As omnivores, coyotes eat just about anything – including fruit and they are smart and agile enough to find their way up to lower lying branches to find a snack. Other than the occasional apple, coyotes mostly eat small prey animals and are primarily solitary hunters. They rarely, if ever, hunt in packs like wolves because the game they are after doesn’t require that kind of strategy.
And what does it mean when you hear coyotes howling? That it’s dinner time, right? Nope. They are simply reconnecting with their family members after dispersing. Logic says that announcing to every animal in the woods that there’s fresh meat wouldn’t be the smartest tactic for this small predator.
If we couldn’t love America’s song dog more - coyotes have been witnessed bringing food back to trapped or injured pack members - they are truly devoted family members, mating for life and carrying for their young. Once such method of protecting their young is known as “escorting.” Which can be a little scary to experience - if you get too close to their den the adults will start to follow you and “escort” you away from the pups. Just keep moving on and the coyote will head off when you’re a safe distant from their pups.
A park volunteer recently spotted a coyote one early afternoon and took a photo from a
respectful distance from the animal. Coyotes are diurnal meaning they active both day and night – have you been lucky enough to spot one at the park? Was it a day time viewing or were you able to spot one at night?
Post and Photo Credit 📸: Volunteer Tasha
