Urban Wildlife

Coyotes

As the City of Denton grows, more residents are reporting coyote sightings. Coyotes are wild animals, yet they are extremely adaptable and survive well when their wildlife habitat becomes an urban environment. It is very difficult to capture a coyote without means that are dangerous to humans, pets and wildlife in the area. Coyotes are creatures of habit. Utilizing the coyote sighting map will help you know where they have been sighted and how to be prepared. The best wildlife management practice is to remove food sources and know what to do if you encounter a coyote.

What to Do If You See a Coyote

  • For attacks or any aggressive animal sighting, call 911 immediately.
  • Abnormal behavior or signs of illness in coyotes should be reported to Denton Animal Services at 940-349-7594. Some abnormal behaviors and signs include acting confused, limping, or staggering with paralyzed back legs.
  • If you encounter a coyote, make a loud noise, yell and wave your arms to scare them off. This action called "hazing" will help instill the fear of humans back and break bad coyote behaviors.
  • Keep making loud noises and increasing the intensity of your efforts.
  • Take a whistle or tennis ball with you when walking in your neighborhood. These are helpful tools to use to scare off a coyote.
  • Report the coyote sighting through the Engage Denton Application.

View the Coyote Sighting Map.

Common Coyote Responses

  • Being startled and running off.
  • Freezing and starring at the person.
  • Running/Walking off a short distance, stopping, then looking back. Coyotes are curious by nature. Keep being loud to scare them off.

Take Proactive Coyote Deterrent Measures

  • Make backyards less inviting by cutting back brush, removing brush piles, and sealing off crawl spaces under homes and buildings. This limits both potential shelter and the rodent population that makes up 30% of a coyote's diet.
  • Remove all possible food sources including garbage, compost, pet food, fruit, grill drippings, and other artificial food sources that supplement the coyotes' natural diet of rodents, rabbits, snakes, insects, berries, and dead animals.
  • Never feed a coyote.
  • Keep your pet on a leash at all times.
  • Keep all small dogs, cats, and other pets inside or under close supervision. They may be easy prey for coyotes.
  • Fences can keep coyotes out if they are at least six feet tall and have rollers on the top to prevent the coyote from climbing and jumping.
  • There are no commercial odors or sprays that deter coyotes. The human scent provides the best scent-related defense.
  • Do not tamper with the large canine traps set by Animal Services.

Assistance with Trapped Wildlife

If you have trapped wildlife and need it removed please contact Animal Services at 940-349-7594 and we will be happy to assist.

Wildlife Resources

Wildlife that is common to our region includes:

  • Armadillos
  • Coyotes
  • Hawks
  • Possums
  • Rabbits
  • Skunks
  • Snakes
  • Other Small Animals

Wildlife was here long before our community was developed, and experts agree that it would be impossible to remove these animals from the area. When wildlife is removed, the area is repopulated with the same species within a short amount of time. Therefore, City of Denton encourages residents to educate themselves about wildlife.

Educational Resources