Many residents at Shadowbrook have noted the abundant wildlife with whom we share our community. In addition to foxes, bunnies, and hawks, animals such as bears, fisher cats, and coyotes have been seen on our grounds and in the adjacent woodlands.
A recent article in the Boston Sunday Globe notes that the coyote population in Massachusetts has been increasing since their appearance here in the 1950s.
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife biologist Dave Wattles, who was interviewed for the article, noted that “Eastern coyotes resemble medium-sized dogs, but have longer, denser fur and pointed, erect ears, according to MassWildlife. They have long, bushy tails and grizzled gray fur, but color can vary. Females typically weigh 33-40 pounds, males 34-47 pounds. Some weigh over 50 pounds,” and they are “a mix of coyote, wolf, and dog DNA — 65-80 percent western coyote, 10-25 percent wolf, and 8-15 percent domestic dog.”
Wattles said that coyotes regularly take pets in Massachusetts and that it’s almost a daily occurrence in the Bay State, and that attacks on pets increase in winter months. “January, February, and March is coyote breeding season,” and coyotes “may see large dogs as competitors.” There have also been occasional attacks on people–30 people have been bitten by coyotes in Massachusetts since 1998, and Wattles advises never to feed coyotes or any wildlife.
For more information, see these resources:
MA Fisheries and Wildlife–Eastern Coyotes Fact Sheet
Boston Globe–Learn to live with coyotes because they’re here to stay