Most visitors never meet most of this. Florida is a big state and its wildlife changes a lot from region to region - a cane toad is a South Florida backyard problem, a black bear is a central and north Florida one, and a crocodile only matters in the far south. These guides are here for the encounter you do have, not because one is likely.
Coyotes are found throughout Florida.
That includes:
- Rural areas
- Suburbs
- Cities
- Golf-course communities
- Neighborhoods near preserves
- Coastal developments
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says coyotes have been documented in all 67 Florida counties.
For pet owners, the practical rule is:
Do not let cats or small dogs roam freely.
Coyotes Live in Urban Florida
Coyotes are highly adaptable.
They can live around:
- Homes
- Apartment communities
- Parks
- Golf courses
- Retention ponds
- Wooded strips
- Vacant land
Seeing one in a developed neighborhood does not automatically mean it is sick or unusually aggressive.
Small Dogs and Cats Are Vulnerable
FWC says coyotes can and do prey on:
- Domestic cats
- Small dogs
Most reported pet attacks occur:
- At night
- Around dusk
- Around dawn
Keep Cats Indoors
FWC specifically recommends keeping cats indoors.
Free-roaming cats face risks from:
- Coyotes
- Domestic dogs
- Vehicles
- Disease
Walk Small Dogs on a Short Leash
FWC recommends a leash:
Less than six feet long
especially:
- Night
- Dusk
- Dawn
- Wooded areas
- Areas with heavy vegetation
Use a non-retractable leash for better control.
Do Not Let Dogs Roam a Fenced Yard Unsupervised
A fence helps, but it is not perfect.
FWC says coyotes:
- Can jump fences
- Can climb some fences
- Can dig beneath weak spots
If pets use a fenced yard, FWC recommends:
- Fence at least 6 feet high
- Check bottom for holes
- Consider coyote rollers or other deterrents where appropriate
Make Noise Before Letting the Dog Out at Night
Before a nighttime potty break:
- Turn on outdoor lights
- Make noise
- Scan the yard
FWC recommends this because wildlife may already be present.
Remove Food Attractants
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders.
Remove or secure:
- Pet food
- Garbage
- Fallen fruit
- Bird seed
- Compost
Never intentionally feed coyotes.
FWC says feeding coyotes is illegal.
What If a Coyote Follows You?
FWC says coyotes can sometimes follow people or dogs.
Possible reasons include:
- Nearby den
- Habituation to people
- Expectation of food
- Interest in a small dog
Do not run.
Keep your dog close and leave the area.
Hazing
FWC recommends hazing coyotes that become too comfortable around people.
Hazing can include:
- Yelling
- Waving arms
- Making loud noises
- Air horn
- Pots and pans
The goal is to reinforce that people are not something coyotes should approach.
Do Not Pick Up a Small Dog Without Thinking
FWC warns that picking up a small pet may stop an attack, but an aggressive coyote may continue trying to reach the pet while it is in your arms.
Your safety matters too.
When to Contact FWC
Report unusual behavior such as a coyote that:
- Approaches people closely
- Allows very close approach
- Chases joggers or cyclists
- Attacks leashed pets
- Acts aggressively
Contact your nearest FWC regional office.
A Daytime Coyote Is Not Automatically Rabid
Coyotes can be active during the day.
Daytime activity by itself is not proof of disease.
If a Coyote Bites Your Pet
Contact your veterinarian.
FWC also recommends reporting mammal bites to your local county health department.
Best Coyote-Safety Checklist
- Cats indoors
- Small dogs on short leash
- Supervise yard
- Use lights at night
- Make noise before stepping outside
- Remove pet food
- Secure garbage
- Never feed coyotes
- Do not let dogs chase them
Related Guides
- Bobcats and Small Pets in Florida
- Florida Panthers and Pets
- Black Bears and Dogs
- Florida Wildlife With Pets: Complete Guide
- Florida Wildlife Emergency Checklist for Pet Travelers
Coyotes are now a normal part of Florida’s landscape.
The safest strategy is not trying to eliminate every coyote.
It is making your pet difficult to reach and your property unrewarding to visit.
Sources
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