Urban Coyotes: Preparing residents of the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area for potential conflicts

Abstract

Coyotes, Canis latrans, are members of the Family Canidae that have expanded their range and now encompass the entire continental United States. While expanding their distribution, they have adapted to an urban lifestyle. Because of their adaptable behavior and opportunistic diet, they have prospered in many major cities, with real consequences for people and their pets. The most recent urban area coyotes have inhabited is the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area. Preparing residents of this large urban area for how to prevent human-coyote and pet-coyote conflicts will be essential.