Photo: ru_24_real
One of the initial weekly questions (formerly known as Friday Questions) we asked focused on coyotes. We thought for sure sightings of this stealthy animal were urban legend but with nearly 100 comments from our readers, we’re now taking the situation seriously.
We started to plot every sighting noted in our comment section but quickly realized coyotes span the entire Knoxville region. So we stopped, but we included the map at the bottom of this article so you can see just how prominent this animal is. As urban sprawl ekes into other areas we humans disrupt animal habitats.
How to Protect Your Pets
Many readers noted missing cats, dogs, and even a goat. Here are tips on how you can protect your pets from coyotes.
- Privacy Fence – the most obvious protection method, a fence will keep out all types of animals. Coyotes are known to have unique methods for baiting animals into their lair but in most cases they will not work for food, ie. jumping a fence to gain access to prey.
- Secure Housing – if you need to keep an animal outside, such as a rabbit, make sure the housing structure is secure. Rotten wood or shoddy wire fencing can make access to these pets easy for coyotes.
- Put a Lid On It – we all know that bears will sift through your trash for food but did you know coyotes will too? Make sure your trash or other pet food is securely protected from wild animals.
- Rodents – get rid of rodents. Coyotes will follow these little guys which may lead them right to your house.
- Hire a Llama – it may sound crazy but llamas and alpacas have been known to protect other animals from coyotes.
Hunting and Trapping Laws
With almost 100 comments we knew someone would ask about harming a coyote. If you seek to take matters into your own hands we urge you to read the Knox County laws surrounding hunting and trapping of animals. You can also call on the Knox County Animal Control for help.
We hope this information will be helpful as all Knoxvillians appear to be dealing with a coyote problem.
View Knoxville, TN Coyote Sightings in a larger map
Sources: Wildlife Conservation 101, eHow
Comments 9
They are off of Pleasant Ridge Road too. We can hear them sometimes at night and they sound scary.
Maybe the urban sprawl has us invading their habitat, so they’ve been displaced by people.
Dave, many people would think that in fact we are invading their habitat by building more houses, etc. The fact is that Coyotes are not native to Tennessee or the southeast. These animals started to increase in number in their native part of the southwest United States, and eventually made their way into other parts of the country where they adapt very well to any climate. By, 1960- 1970 coyotes had made their way into Tennessee and no control program was in place until the mid to late 1970’s. Because they are so able to adapt to many areas they have become a pest in many suburban areas where they find an unlimited supply of food, water and shelter.
About a month and a half ago saw two coyotes running down the street about 1:00 am. Then about two weeks later my neighbor caught a coyote on film, in her backyard catching a racoon in his mouth and running to a wooded area (woods and creek in our backyard). We live in a very populated area behind St. joseph School on Cedar Lane.
Almost slammed into a younger coyote that ran into the road as I was driving down the hill on Watt Rd. going towards the truck stops. There are several neighborhoods within a mile radius, and a younger coyote has parents and siblings somewhere close. Very scary.
Just spotted a gray coyote(surely not a wolf?) in the woods behind Sunchase Apts on Cedar Bluff rd., Sept 29th 2011… Fearful now for my cats.
I saw a coyote walking right down the sidewalk in Farragut, Old Stage Hills Road, very near Virtue Road, around 11pm at night. It was VERY scary to see. I just knew immediately that it wasn’t a dog.
About a month and a half ago saw two coyotes running down the street about 1:00 am. Then about two weeks later my neighbor caught a coyote on film, in her backyard catching a racoon in his mouth and running to a wooded area (woods and creek in our backyard). We live in a very populated area behind St. joseph School on Cedar Lane.
Just saw one on Glasgow Rd.