Los coyotes viven en todos los rincones de América del Norte; desde toda la extensión de los Estados Unidos hasta Canadá y hacia el sur hasta México, así como otros países latinoamericanos. Estos animales no viven en ningún otro lugar. Sin embargo, los registros migratorios recientes indican que se están moviendo continuamente hacia el sur cada año.
En otros continentes, no hay coyotes y ninguno ha tenido una introducción a otras áreas del mundo. Esto se debe a que todos los demás lugares tienen su propia versión de perros salvajes, ya sean lobos, chacales o zorros, entre otros.
Nadie sabe exactamente cuántos coyotes hay en los Estados Unidos. De hecho, con la rapidez con que se reproducen sería difícil mantener un registro preciso. Sin embargo, las estimaciones los sitúan en algún lugar entre un millón y 10 millones. Lo que agrava esto es el hecho de que no todos los estados registran su población de coyotes hasta el último detalle.
Si miras a tu alrededor en línea, hay una burbuja de información que afirma que existen más coyotes hoy que durante la firma de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos. Pero no hay forma de verificar esto ya que nadie estaba realizando un censo nacional de coyotes en ese momento. Además, los avistamientos de coyotes no equivalen a una población entera.
¿Algunas áreas están superpobladas por coyotes?
Si bien los coyotes prevalecen en todos los estados de los Estados Unidos, algunos lugares tienen más coyotes que otros. Por ejemplo, Kansas contiene poblaciones masivas de coyotes. En Kentucky, existe la preocupación de que estén invadiendo el estado en masa. Pero, en lugares como Rhode Island y Delaware, el número de coyotes es bajo.
Desde las décadas de 1960 y 1970, muchas poblaciones de coyotes explotaron y comenzaron a migrar hacia el norte, el este y el sur. La razón de esta explosión en el número de coyotes se debe enteramente a la erradicación de lobos en todo Estados Unidos. Por lo tanto, los coyotes tienen pleno reinado sobre toda la extensión de América del Norte y Central.
¿Qué estados de EE.UU. tienen más coyotes?
Cada estado en los Estados Unidos continentales tiene una población considerable de coyotes. Son elementos prolíficos en lugares como Arizona, Kansas, California, Nuevo México, Kentucky, Colorado, Dakota del Sur, Dakota del Norte, Idaho, Wyoming y Texas. Pero, sus números también son bastante grandes en Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan y Tennessee.
Estados de EE.UU. que tienen coyotes
Los 49 estados dentro de los Estados Unidos tienen al menos 50 coyotes, generalmente más. Pero, debido a la frecuencia y rapidez con la que se reproducen, con varios cachorros por camada, es difícil obtener un número exacto en un estado determinado. Son tan abundantes, que incluso ha habido avistamientos en Washington DC tan recientemente como 2018.
Alabama
Los cazadores de zorros introdujeron a los coyotes en Alabama hace más de 50 años. Desde entonces, se han infiltrado en áreas urbanas, rurales, boscosas y suburbanas. Si bien es difícil obtener una población estimada de coyotes en Alabama, definitivamente se extienden por todo el estado. Esto se debe probablemente a cómo la ley los clasifica como caza legal para la caza.
Alaska
Los coyotes emigraron a Alaska a principios de 1900 y habitan gran parte de las áreas continentales dentro del estado. El Departamento de Caza y Vida Silvestre de Alaska no tiene un número estimado de población. Sin embargo, sí saben que son densos principalmente en la región sureste del estado. Viven en gran parte de los valles alrededor del río Copper, Matanuska, la península de Kenai y Susitna.
Arizona
Arizona es uno de los estados notorios por ser el hogar de muchas poblaciones nativas de coyotes. De hecho, son los depredadores más prolíficos del estado. Viven en cada esquina, rincón y grieta del estado. Las estimaciones sitúan a la población alrededor de 200,000 según el Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Arizona.
Arkansas
Arkansas clasifica a los coyotes como «vida silvestre molesta» y, por lo tanto, permite la caza permitida. Debido a esto, no hay una estimación para sus poblaciones, ya que viven en todo el estado. En cualquier caso, son prolíficos y han sido nativos de Arkansas durante siglos.
California
Los coyotes son nativos de California desde hace mucho tiempo, con estimaciones que los ubican entre 250,000 y 750,000. Según el Departamento de Pesca y Caza de California, habitan alrededor del 90% del estado. Si bien frecuentan las áreas urbanas, generalmente evitan las principales ubicaciones metropolitanas como Los Ángeles.
Colorado
Otro estado que habitan los coyotes al por mayor es Colorado. Hay un montón de caza para que coman como faisán, conejos, ciervos, antílopes y otros. Parece que el lado oriental del estado tiene una población de coyotes más gruesa y densa que el lado occidental. Dicho esto, nadie tiene una estimación de cuántos residen en el estado.
Connecticut
Migrating from the Great Lakes within the United States and Canada, coyotes flourish in Connecticut and have done so since the 1930s. But, they are not nearly as populated here as they are in other states. Estimates place them somewhere in the range of 3,000 to 5,000.
Delaware
Delaware is the latest and most recent site for coyotes. Within the last 10 years, they’ve begun to inhabit all three counties that comprise the state. While their populations are small, with estimates between 50 and 100, their numbers continue to grow at an exponential rate annually.
Florida
Coyotes are so prevalent in Florida, they inhabit all 67 of the state’s counties. This has been a recent development in the state’s history since it’s been 12,000 years that the coyotes called Florida home. Their reintroduction in 1997 places their population today around 13,000 to 70,000 statewide.
Georgia
Georgia has a thriving population of coyotes. Estimates place their numbers somewhere around 90,000. They have lived in this state for decades and cover a wide range of habitats, with numbers greatly increasing in urban and suburban areas.
Idaho
Idaho is no stranger to the coyote, especially around their denning and mating seasons. Estimates place their numbers to well over 56,000 individuals. They cover every inch of the state and have lived in Idaho for many generations.
Illinois
Coyotes are the largest wildlife predator throughout the state of Illinois. There are at least 30,000 to 85,000 of them but that number is probably much higher. Aside from the areas surrounding Chicago being prime real estate for coyotes, there are a number of wildlife preserves and plentitudes of farms where coyotes can be found.
Indiana
There are no exact estimates given for the number of coyotes living in Indiana. However, the Department of Natural Resources recognizes their existence in every part of the state. Some of the first recorded populations of coyotes in Indiana are from 1816, though it’s likely they lived there long before that time.
Iowa
Coyotes have lived in Iowa for centuries with estimates placing their numbers somewhere between 12,000 and 13,000 individuals. They reside in all 99 counties and their numbers continually grow, according to the Department of Natural Resources. This is mostly due to the vast farmlands and open fields available.
Kansas
Kansas takes a lion’s share of coyotes, with estimates placing them between 350,000 and 400,000. This is essentially the basis for their native homelands. Plus, there are plenty of remote and hidden caves for them to inhabit. State officials say this number is triple that of what was in existence in the 1980s.
Kentucky
While no one knows how many coyotes there are living in Kentucky, there are concerns that the animal population is growing rapidly. The pace is so fast that a census is next to impossible to compile. But, they’ve inhabited the area for several generations, with plenty of areas to which they can adapt.
Louisiana
Louisiana does not know how many coyotes they have but they do recognize an increase in their numbers over the course of several decades. They aren’t native to the state, with sightings and reports beginning in the 1950s. But, today, they inhabit every county in some capacity.
Maine
Even though there are coyotes throughout the entire state of Maine, they seem to thrive best in the northern part. However, it’s not uncommon to see them in major city centers as well. Scientists estimate their population to be around 12,000.
Maryland
No one knows how many coyotes reside in Maryland. But, the state does recognize their speedy growth in population since the first report of them came in 1972. So, while they are new to the state, they tend to be larger than their western cousins from places like New Mexico and Arizona.
Massachusetts
There are coyotes throughout Massachusetts except on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Other than that, they thrive in mostly urban and suburban areas. State officials place their population around 11,500.
Michigan
Michigan burgeons with coyotes. Anywhere there’s a forest or plains-like area, there’s bound to be a group of coyotes nearby. No one knows how many there are and some believe it would be folly to guess. This is because many coyotes traverse borders between Canada, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Minnesota
The Department of Natural Resources in Minnesota places their coyote population around 40,000. There has been a marked increase of coyotes throughout the state, but especially in the southern half. They tend to frequent areas that border woodlands and farmlands.
Mississippi
No one can say how many coyotes there are in Mississippi, but they are quite abundant in every county. There aren’t many reports of sightings before 1965 when they seemed to pop up in vast numbers overnight.
Missouri
The Missouri Department of Conservation doesn’t have an estimate for how many coyotes are in their midst. But, they do recognize how common these prairie canines are to the state and how quickly they are multiplying throughout every county.
Montana
Because of the immense and sheer size of Montana, no one knows how many coyotes live there. This is partly because of the border shared with Canada, where the wild canines tend to roam between the two places. But, they are plentiful and many ranchers actually use them to their advantage.
Ranchers in Montana have figured out a way to keep the coyotes happy to the point where they don’t bother their livestock. But, they will keep their distance while helping them control populations of other pests like prairie dogs, weasels, moles, and rabbits.
Nebraska
Nebraska is a very long, flat state with plenty of burrows, holes, caves, and other nooks that make a perfect den for coyotes. These creatures have existed for so long in this state that no one knows how many there are.
Nevada
Coyotes are notorious inhabitants of the entire state of Nevada. Estimates place their population somewhere in the ballpark of 55,000 to 110,000. There are plenty of mountain ranges with small game and other plants they like to eat, so it’s a very ideal spot for them to thrive.
New Hampshire
The Fish Game Department of New Hampshire surmises that the coyote population there is around 4,500. The first verified account of a coyote sighting was in 1940. However, there was a noticeable increase beginning in the early 1970s.
New Jersey
30 years ago, New Jersey estimated its coyote population to be around 100 individuals. However, that number has grown in surprising ways to around 3,000. This means 100 new coyotes come into the mix each year. They cover every inch of the state and inhabit anywhere they can find a home.
New Mexico
No one knows how many coyotes live in New Mexico. They are a natural part of the ecosystem and there are plenty of ancient Native American legends about them. This means New Mexico is part and parcel of the coyote’s habitation of North America.
New York
There are about 20,000 to 30,000 coyotes in the whole state of New York. However, while none is living in NYC or Long Island, a few coyotes accidentally wander into these metro areas from time to time.
North Carolina
There are coyote colonies in all 100 counties across the state of North Carolina. State officials place their population at an estimated 45,000. But, unlike other states, this number tends to stay at the same rate year after year; there isn’t much of a dramatic increase or decrease in their numbers.
North Dakota
According to the Department of Game Fish in North Dakota, the entire state is abundant with several subspecies of coyotes. In fact, they don’t know how many because of how they travel between Canada, Wisconsin, and Minnesota due to avoiding gray wolf territories.
Ohio
Since coyotes migrated to Ohio in 1919, they’ve come to inhabit all 88 counties throughout the state. No one knows how many there are but they love to frequent grasslands and broken forests that border farms, homesteads, and ranches.
Oklahoma
There is an overabundance of coyotes in Oklahoma. It is one state they’ve inhabited for centuries and they cover every corner. These wild canines love the vast farming and available small game that roam the state.
Oregon
A great many coyotes live in Oregon. State officials estimate their numbers to be somewhere in the ballpark of 300,000 individuals. There is a wide range of climates within the state, making it a very ideal living area for coyotes.
Pennsylvania
There are an estimated 100,000 coyotes throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania. However, they seem to be more prolific in the northern half.
Rhode Island
You can find coyotes living throughout Rhode Island except on Block Island. Other than that, no one knows how many inhabit the state.
South Carolina
There is a study underway to determine how many coyotes inhabit South Carolina. But, estimates place them at around four or five per square mile which would mean there are around 350,000 of them.
South Dakota
Coyotes are so integral to South Dakota, it’s the official state animal. While there are no estimates to show how many there are, they do reside in the western ⅔ of the state.
Tennessee
The Wildlife Resource Agency of Tennessee doesn’t know exactly how many coyotes reside within its borders. However, the Farm Bureau notes that they did make an appearance starting in the early 1960s and have slowly migrated east ever since.
Texas
Coyotes are endemic to Texas, taking over much of the territory from what the red wolf once dominated. No one knows how many coyotes there are. However, sightings are becoming more frequent around major city centers like Austin and Dallas.
Utah
There are no estimates available for how many coyotes live in Utah. But, they are quite common there. With plentitudes of protected forests, national monuments, and salt flats, there are a host of places where they can inhabit and thrive rather well.
Vermont
State officials and rangers surmise there are anywhere between 4,500 and 8,000 coyotes throughout Vermont. They inhabit wetlands and forests as well as cities, villages, and farm towns. There are plenty of rabbits, squirrels, and other vermin for them to eat, which helps keep other pest populations down.
Virginia
There are at least 50,000 coyotes in Virginia but probably more according to the estimations studied by Virginia Tech. While they do inhabit every area around the state, they are most prolific with large social structures west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Washington
Preferring the edges of forests and open habitat areas, there are many coyotes that call the state of Washington home. However, no one has tried to estimate how many there are. That said, some locals place their numbers somewhere in the range of tens of thousands.
West Virginia
Over the course of 100 years, coyotes have found their way into West Virginia. Estimates place their numbers somewhere between 11,000 and 12,000. They tend to love the edges of forests, especially farmlands that border woodland areas.
Wisconsin
Coyotes love their Wisconsin home where there are plenty of forests, woodlands, marshes, and open prairies. There are estimates that some 17,000 to 20,000 coyotes live throughout the state with most densely populating the northern half.
Wyoming
Wyoming is a large, mountainous state that also has plenty of forests and flatlands for coyotes. No one knows how many inhabit the area, however. There could be as little as 10,000 or as many as 150,000. Since Wyoming borders several native coyote states, they likely travel between these places.
US States that Don’t Have Coyotes
There is only one US state that doesn’t have coyotes and that’s Hawaii. But, technically speaking, it isn’t a state within the continental United States. The only way a coyote would end up in Hawaii is if someone imported it there.
Local authorities in Hawai go to great lengths to protect their unique ecosystem, however, and introducing coyotes might spell disaster for local wildlife.
Are There Coyotes in Canada?
Every province in Canada has coyotes and they are quite widespread. Many of the ones that reside in the southern half of the country traverse the borders into the United States as well as Alaska. At one time they relegated themselves to woodlands and open plains. But, in recent years, they’ve begun to move into urban areas.
Alberta
It’s likely there are some 100,000 to 150,000 coyotes in the entire province of Alberta. They are so prevalent that government officials attest to locals trapping 20,000 to 30,000 of them each year.
British Columbia
While we don’t know the whole population of coyotes throughout the entire province of British Columbia, there are estimates of 2,000 to 3,000 in the southern half. They frequent urban areas, where there’s food and other means for coyotes to thrive.
Manitoba
No one has yet documented or researched how many coyotes live in Manitoba. However, sightings of them are prevalent in Winnipeg; especially in the winter when they’re most active.
New Brunswick
Due to the heavy snowfalls and forested areas of New Brunswick, the coyote population there tends to fluctuate. Estimates place their numbers somewhere in the ballpark of 10,000 to 15,000 but there very well could be many more.
Newfoundland Labrador
The government in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador say that there are around 5,600 coyotes. They consider the animal to be native to the land, having naturalized themselves there for several decades.
Northwest Territories
Due to the vast expanse of wildlife and land in the Northwest Territories of Canada, no one knows how many coyotes reside there. However, coyotes have made this area their home for generations.
Nova Scotia
Officials in Nova Scotia place coyote populations around 8,000 individuals. They are rather new to the area with the first trapping of one occurring in 1977.
Nunavut
While coyotes are a recognized animal in the Nunavut territory, no one knows how many of them there are. Having said that, sightings are rather frequent and there are plenty of places for them to create sizable dens to house large packs of coyotes.
Ontario
No one has yet tallied the number of coyotes that live in Ontario. However, they do inhabit a large swath of land in the southern section of the province. They’ve lived in the area since the earliest parts of the 20th century.
Prince Edward Island
Coyotes fill the entire province covering Prince Edward Island. In fact, their populations are self-limiting with little to no concerns about their numbers overtaking the area. Provincial officials estimate there are around 2,000 coyotes and this number stays rather steady.
Quebec
While there are thousands of coyote sightings each year throughout Quebec, no one knows how many there are. Recent efforts to control their numbers in the province have resulted in a reduction in their appearances. But, the coyotes in Quebec tend to be more aggressive, with several reports of attacks and biting in 2020 alone.
Saskatchewan
Coyotes are long-time residents in the southern half of Saskatchewan. Estimates place their numbers in the range of around 100,000.
Yukon
For over 100 years, coyotes have inhabited areas around the Yukon. Residents often report sightings of them in their backyards. However, no one has a guess as to how many there are.
Are There Coyotes in Latin America?
There are healthy populations of coyotes throughout Latin America. In fact, some researchers postulate that the coyote originated in Mexico, self-naturalizing in the western US around the 1700s.
Regardless, coyotes have called Mexico home for a long time. The densest populations live in the areas around Jalisco, Michoacán, and Guerrero.
Coyotes have been migrating south since the 1970s starting with Belize.There are coyotes as far south as Panama, with the first sighting in 2013. But there are many coyotes living throughout Central America. Costa Rica reports having them, mostly in their wild forest preserves and deserts.
También hay muchos coyotes en El Salvador, pero otros depredadores como pumas, linces, lobos y panteras son enemigos naturales. Por lo tanto, nadie sabe realmente cuántos coyotes hay. Hay avistamientos de coyotes en Guatemala, Nicaragua y Honduras, pero las estimaciones tienden a ser bajas.
¿Se han introducido coyotes fuera de las Américas?
Hasta la fecha, ningún coyote vive en ningún otro lugar fuera de América del Norte y Central. Esto se debe a su clasificación como especie invasora en muchas áreas. Si bien los coyotes son adaptables a una serie de climas y terrenos, probablemente sería desastroso introducirlos en otros lugares.
Esto se debe a que la mayoría de las áreas ya tienen sus propias versiones de perros salvajes y caninos, que sirven para los mismos propósitos que los coyotes. Ayudan a mantener y controlar los roedores además de servir a varios otros delicados equilibrios ecológicos.
Con los coyotes clasificados como una plaga o una especie invasora, no tendría sentido naturalizarlos en otro continente. Si necesita más pruebas, solo mire lo que sucedió en Australia cuando importaron conejos europeos en los siglos 18 y 19. Si bien los coyotes no son conejos, el desastre ecológico potencial planteado sería comparable.
¿Hay coyotes en Europa?
No hay coyotes en Europa. Sin embargo, existe el Chacal Dorado, que es un primo muy cercano. El chacal europeo y el chacal dorado (que es una subespecie del chacal europeo) son nativos de la región mediterránea de Europa en lugares como Italia y Grecia. Todavía no habitan lugares como Francia, Alemania o el Reino Unido.
Aunque los chacales se mueven en esa dirección cada vez más cada año, sus movimientos son algo lentos. Al igual que los coyotes, los chacales evitarán a los lobos y sus territorios; y los lobos son abundantes en toda Europa occidental. Sin embargo, en las Islas Británicas, así como en Escocia e Irlanda, los zorros y algunas especies de gatos salvajes son más comunes. Si bien hay algunos lobos, son muy pocos en número.
¿Hay coyotes en Australia?
No hay coyotes en Australia, allí tienen dingos que son primos cercanos de los coyotes. De hecho, los dingos solo viven en Australia y son los principales depredadores del país. Lo que es interesante, sin embargo, es que los dingos pueden muy bien ser el perro salvaje más antiguo y antiguo del mundo.
Al igual que el coyote en América del Norte, los australianos tienen una relación agridulce de amor / odio con los dingos. Por un lado, son conocidos por fugarse con mascotas. Pero, son un activo invaluable para controlar las abundantes poblaciones de conejos que tienden a diezmar el país.
¿Es lo mismo un dingo que un coyote?
Un dingo no es lo mismo que un coyote. Tienen composiciones genéticas, hábitos y características físicas completamente diferentes. Lo que diferencia a los dingos de los coyotes es el hecho de que los dingos fueron una vez caninos domésticos que volvieron a un estado salvaje. Los coyotes son completamente salvajes.
Sin embargo, los dingos son muy parecidos a los coyotes en su estructura social, comportamiento general y patrones de caza. Viven en manadas que dominan el paisaje y son cazadores oportunistas, carroñeros y embaucadores versátiles.
¿Hay coyotes en África?
África no tiene coyotes. En cambio, tienen varias especies de lobos y chacales. Estos animales tienen los mismos propósitos que el coyote en América del Norte y Central. Comen roedores y otras presas que se apoderarían de enormes franjas de tierra si no se controlan. Los chacales y lobos en África viven en guaridas y son cazadores oportunistas.
¿Son los coyotes y los chacales lo mismo?
Los chacales y los coyotes no son lo mismo, aunque son primos. Los chacales viven principalmente en África y son mucho más pequeños que los coyotes. Sin embargo, los coyotes tienen una mordida más débil que los chacales. Pero, ambos sirven para los mismos propósitos en sus respectivas tierras y mantienen bajas las poblaciones de roedores. Esto es invaluable para los agricultores y los lugareños, evitando que las enfermedades se vuelvan desenfrenadas.
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