Although a separate feral cat study was undertaken in the Chicago suburbs, results are still being analyzed. More research is needed to determine if these trickle-down effects also occur in other metropolitan areas. Thus, the coyote serves as a top predator by removing an important smaller predator, the cat, resulting in birds and perhaps other species subsequently increasing in number. Studies in California urban areas showed that coyotes reduced cats in some habitat fragments which then resulted in an increase in nesting success for songbirds. However, a positive result of coyotes removing peri-domestic or feral cats is the trickle-down effect. Those members of the public who own cats or are otherwise interested in their well-being view this function of coyotes as strongly negative.

Coyotes may kill cats for food or to remove them as potential competitors. This is perhaps one of the most controversial aspects to the urbanization of coyotes and often pits sections of the public against each other. spraying a garden hose in their direction or taking another threatening action. In fact, these relationships have been explored in some detail and it appears that coyotes have little impact on mesopredator populations outside of foxes and domestic cats, although the possible impact of coyotes on opossums has not been tested.īelow are a few examples of the impact coyotes may have in urban areas, most of which are considered positive effects. Minnesota has two species of fox, the red fox and its less common. Although this perception has become quite popular, there has been little evidence that coyotes limit raccoon or skunk populations in urban areas. Some research has suggested that coyotes may limit other medium-sized predators that are smaller than coyotes, including raccoons, striped skunks, and opossums. This supports the general impressions of most nature center and park personnel in the area. Fox populations were not specifically measured by our researchers during the 1990's in the Chicago area when the coyote population appeared to increase, but we have conducted recent surveys that indicate fox species have declined. Less is known about this relationship in large, metropolitan areas. In rural areas, coyotes often kill red foxes and limit their populations. In some cases, these relationships are fairly clear, but for others there is only speculation. They have a bluish-black scent gland located at the upper side of the base of their tail. They have a long and slender snout with triangular ears and a long bushy tail. and are around 4 5 feet long and 50 66 cm tall. There has been a flurry of studies addressing the relationships between coyotes and other medium-sized predators, such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Coyotes are smaller than the wolf and larger than the fox.

Fox vs coyote