How to Stay Safe, Arizona! Dangerous Coyote Mating Season is Here!

• Coyote mating season could be dangerous to humans and pets.
• Make sure rabies vaccinations are current.
• What to do if you cross paths with a coyote.

Coyote Mating Season in Arizona

It's that time of year again—coyote mating season is in full swing. 

Coyotes are resilient, adaptable critters that live just about everywhere in Arizona. As humans have moved into their territory, these wild dogs have returned the favor. They've discovered that staying close to humans can provide them with many of the amenities they need to live and thrive.

Coyotes live in deserts, forests, and grasslands, and, believe it or not, they can even be spotted in wetlands. Increasingly, they're living in urban areas alongside humans and pets. I've seen many coyotes skulking through parks and neighborhoods around my town.

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It's easy to understand why these wiley critters adapt well to cities and towns. They can be found snacking on available garbage, pet food, and small animals. Sadly, even our pets are vulnerable.

Why Coyote Mating Season is Especially Dangerous for Humans and Pets

Mating is even more dangerous for animals and pets. Coyote mating season typically runs from January to March, but it can vary slightly depending on the weather and a few factors.

READ: Watch Your Pets in Arizona! This Dangerous Threat Could Hurt Them

Coyotes generally deliver a litter in about 63 days, and they typically have three to seven pups.

Coyotes and Rabies

One of the biggest concerns about contact with coyotes is the danger of pets or humans contracting rabies after being bitten. Pets' rabies vaccinations must be up-to-date. If your pet is bitten, it will have to be quarantined, and the outcome could be dire.

Rabies symptoms can take a while to show up, so vaccination is the best line of defense against infection.

Keeping You and Your Pets Safe from Coyotes

Here are ways to stay safe:

1. Keep pets on a leash, especially at night. Don't tie them up unsupervised in a yard. Coyotes can often dig under or jump fences, and your dog may not be able to get away.
2. Supervise your pets when they're in your yard. Again, don't leave them alone.
3. Remove food sources like pet food, garbage, and bird seed from your yard - anything a coyote or other wild animal can turn into a food or water source.
4. Secure your yard with a fence at least six feet tall to lessen the possibility of a coyote jumping into your yard.

READ: Virus Surging in Arizona: 'It's Time to Update Vaccinations'

What to Do if You Encounter a Coyote

During mating season, coyotes may be more active and aggressive, and you're much more likely to cross paths.

If you do run across a coyote, stay out of its way as much as possible. Experts recommend making yourself look bigger to scare them off. Make loud noises, wave your arms around, and throw objects to scare them away.

Coyotes are generally more afraid of us than we are of them. Living with coyotes and other wildlife will happen no matter where you live. We can all get along if we take steps to stay safe.

Sources: Arizona Fish and Game | Vet Explains Pets | AskAIVet | A-Z Animals | National Park Service