West Seattle coyotes: Yes, they come out in the daytime

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Here’s the latest proof of that:

That photo is from Scott, who says the coyote was “right in the front yard” at 39th and Graham, 8 am today. *Added – an 8:20 am photo from Jamie, same area*:

Another sighting this morning, via Twitter:

There was a coyote hanging out at Fauntleroy and Raymond this morning @westseattleblog

— Dorcas Bean (@dorcasbean) November 5, 2014

And Robyn saw one “run west up the sidewalk on Rose Street west of 35th” around 5 o’clock Tuesday evening.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE ONE? As the experts advise – do everything you can to scare it away. Yell, wave, throw rocks. That’s what experts urge, to encourage them to keep their distance. And remove every source of food you can (that includes outdoor pet food as well as small pets themselves, although experts say they more often eat small wild animals such as rats).

Sweetie November 5, 2014 (2:27 pm)

Discourage yes and keep your pets safe, but ease don’t hurt them !

me November 5, 2014 (3:41 pm)

You could see them in the high point park this am Wednesday. Yelling dose not seem to matter or effect them

unknown November 5, 2014 (4:22 pm)

I know I’m going to get a lot of feedback on my comment but here goes… I know they’re not native here but they somehow got here and now have to live here, I’m sure they don’t understand or like us as much as we despise them but do as the “experts” say don’t leave any kind of food outside, keep your pets inside and when they have to go out go with them (my cats never go outside) and maybe we can all live together, they’ll keep the rats away and our pets will stay safe.

trickycoolj November 5, 2014 (4:49 pm)

Coyotes are definitely native. They live all over the state in the wild. My grandpa and I were joking last weekend that no stray cat that comes to his property has ever had a tail because of the coyotes (escaped barn cats often find his property).

Dick November 5, 2014 (8:01 pm)

I still suggest we introduce Roadrunners to control the coyote population.

Elise Lindborg November 5, 2014 (10:17 pm)

Dick – that’s funny!

datamuse November 5, 2014 (10:21 pm)

I’d suggested wolves, Dick, since their absence is one of the reasons coyotes’ range has expanded so much. For some reason no one seems to like that idea. :D

evergreen November 6, 2014 (5:59 am)

Glad they eat the rats.

Rick November 6, 2014 (8:48 am)

Speaking of “native”, the planet got along just fine before humans. And it will after. Try to enjoy your time here.

Peggy November 6, 2014 (9:00 am)

Coyote in photos looks a lot like the one seen in upper Fauntleroy/Arbor Heights, skinny and suffering from mange.

G November 6, 2014 (2:51 pm)

Coyotes are not native to West Seattle, neither are Barred Owls. But it’s splitting hairs at this point, I guess. Native critters and people will have to adapt, willing or not.

westseattledood November 6, 2014 (8:59 pm)

G’s right – splitting hairs at this point indeed, but the coyotes are not native to Puget Sound. The species has been exceedingly successful and has migrated out from the Plains. They adapt to every type of environment – it only took a matter of a dozen decades, give or take, to get this far west.

I still wonder if sterilization shots will ever be a viable control method to keep the populations down. I don’t think it is possible to ever get rid of them entirely.

I certainly don’t let my cat out. Between cars on busy arterials and coyotes in the greenbelt and down the street, it isn’t a risk I am comfortable with. The cat cannot defend itself against the weight of a moving car nor can it defend itself against an adept, wily coyote.