Varmints in Chicago

[Richard Jones]

Not the 2-legged variety....

Been a few years since this was brought up.

I watched a David Attenborough documentary the other day in which he stated that there was an estimated 4,000 coyotes IN Chicago. 4,000. Mind boggling. He said that the parks attracted them with the natural food supply. I can't understand how the rabbits, squirrels, etc. can keep their numbers up with so many coyotes out and about... He also said that the coyotes were not scavenging trash cans, etc, but I find that a bit hard to believe, being that a coyote is about the most opportunistic critter in existence...

 

[ohlongarmisle]

Not the 2-legged variety....

Been a few years since this was brought up.

I watched a David Attenborough documentary the other day in which he stated that there was an estimated 4,000 coyotes IN Chicago. 4,000. Mind boggling. He said that the parks attracted them with the natural food supply. I can't understand how the rabbits, squirrels, etc. can keep their numbers up with so many coyotes out and about... He also said that the coyotes were not scavenging trash cans, etc, but I find that a bit hard to believe, being that a coyote is about the most opportunistic critter in existence...

We stayed on the magnificent mile in Chicago ,on the river 25th floor, all day and night I saw coyotes walking along the river,despite heavy human presence and boats.

 

[jds holler]

As I recall the gestation period for rodents, all of em, is 21 days. And the litters are pretty big. That alone provides a pretty large food source for predators, and I also would be surprised if they're not pulling cleanup on other garbage, which is ever-present around humanity. jd

 

[Bill K]

They adapt very well around humans when necessary. I understand NYC's Central Park also has plenty of them and not many people know or see them. They can be both very bold and very sneaky, depending on the situation they are living in.

 

[jds holler]

I'll bet they keep the stray cats on their toes. And the non-stray cats. jd

 

[n.c.outlaw2024]

a lot of animals like that adapt well into urban society. it was not uncommon to see mr/mrs fox in the back garden when i still lived in the uk. these days it is trash pandas and possums. all beneficial for the echosystem btw. not surprised that coyotes are in nyc or chicago. as long as humans make messes these animals will be here as a clean up crew

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Coyote are in urban environments because no hunting and a steady food supply. No food they leave or die.

 

[drover]

Not the 2-legged variety....

Been a few years since this was brought up.

I watched a David Attenborough documentary the other day in which he stated that there was an estimated 4,000 coyotes IN Chicago. 4,000. Mind boggling. He said that the parks attracted them with the natural food supply. I can't understand how the rabbits, squirrels, etc. can keep their numbers up with so many coyotes out and about... He also said that the coyotes not scavenging trash cans, etc, but I find that a bit hard to believe, being that a coyote is about the most opportunistic critter in existence...

Google coywolf - there was a very good study done on them in the urban areas. I found it very interesting - they referred to them as a new "super predator".

drover

 

[Mark W]

Orlando, FL also has coyote problems in the city.

 

[RegionRat]

I'm not at all surprised and his estimate is probably low.
I was raised near there and many folks have coyotes around them and are not aware.

The proliferation of internet, security cams, social platforms like NextDoor, etc., are now showing these folks what happened to their kitty/puppy that went missing.

They leave their small animals outside, along with food, and it is a matter of time before the coyotes discover them. The difference now is you have the neighbors finding it recorded on their security cams and then there is no mystery where kitty or puppy went.

 

[jxb]

Not the 2-legged variety....

Been a few years since this was brought up.

I watched a David Attenborough documentary the other day in which he stated that there was an estimated 4,000 coyotes IN Chicago. 4,000. Mind boggling. He said that the parks attracted them with the natural food supply. I can't understand how the rabbits, squirrels, etc. can keep their numbers up with so many coyotes out and about... He also said that the coyotes were not scavenging trash cans, etc, but I find that a bit hard to believe, being that a coyote is about the most opportunistic critter in existence...

Not a surprise, they love urban areas.
portlandcoyote . com

https://pdxedu.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=db99c10f5d6e4bb7afeaa36d1fd5e0f2

keep in mind that's just reported, not estimated numbers or anything and based on this it appears people in the city report far more than outlying areas. We see coyotes all the time where I live in the burbs about 10mi south of libtardville (Portland).