What Are Wild Coyotes Doing in the Big City?

Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S., and one of the country’s most diverse. There’s a secret subculture here that’s growing larger by the year but lurks out of sight in shadow — coyotes! More than 4,000 of these canines prowl the streets of Chicago; you’ll even find them stalking amongst the skyscrapers of Michigan Avenue and busy Lake Shore Drive.

What are they doing in downtown Chicago? And how are they transforming our thinking about cities and their relationship with the natural world?

Researchers with the Chicago Urban Coyote Research Project are tracking these resourceful predators to learn their secrets. In two decades of work, they’ve collared more than 600 animals. What they’re finding is upending decades of ecological thinking.

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Hosted by Joe Hanson from It's Okay to be Smart, Overview uses incredible 4k drone footage to reveal the natural phenomena shaping our planet from a 10,000-foot view—literally.
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[mrsmucha]

Just saw a coyote sprint in back of my condo building. They really must be smart if they understand traffic lights unlike some humans who don't.

[foxwaffles]

There's a ton of coyotes where I live. I always am trying to tell people to keep their cats inside. The coyotes have learned that cats are pretty tasty

[WilhelmDrake]

I see coyotes all the time in my neighbourhood.
I hear them almost every night howling & playing.
Beautiful creatures.

[handlelesz]

I loved this episode. Urban wildlife is slept on! Please talk more about urban wildlife

[patrickfitzgerald]

We have many coyotes here in Tucson, and very few of them are interested in people or their garbage. I saw three rather large ones last week with cinnamon colored fur . . . gorgeous! 😎

[TheWolphren]

I was walking with my spouse and child in the morning in LA, and along come a coyote just walks right next to us and just continues moving. Kind of glances at us but just keeps on moving, access if nothing was wrong.

[Frenchylikeshikes]

Coyotes thrive eating from trash and leftovers, and they're super smart animals....For them, being in a city actually makes a lot of sense.

[mimiwills]

I love that the coyotes are here in Chicago. I saw one late one night around the corner from my condo once. That means they're here peacefully coexisting in my neighborhood. Awesome!

[davidbryden]

During the "lock down" the 'yotes were so relaxed, they were very casually cruising the streets of the LA basin. It was kinda surreal, seeing 'em wandering Imperial Hwy! They practically had the streets to themselves! It was just them and us homeless!

[Caterfree]

I’ve noticed coyotes in my county recently too (suburban though it is). It’s amazing how adaptable these coyotes seem to be. Just makes me worry for any neighborhood cats and dogs that may cross their paths tho.

[brandondavidson]

SciShow did an episode about how some species of animals have actually evolved into new species because of living in urban human environments.

[jackvoss]

I’ve read that coyotes fare better around civilization than out in the wild. Fewer predators, and more food.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[zennvirus]

Love the picture of the coyotes looking at the camera. They know humans are watching them.

[lookitsvane]

I love that my city is doing this! I spotted a coyote the other night by Morgan and Fulton. I thought it was a lost dog but it ignored me and kept walking.

[miguelorozco]

In my neighborhood, Albany Park, we had a coyote with 2 pups that used to hang around by the river.

[sirkowski]

"What Are Wild Coyotes Doing in the Big City?"
Eating outside cats. lol

[Beryllahawk]

Nifty episode! Animals will find ways to live, that's just how nature is - adapt or die really is accurate. I think it's a great thing that we humans are working to make spaces within our cities for the wild creatures. Such spaces will be better for us humans too! More green in the city is good for everyone!

[snigwithasword]

Those floating gardens are super cool! Has anyone done a video on those yet??

[link]

One of the coyote's diet, hares are also sprouting in major cities. This could also be a drive that coyotes are only following their prey and find out that house cats are much easier prey but also community ducks as well

[crash_test_dummy_]

We've been seeing a noticeable uptick in the Coyote population in Pinellas County, FL over the last several years.