Well, this confirms it, I got coyotes.Yesterday I went out back to see the tracks I had seen the day before a little closer. They didn't look like dog tracks, too sharp and pointed. So, I went online and found some images and lo and behold, they matched the coyote. This is no big deal really, we have a slew of them around here, but I had not seen any sign of them in my yard.
A few years ago I lost my cat, Timothy, to what I have always believed was a coyote. A year or two before that I saw one from a distance under a street light howling at it. Now, that was a strange sight.
One unique thing about coyote tracks is that they are "paired" as opposed to a dog. Two tracks, one immediately in front of the other, and two more just a couple of feet behind those.
This is a photo of the tracks I found in my back yard. See how they are "paired" like in the diagram?
The actual track itself is tight together. The pads are almost triangular, and the claws leave a unmistakable impression. The photo below matches the above diagram.
Anyway. Nothing we can do about it. There here, and so are we. At least we don't have black bears like my friends out near Springfield have. I know there was one sighted around town a few years ago, but I haven't heard anything since then. Jeesh, I had hard time dealing with the Red Squirrels in my yard last summer, never mind having to deal with a bear, or a coyote.
So, take this as a reminder. There are coyotes in town. They will eat yo
ur cat, or Toy Poodle if given a chance. They do come out during the day time if they are hungry enough, and they will make a move towards anything they feel they can over power.
ur cat, or Toy Poodle if given a chance. They do come out during the day time if they are hungry enough, and they will make a move towards anything they feel they can over power.We need to just be careful, and learn to live with them.
Oh, and one thing that may help next time you have to go out back to put out the trash, try saying really loud, "Beep,beep."
I hear it scares the bejeepers out of them.
For more information on Coyotes here in Massachusetts go to:
Great story about the coyotes. We hear them here when we seasonally open our windows - which I'm REALLY looking forward to - they pack, screech and howl before (or after) the hunt, and at times, it's blood curdling noise. But at the same time, I nestle down and fall into deep sleep usually. It's such soul food.
ReplyDeleteWe keep our cat indoors. She would definitely look like Coyote Cheesecake if we let her out. Or, even a fisher would like to have her, we have those too. Love nature, we have to co-exist!
Sorry to hear about your cat. It's totally possible a coyote got it. Dogs are notorious for killin cats as well. Like above poster, fisher are a good one for getting cats... as well as red fox.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We have two kittens now, both are indoor cats. The road out front is too busy, and there are Fishers, coyotes, and other wild beasts out there just looking for a cat-snack.
ReplyDelete