A new study published September 10 in Environmental Research: Ecology reveals that the number of coyotes in Seattle is nine times higher than in Washington’s wild areas. Researchers analyzed 842 coyote scats collected from Seattle and from wild areas near Winthrop and Chewelah. By identifying 213 individual coyotes based on scat samples, they calculated the density of coyotes in urban versus rural settings. The study found that urban coyotes have a more varied diet than their wild counterparts, with their food sources being more than twice as diverse. Both urban and wild coyotes primarily eat berries and rabbits, but the abundance of rabbits in Seattle, often referred to as a “bunny boom,” may have drawn more coyotes to the area. Researchers also compared coyote density with factors such as pollution, tree cover, buildings, roads, human population density, and income levels. Only human population density appeared to influence coyote numbers. In Seattle, higher human density was associated with lower coyote density, yet the overall number of coyotes in the city was far greater than in rural areas. Urban environments may seem dangerous for coyotes, but they actually offer better survival conditions. In cities, coyotes are less likely to be killed or go hungry. Their main threats are cars and disease, whereas in the wild, they face predators like wolves and mountain lions. Rural landowners may also kill coyotes to protect livestock. In urban areas, coyotes can act as top predators, avoiding larger carnivores and thriving in human-modified landscapes. Researchers also explored how wealth might affect coyote density, noting that wealthier neighborhoods often have more plant and animal diversity, which could attract coyotes. While long-term data on coyote populations is limited, there is strong anecdotal evidence that their numbers have increased in recent decades. Coyotes are often seen during dawn and dusk, but they are now also spotted during the day. Although they generally avoid people, some residents have raised concerns about coyotes attacking pets or showing aggressive behavior. Coyotes are territorial and may fight over territory, which helps control their population in the absence of other predators. However, it is unclear if Seattle has reached the limit of how many coyotes the city can support. Coyotes are a common sight in Seattle’s parks and neighborhoods, but without formal data, tracking their population trends remains challenging. "That might surprise people who think of coyotes as afraid of humans, but I think it just shows how ideal the urban setting is for coyotes," said Laura Prugh, a professor of environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington. The study also highlights how coyotes can benefit the ecosystem, such as by controlling rabbit populations that damage plants. Ultimately, Prugh said, "Coyotes are here to stay in cities, and it is up to us to learn how to live with them."