As I was walking around my yard this weekend, I discovered half a dozen peculiar-looking animal feces. After further inspection, I concluded that they were coyote scat. I’ve had a lot of rabbits around this winter, and I’m sure a coyote would enjoy eating a poor bunny. I could clearly see the scat was full of fur.

I did some research and was surprised to learn that coyotes leave their scat in a certain area to mark their territory and communicate with other coyotes, or maybe they are using my yard as a transit area. Coyotes will eat a variety of things, including seeds from bird feeders and the rodents that are attracted to them. I love to feed birds, but the bird seed may very well be a factor in the presence of these most unwelcome critters.

I’m glad I don’t have any outdoor pets right now because coyote scat contributes to the spread of diseases like distemper and parvo, and coyotes can carry fleas, mites, fluke worms, tapeworms and heartworms. People should not clean up coyote droppings unless they take the proper safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and masks. It’s safer to contact a Critter Control specialist.