Coyotes (Canis latrans) have become dominant predators in many parts of North America, including the southeastern United States.  Coyotes are immigrants to the Southeast, originating in the plains and mountainous regions of western North America.  The past 200 years have brought large-scale changes to the North American landscape and coyotes are now present in every state in the continental U.S., Alaska, throughout southern Canada, and even in some isolated areas like Cape Code and Prince Edward Island.

Not only have coyotes moved across North America, but more recently, they have become common inhabitants of urban areas.  A coyote was found in New York City’s Central Park in April 1999, and another one was captured in March 2006.  More recently, a resident of Opelika was attacked by a coyote summer 2007.