Missouri Department of Conservation officials say it’s important this time of year to be especially vigilant of pets in local neighborhoods and farms. People in Kearney have reported seeing or hearing coyotes in the Greenfield and Southbrook subdivisions as well as around 19th Street, 92 Highway and Plattsburg Road.

Unlike many other kinds of wildlife, coyotes adapt particularly well around human development and coexist with people in many places. These areas can include municipal parks and other urban green space, golf courses, cemeteries, suburban wooded common areas and even within subdivisions themselves.

As a result of this, conflicts can sometimes occur between humans and these wild canines, particularly when it comes to small pets. Coyotes have been known on occasion to attack and kill small dogs.

According to MDC Wildlife Damage Biologist Tom Meister, one of the secrets behind the coyote’s survival success is their diet. “A true scavenger, the coyote will eat just about anything, including: foxes, groundhogs, mice, rabbits, squirrels, fruits, vegetables, birds, insects, carrion (dead animals) and common household garbage,” Meister said.

Meister also notes that coyotes may attack family pets not as a food source, but because instead they see them as competition for other food.

Coyotes typically breed in February and March. Females give birth to four or five pups about 60 days later.

“Because food requirements increase dramatically during pup rearing, April through May is when conflicts between humans and urban coyotes are most common,” said Meister. At this time, coyotes are on the move more seeking food, and may act more aggressively toward any animal they see as potential competition, like family dogs.

Coyotes have been seen in Kearney subdivisions and neighborhoods as recently as last week.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story