Urban coyotes denning in plain sight, study finds

New research tracks coyotes in Atlanta, revealing they are raising pups in neighborhoods without residents' knowledge.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 7:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study published in Ecology and Evolution tracked 48 urban coyotes with GPS collars across Atlanta and found 20 active dens, with most people in those neighborhoods unaware of the coyotes' presence. The coyotes chose den sites that provided visual cover and avoided areas with high human activity, demonstrating their ability to coexist with people while raising their young.

Why it matters

This research highlights the adaptability of coyotes and their ability to thrive in urban environments, even in close proximity to humans. As cities continue to expand, understanding coyote denning behavior is crucial for managing human-wildlife interactions and promoting coexistence.

The details

The study found that more than half of the dens were in natural structures like existing burrows and fallen tree trunks, while others used available human-made materials like discarded concrete, an overturned boat, and a large half-buried tractor tire. The coyotes chose these sites to avoid detection and minimize interactions with people. Lead author Summer Fink said the coyotes 'were trying to avoid people' and 'perceiving that risk' to select den locations with less human activity.

  • The study was published in March 2026.
  • Coyote pupping season in Georgia runs from mid-March through mid-April, while in other regions it can extend through mid-May.

The players

Michel Kohl

Study co-author and ecologist who said most people don't realize coyotes are living and reproducing in the same spaces as humans.

Summer Fink

Doctoral candidate at the University of Georgia and lead author of the study.

Wolf Conservation Center

An organization that provided information about coyote pack behavior and diet.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Most people don't even know coyotes live in our cities. This paper demonstrates that these animals are living and reproducing in the same spaces as us without people even realizing it.”

— Michel Kohl, Study co-author and ecologist

“Basically, we saw that the coyotes were trying to avoid people. The animals didn't want to den in areas where there was a lot of human activity and development.”

— Summer Fink, Doctoral candidate and lead author

“This highlights how well coyotes are able to avoid us, which suggests that people's fear of coyotes is often greater than the actual risk.”

— Michel Kohl, Study co-author and ecologist

What’s next

As urbanization increases and denning locations become more limited, it will put further pressure on the ability of urban coyote populations to sustain themselves, according to study co-author Michel Kohl.

The takeaway

This research demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of coyotes and their ability to coexist with humans in urban environments, even raising their young in close proximity to people. Understanding coyote denning behavior is crucial for managing human-wildlife interactions and promoting coexistence as cities continue to expand.