Two deceased cats were found in a Santa Clara neighborhood yesterday, and SVACA's preliminary investigation suggests coyotes were the likely culprits. With the rapid expansion of urban environments and a diminishing natural habitat, coyotes, are forced to adapt to new surroundings, looking for food sources in areas they previously may not have ventured into. It is during these late summer months that youngsters disperse, becoming more active, and eventually, finding themselves in close proximity to humans, according to Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority.
Hunter College professor of biology, Chris Nagy, says that understanding the habits of these creatures is vital, and that they often hunt within 2 miles of their dens, with their territory ranging from 5 to 10 square miles. This is useful information when trying to understand and predict their movements, per a National Geographic article.
