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Wily coyotes

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about coyotes.  Yes, those lanky, howling members of the wolf family.  The name comes from the Aztec for “trickster.”  Coyotes are being spotted in all of Florida’s 67 counties, including ours.  Not content with what’s in trash cans, coyotes go after calves on farms and domestic cats and small dogs in residential neighborhoods.  They have even crossed over the Indian River Lagoon on bridges and raided sea turtle nests for eggs.  They hunt for food between dusk and dawn.  Keep your cat indoors.  Walk your small dog on a leash.  Shy when alone, coyotes can be aggressive in packs.  You know Wile E. Coyote from the Roadrunner cartoons?  He never catches the bird that goes beep-beep.  But in fact, coyotes really ARE wily.  I’m Paul Janensch.