Can Coyotes Climb Trees?

Quick Take

• Coyotes aren't built like cats, yet there's one specific situation where they'll scale a tree anyway. The reason might surprise you. See when coyotes climb →
• Your fence height might be giving you a false sense of security. Coyotes can clear more than most homeowners assume. Check their jumping height →
• The one yard feature that silently invites coyotes in is probably something you'd never think to remove.
• When a coyote won't leave your yard, most people's instinct is exactly wrong. There's a counterintuitive move that actually works. Secure your yard →

The coyote (Canis latrans) is a highly adaptable canine native to the Americas. It belongs to a single species, which is further divided into approximately 19 recognized subspecies. Its distribution spans the entirety of North America, stretching from Alaska and Canada down through the United States and Mexico into Central America. Coyotes are generally elusive, cautious, and highly fearful of humans, who present a major threat. Depending on their location, coyotes face danger from a variety of predators, from gray wolves and cougars to grizzly bears and alligators. So, could a coyote climb a tree to avoid predation? Continue reading to discover whether or not coyotes can climb trees, how high they can jump, and how to keep them out of your yard.

Can Coyotes Climb Trees?

Coyotes are agile and can scale fences or sloped structures up to eight feet high, and may scramble up low, angled tree limbs, but they are not true tree climbers and rarely get more than a few feet off the ground in trees.

Coyotes hunt a variety of animals, and most of their prey is found on the ground, including small mammals like rabbits and rodents, insects, fish, small amphibians and reptiles, and birds. They may also scavenge from larger animals such as deer. They also occasionally eat vegetables, fruit, and grass.

However, with the proper motivation, coyotes will climb trees. Coyotes have been known to climb trees when they’re very hungry and their prey begins to climb, or if they’re attempting to evade a predator.

Can Coyotes Climb Fences?

Coyotes can climb fences, but again, they’d need motivation. If you have small dogs or prey animals like chickens in your backyard, make sure your yard is well-secured to prevent coyotes from getting in. Do not leave dogs, especially small ones, outside unattended, even if you have not seen coyotes in the area.

How High Can Coyotes Jump?

Coyotes can jump up to six feet high and may be able to scramble over fences as high as eight feet if they have a running start or footholds. If you’re trying to keep coyotes out of your yard, it’s important to have an eight-foot-high or higher fence. Consider adding coyote rollers, which are horizontal cylinders mounted along the top of a fence. The rollers spin freely when an animal tries to scale the top, denying them the traction or grip needed to pull themselves over. This safely drops the animal back to the ground and is an effective way to keep coyotes out.

Removing temptation is also a good idea. Don’t leave out food, especially meat. Supervise potential prey animals such as small dogs, cats, and rabbits when they are outdoors.

If a coyote gets in your yard, you’ll need to scare them away. This might also stop them from wanting to come back in the future.

Make yourself large, intimidating, and loud. Wave your hands in the air and shout, but make sure not to get close to the coyote. Remember that fear can instigate both flight and fight.

Walking toward the coyote can also help as long as you stay at a safe distance.

You can also invest in the following deterrents for when coyotes are in the yard:

• Whistle
• Air horn
• Any other loud noisemakers
• Squirt gun
• Garden hose

If a coyote approaches your dog or another pet, especially when they are on a leash or near you, using pepper spray or tossing objects in the coyote’s direction can help scare it away. Be careful not to hit or injure the coyote.

To keep coyotes out of your yard preemptively:

• Remove temptations. Don’t leave food out in the open. Keep your garbage secured with a tight lid. If you have small prey animals like guinea pigs or rabbits, keep them indoors only.
• Invest in tall, unscalable fencing. Remember that coyotes can jump over eight feet high. Your fence should also be climb-proof by using something like a coyote roller.
• Install lighting. Automatic lighting can scare away coyotes who wander onto your property at night.