Watch a Fearless Coyote Cliff-Jump And Then Calmly Swim Away

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: August 31, 2023
© Frank Fichtmueller/Shutterstock.com
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Key Points:
  • Coyotes are impressive climbers, able to climb fences as high as 14 feet! They utilize their front feet to climb over when they reach a height of about six feet. They can jump fences lower than that.
  • The continental population of coyotes in the US is expanding in spite of their tense relationship with humans. They have adapted to living with humans in cities due to their “wily” smarts. 
  • The coyote in this video bravely plunges from a cliff into water, then tries unsuccessfully to scale the cliff. Watch to see the outcome!

A Youtube video with over one million views shows viewers why it’s important to keep your distance from wild animals. A group of people on a boat can be heard laughing and having a good time when they witness something unbelievable.

As the boat passes by a steep rock wall, they witness something splash into the water from great heights. When the visitors get closer they can see it’s a coyote that jumped into the water. 

Although the people laugh and are impressed the animal is okay, you can visibly see that the animal is scared. After jumping or falling from such a height, the critter then feels cornered by how close the boat gets to the cliff. 

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The coyote attempts to scale the rocky wall but is struggling to get a footing. In a normal setting, which flat earth under its feet, a coyote is actually an impressive climber. According to research, coyotes can climb fences as high as 14 feet! In order to lift themselves over once they reach the top, they must use their powerful feet. 

coyote howling from on top of a rock
Climate change has caused some coyotes to interbreed.

©JayPierstorff/Shutterstock.com

Studies show that they begin to utilize their front feet to climb over when they reach a height of about six feet. Fences that are lower than this are quite susceptible to coyotes just jumping over them without ever hitting them.

A Cornered Coyote

Do Coyotes Hunt in Packs
Coyotes tend to avoid humans although they may attack on rare occasions

©iStock.com/GatorDawg

The thing about this situation in the video is that the animal isn’t scaling a fence. There isn’t another side for him to jump to, but rather he’s stuck trying to find his way while humans in a large, noisy boat get closer.

Coyotes, who humans refer to as “wily,” are perceptive and adaptable animals. Coyotes have adapted to living with humans in cities and have expanded throughout North America thanks to these characteristics. 

The continental coyote numbers are still expanding despite having a sometimes tense relationship with people. Coyotes typically stay away from humans, although rarely they’ll attack. These animals occasionally become more aggressive toward people because they have developed an association between humans and food in urban settings.

A viewer commented on the footage of the coyote on the cliff and said, “As much as some creatures that roam the earth are seen in a bad light, they are all just trying to survive. Give the poor animal a break guys. They have as much right to breathe as you and I.”

They usually hunt by themselves or in couples, except when they’re teaming up to kill a larger animal. Based on the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web, packs of coyotes can lure deer toward a camouflaged member of the pack or pursue their prey until it weakens.  

Coyotes are capable of moving at up to 40 miles per hour. This makes it much harder for prey to run away. Thankfully, the one in this video eventually swims away to safety.  

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Watch the coyote fall from the cliff into the water

Another Amazing Animal Video You May Enjoy

Watch as a Mako shark leaps out of the water to eat a sailfish! The video begins with an interview of a fisherman who explains the events. Then, the video cuts to footage of the Mako shark breaching the water to catch the sailfish, which is hooked by the fisherman. Apparently, the shark is determined and tries to steal the fresh catch multiple times.


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About the Author

When she's not busy playing with her several guinea pigs or her cat Finlay Kirstin is writing articles to help other pet owners. She's also a REALTOR® in the Twin Cities and is passionate about social justice. There's nothing that beats a rainy day with a warm cup of tea and Frank Sinatra on vinyl for this millennial.

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