How much of a problem do Americans have with coyotes and rattlesnakes?
Posted by ArtisticArgument9625@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 727 comments
Have you Americans encountered any problems with these two animals?
Guardian-Boy@reddit
I lived in central California for five years and now live in Colorado; honestly, they're not really problems unless you do something stupid. Rattlers will warn you and as long as you move away from them slowly, they will leave you alone. Coyotes are more of a nuisance than a problem; they got no problem attacking pets, but they usually don't wanna get involved with humans unless it's a small child, and even then it's fairly rare. In California we could actually hunt coyotes without a limit because they would run around neighborhoods, get into garbage, attack pets, scare kids, etc.
Actually had a rattler living in my backyard in California, I named him Bitey (honestly that's my go-to name for anything with fangs). He kept to himself near our avocado tree, and wouldn't rattle unless I got too close to it with the lawnmower. But he took care of our gopher problem after a few months.
PoxyMusic@reddit
If they take care of gophers, then I’m all for them.
Guardian-Boy@reddit
My only beef was how long it took lol. He only picked them off once a week (that's about as long as it takes for them to digest).
Funny thing is, he eventually left after he took care of all of them, but briefly came back not long before we moved out.
goobernawt@reddit
Makes sense, really. He ate the food and then went looking for more food!
medicmongo@reddit
I learned that the best way to take care of gophers was with lots of dynamite on a golf course.
Significant_Shoe_17@reddit
Same, and I hate snakes. But I also don't want to break an ankle on a gopher hole
EagleCatchingFish@reddit
My version of Bitey is the spider who set up shop in a corner of the bathroom. He kept the flies down.
medicmongo@reddit
Yotes are no-limit in PA, too. The state considers them a nuisance animal.
brutal4455@reddit
"Coyotes are more of a nuisance than a problem"
Colorado's ranching community would beg to differ. I have a friend that hunts 'yotes for probably 100 or more Ranchers in Elbert County alone. They will take calves, especially newborns, and other livestock.
Rattlers are also trouble for cattle ranchers and have a (kill on sight) bounty on their heads.
I've personally ended both breeds.
Expensive-Committee@reddit
New Mexico coming here to agree with your sentiments, though I’m thoroughly impressed that you were cool with homeboy in your yard. I have dogs and cats and would be way too terrified to coexist with Mr. Bitey!
Key-Possibility-5200@reddit
NM here to disagree slightly. I’ve had two close encounters with rattlesnakes that did not warn me. One struck at me when I walked past a storage unit in a carport, later we realized she was guarding eggs. The other I think was sleeping when my kid literally stepped on it. It rattled once his foot was already on it. They don’t always warn you, both times those snakes were less than ten feet from the house.
Guardian-Boy@reddit
We had a cat, but she was indoor only. My neighbor on the other hand had two dogs, and I know for a fact they fucked with him a couple times; one of them got a dry bite.
EonJaw@reddit
Rule I learned when I was a kid - if you are out hiking and come to a big log, kick it and hold back for a sec to listen before jumping over.
Loud_Impression_710@reddit
We live on a lake Oklahoma and have a coyote that comes by just to say hi. No rattlesnakes for us.
WanderingLost33@reddit
In Michigan, definitely saw my share of both, especially up north although it's more wolves than coyotes.
Walked up on a puma pair once in Oregon and a couple rattlers.
Definitely saw a scorpion or two in Texas.
MomRaccoon@reddit
Rattlesnakes are seen near where I live in western NY state, but I've never seen one myself. Coyotes used to be rare but not any more. I do love listening to them at night while we are sitting around the firepit. It gets rather intense zometimes! I know the sheep farmers have trouble with them steaIing lambs.
North_Artichoke_6721@reddit
I am in the northeast. We don’t have poisonous snakes in my area but we have a lot of coyotes and foxes.
They keep the rodent population under control. You cannot leave small pets outside overnight, but they are very shy and won’t come near humans very often. (Unless they are rabid, but fortunately that is fairly rare.)
Jamie7003@reddit
I live in the north. New York State at the northern edge of the Adirondacks. We don’t have any venomous snakes, so that’s pretty cool. We have coyotes though. I have never had animals other than pets, so they’ve never bothered me, but I hear they can be destructive. We collect road killed deer to use as bait to hunt coyotes. It’s super fun, and gave me a reason to put an IR optic on my AR!
Sauntering_Rambler@reddit
Flagstaff AZ here. Deep in the woods. I see & hear coyotes on a daily basis. They get very close since we have a pond with ducks & geese so they like to try to snatch them from time to time. Also our chickens but we keep them secured. I’ll be walking my dog & we’ll run into them but they don’t approach & keep their distance. They are scared little mangy mutts who want nothing to do with people. Almost nightly we can hear them howling, sometimes literally hundreds of them. The sound of them yapping I find soothing actually. Grew up in southern AZ so rattlers & coyotes were very frequent. Had many snake encounters but like others said they let you know you’re close.
bones_bones1@reddit
I live with both species. They’re not really a problem. Rattlesnakes bite mostly when you step on them. Watch where you’re going. Coyotes will take small animals. Close up your chickens at night.
Fleetdancer@reddit
You can't leave small dogs or cats outside where I currently live or you're just feeding the coyotes. My ex tried to fight some to save his cat, didn't work and he ended up needing rabies shots.
Capital-Meringue-164@reddit
Yeah a neighbor has been looking for their cat - in a suburb of Denver area. Cat was last seen@ 6 AM on April 15. First off, dawn and dusk are prime hunting times. Secondly, it’s been so long, it’s likely coyotes. I lost a cat and all I found was a clump of his fur… we had mountain lions in that old neighborhood too.
TigerB65@reddit
I live in a suburban area in Wisconsin, and coyotes will take unsupervised small pets here too.
Aggravating_Bell_426@reddit
Coyotes are everywhere these days - they've been spotted in NYC!
Corn-fed41@reddit
We used to loose two or three calves and haf a dozen to a dozen goats a year to coyotes and feral dogs til I got LGDs. Haven't lost an animal to predation in 24 years now.
jorwyn@reddit
I lost sheep a lot. A neighbor loaned me a donkey until I could get and train a dog. That donkey was really effective. I suddenly understood why a pig farm just seemed to randomly own a few donkeys. They're very loud and love to kick coyote.
thattogoguy@reddit
They're very useful for rattlesnakes too.
Corn-fed41@reddit
I put mules out when we're calving to suppliment the security the dogs give.
jorwyn@reddit
My great grandma had a mule to protect her geese, but I feel like that ended up the other way around. Those geese were fierce.
Corn-fed41@reddit
Geese are nothing to mess with.
jorwyn@reddit
She used to use them to keep me out of trouble. It worked quite well. Those geese knew I wasn't allowed past the fence or gate, in the old shed that was falling down, in the shed with her stored honey, or anywhere near the cistern. If I tried, I was driven onto the porch by bites to my legs and butt, and they'd set up a racket that would bring her out to scold me.
The only birds I've met since that I have that much caution and respect for are the wild turkeys in my neighborhood. They're generally okay if you don't corner them, but during mating season, the toms will tear you up just because you moved within 20 feet of them. They have been known to attack cars for the same reason. Like quails, they know how to fly, but they generally won't. They'll run - and maybe that's at you, not away. Way more pet dogs get injured by turkeys here than coyote.
goobernawt@reddit
I worked at a spot for a while that was by a nice wooded area, suburban nature. One of the younger guys there got himself a shiny black Audi A4, and he'd park it away from everyone else to avoid parking lot dings. One day, he looks out the windows towards the lot and starts yelling, then goes hustling outside. A big ole tom must have caught a glimpse of his reflection in the side of that shiny Audi and took exception. It was doing all it could to beat the crap out of the turkey on the side of that car 🤣 No serious damage, but he had to buff out quite a few scratches.
Corn-fed41@reddit
I believe that.
We dont have a ton of wild Turkeys where I live. But I have heard of them getting after dogs and people. Ive never personally had an issue with them though.
jorwyn@reddit
I've not had issues because I give them a wide berth and a lot of patience when they cross the road. I've seen one tom snap off a hood ornament and scratch the hell out of a car when the driver honked make him move. I thought it was pretty funny. I've also seen a cyclist get attacked to the point I had to grab a rake and run out and get them off her. She made the mistake of trying to ride down the street when the toms were showing off for the females in a yard right next to the curb. I've also seen a husky that lost one eye and had over 200 stitches because it cornered two against a fence. My huskies have been trained to run to the door and make noise for me to come get them if a turkey gets in the fence. They'd really like to chase, but they want the salmon jerky I give them for doing the right thing more.
Corn-fed41@reddit
I didn't even know Washington had that many turkeys. But Ive never looked into it either.
It does make sense. Testosterone fueled anger can make any animal get after someone.
jorwyn@reddit
They were brought in several times to try to create a population that could be hunted. They aren't native here. In the 1960s, it finally worked, and they really started thriving in the last 5 or so years. They're mostly East of the Cascades, and they've started to become a real problem. Just since 2019, I've seen my neighborhood flock go from 7-8 turkeys to almost 30. I think they like the long stretches of heat we get in the Summer now, but also our growing season has gotten longer. There's more for them to eat. They also roost in tall trees at night, and we have a lot of those. Development around Spokane has pushed their predators further out. We used to see a lot of coyote in the neighborhood, but now there are a lot less since housing developments started popping up in the farmlands just North of us - between us and the mountains.
The biggest problem with them being here isn't that they can be aggressive. Stay back, and you'll be fine, just like with any other wild animal. It's that they also eat small animals they can catch, so the snakes and frogs here have much lower populations leading to an increase in insects - like mosquitoes - and then to an increase in pesticides. Those then get in the river. It's a huge problem. Humans should not be introducing non native species. It's never gone well.
Travelsat150@reddit
Don’t they attack the dogs?
Corn-fed41@reddit
The coyotes? Generally no. My LGDs weigh between 150 and 220 pounds. Ive got 2 Anatolians and a Caucasian Shepherd. So even when they do try, it doesnt work out well for them. These are dogs that were bred to ward off wolves and bears in Turkey. Anatolian Shepherds have a bite force that's nearly the same as any African lion.
Coyotes, like most predators are risk avoidant, for the most part. They want to get food the easiest way possible. They're not going to risk their life for a meal. Yeah there are expectations to every rule. So it's not unheard of. But generally speaking. Coyotes learn their boundaries quick. Sometimes a neighboring property owner will cull coyotes in the area. Then a new pack will move in and have to learn their boundaries again.
In some cases large packs of coyotes have challenged one or two guardian dogs. But it doesnt work out well for them. YouTube Casper the Great Pyrenees. He took on 11 coyotes. Killed 8 of them.
Feral dogs however are more likely to take risks for a meal.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
The dog has training and selected gene expressions to work against that threat.
smelyal8r@reddit
Hell yeah love a working dog
Corn-fed41@reddit
They're worth their weight in gold.
dweaver987@reddit
What is LGD?
Corn-fed41@reddit
Livestock guardian dog.
THELEGENDARYZWARRIOR@reddit
Respectfully, why not shoot the coyote? Didn’t have a pistol close enough?
Meatpuppy@reddit
Even if you're allowed to have a firearm you are legally responsible for every round you shoot. You have to be 100% certain what's behind what you're shooting at.
jorwyn@reddit
It's hard to shoot them. 1) you might hit an animal you care about. 2) they mostly show up at night or at dusk when they're hard to see. 3) if this was inside city limits, it is probably illegal to discharge a firearm.
badtux99@reddit
Can’t shoot a firearm within 300 yards of a house in many states.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
Does this include your own house?
mmlickme@reddit
Same growing up in rural Texas I lost a cat to coyotes and my cousins in suburban Houston did too
Chimney-Imp@reddit
Neighbor lost his dog to coyotes. His back porch looked like his dog swallowed dynamite.
HazelEBaumgartner@reddit
Was the dog's name Eddie and was he also trying to learn how to play guitar?
Eddie ate dynamite. Good bye, Eddie!
theduke9400@reddit
You didn't need to add the bottom line. The string slingers know what's up.
foofie_fightie@reddit
That's how i memorized them too lol
redditsuckspokey1@reddit
Was he also known as Cousin Eddie?
Robbylution@reddit
How big of a dog?
Picklesadog@reddit
Just big enough to swallow the dynamite.
MihalysRevenge@reddit
Yeo growing up at the very edge of Albuquerque (behind my house was wide open desert) we used to have to be careful with pets because coyotes are close by and you can hear them nightly
selchie0mer@reddit
I live in a decent size city in San Diego county. Just last week I saw a coyote in my backyard at 2:30 in the afternoon. On the neighborhood gossip app there are lost pets to coyotes every week. Mostly cats. Pretty much a cat is just dinner if you have it outside. And last summer I saw a rattlesnake sunning on the side of the road that must have been the size of my arm. I doubled back to get a pic of it but it was gone.
jorwyn@reddit
Coyote don't even eat the cats very often. They're just killing them because they're competition, and to hone hunting skills, teach young to attack, and honestly, they do just play with them in a way they don't with prey they tend to eat.
They roamed all over Phoenix, and it's not that uncommon to see them in downturn Spokane. Most mistake them for stray dogs, but if you actually look, sometimes they're coyote. Most dogs never figure out how to climb chain link fences. Coyote don't even seem to find them challenging. We put in a metal fence with vertical bars that gives them no purchase and put in anti-dig bars under it. That was also to keep our huskies in, though.
Indica_Rage@reddit
lost a dog to coyotes in rural Washington
1Negative_Person@reddit
You shouldn’t be leaving cats outdoors in the first place.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
Or, counter - you shouldn't be bringing cats indoors in the first place. Let them stay in the barn where they were born. Coyotes will never get to them on protected home turf.
1Negative_Person@reddit
I’m not saying keep cats inside for their own sake; I hope every outdoor cat is eaten by a coyote. I’m saying keep them inside because they’re an ecologically devastating invasive species in the Americas and every outdoor and feral cat should be destroyed. If you want a pet cat, keep it inside.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
True, some people have cats as pets. My bad. Pets should always be kept inside.
Fleetdancer@reddit
That's what I told him, but he's my ex, and they weren't my cats.
grey_canvas_@reddit
Coyotes and hawks have eaten all the kittens our outdoor mama cat has birthed, she's had like 6 litters and seriously none have lasted more than a year.
jorwyn@reddit
My old place used to be a magnet for barn cats because I fed them during lean months and at least once a month to get dewormer to them. I also trapped and neutered or spayed them, but pregnant cats kept showing up until the colony reached a certain size. The barn owl (not that species, but he roosted in there) usually got a few kittens, so the mothers would try to move them to safely somewhere else, and the bald eagles would get them. I caught and rehomed as many kittens as I could, but I eventually ran out of people willing to take them and just had to let it happen.
I also had to find homes for a lot of pet cats and dogs people just dumped out there. I was already not a big fan of humanity, and that definitely made it worse. I even had someone leave a dog tied to my porch, once. Thank goodness a neighbor spotted it, because I was gone for two weeks.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
Y'al don't have a barn?
McGeeze@reddit
Get her spayed?
ForgetTheRuralJuror@reddit
But then who would feed the coyotes
McGeeze@reddit
😿
combabulated@reddit
TNR that poor cat
PunkRockDude@reddit
I asked the animal control guys in my city once and they said the nearly 100% of the attacks attributed to Coyotes in my area are actually from birds of prey. I’m in a suburban area with lots of coyotes but they don’t attack people or pets (there has never been a reported attack on people). I could imagine that perhaps in different setting la perhaps they behave differently so not saying you are wrong about where you live. We probably have more bob cats though and they mostly leave people alone too but they are scarier than the coyotes.
casapantalones@reddit
Yes, same in my neighborhood, pretty centrally located in a major city.
Too wet here for rattlesnakes though
Well_Spoken_Mute@reddit
Not just coyotes. My neighbors got a puppy, and then a hawk got a meal.
B_teambjj@reddit
Kansas- 20 of them of them just making noises all night sounds like hundreds. And as of this week about 10 min from us people are spitting black bears.
Flossthief@reddit
I've seen men run outside entirely nude with a gun to protect their dog from coyotes
I've heard of a lot of really unfriendly ways to handle coyotes(blood soaked sponges so they get intestinal blockage and die)
I've luckily only ever encountered baby rattlers but my wife had a run in or two with the adults
pudding7@reddit
Same here. And I'm in a suburb of Los Angeles.
knittinghobbit@reddit
I had to bang on our fence to scare a coyote away. It had backed my cat up against a tree and they were fighting. I knew it was going to win eventually if I didn’t startle it so my cat could climb. The coyote was right there in my neighbor’s back yard.
Rattlesnakes are around, too, but I haven’t had any in my yard.
KarmaticFox@reddit
They can be a problem.
I almost got bit by a rattlesnake as a teenager when I was in living in Oklahoma for a couple of years. MF came out of a bush and I almost stepped on it. Thank God I didn't.
Out here in NY, we get coyotes all the time. Even in the city areas, you may hear about it. On my Ring App someone posted a video of a coyote wandering down the street. Another user made a post asking if anyone else had heard any distressing animal noises. Everyone who answered the post suspects a coyote got ahold of someone's pet.
ContributionDapper84@reddit
If you have chickens or outdoor pets, coyotes will be a problem. Rattlesnakes just want to be left alone but may breed like mad if you have a shed they can get under.
Ace_of_Sevens@reddit
A coyote liked my friend's cat a few years ago. There are no rattlesnakes in my area. They are way more geographically constrained that coyotes.
MsPooka@reddit
There may be more coyotes but there are still tons of rattlesnakes. There are 4 types of rattlesnakes in the US and they cover about 75% of the country. Most of them just want to eat rodents and leave you alone.
Serious-Meringue3607@reddit
There are 13 species of rattlesnake in my state alone, there's way more than 4 species in the US.
You're right about the "just want to eat rodents and leave you alone" part though
zwatt09@reddit
Did he drop a giant anvil on it?
N_Huq@reddit
Where did all the anvils go?
Dazzling-Climate-318@reddit
None of you stay away from them. And yes, I’ve seen them. The rattlesnake in a Cemetery I was playing in as a child, the coyote walking down the sidewalk across the street from my house last year.
sheilahulud@reddit
I live in Florida and we have both. I feel coyotes are a bigger issue than rattlesnakes as they eat pets. Pygmy rattlers are a nuisance. People and pets step on them.
Scotchbonnet2020@reddit
Not nearly as much as with corrupt politicians and crony capitalism.
despitethenora@reddit
It depends on where you live. As a kid in a rural Appalachian setting, we lost a pet or two to coyotes and heard them most summer nights, but I never saw a rattlesnake. As an adult in a city, I see neither.
Fun-Dragonfly-4166@reddit
I also live in a big city. I dont see any rattle snakes but we have coyotes.
I wish we had more coyotes and fewer rats. Coyotes eat rats right?
christine-bitg@reddit
Other species will ear rats too. I've seen a small bobcat carrying one here in a large city near the Gulf of Mexico. It was in a large park, with plenty of wilderness type area for it to live in.
Fun-Dragonfly-4166@reddit
I am unfamiliar with the Gulf of Mexico. You mean the Gulf of America.
A large rat moved into my city. I blame the electoral college - not coyotes or bobcats or even rattle snakes.
Up2nogud13@reddit
They do, but cats are the best at it. Do y'all have a TNR program in place. Spayed/neutered "community cats" make for good pest control.
Fun-Dragonfly-4166@reddit
No we do not. I remember recently walking through the park. I saw someone walking their cat on a leash. A few minutes later i passed by a colony of rats.
juanzy@reddit
Yah, Boston has coyotes, pretty damn big ones at that.
thinair01@reddit
The Boston coyotes are wild. I’ve seen them walking around Jamaica Plain and Brighton and they are fearless. I welcome them since they help curb our massive rat population!
Educational-Ad-385@reddit
I'm in Southern CA. We had fruit rats in our orange tree. I haven't seen any in years. I thought perhaps feral cats took care of them. Now we have coyotes and the feral cats have disappeared.
H_E_Pennypacker@reddit
Now you just need something bigger to eat the coyotes
Up2nogud13@reddit
So native species are getting rid of the invasive one? That's a good thing.
Up2nogud13@reddit
They do, but cats are the best at it. Do y'all have a TNR program in place. Spayed/neutered "community cats" make for good pest control.
bananapanqueques@reddit
We get coyotes in Seattle proper and it just baffles my mind. Like outright stalking a guy in a commercial district.
goobernawt@reddit
They're around the Minneapolis/St Paul area quite a bit as well. From what I recall, Seattle is a bit like our area in that there's lots of green space in the city. Combine that with the fact that yotes are pretty adept at adapting to life alongside humans, and seeing them in the city ain't that surprising.
livia-did-it@reddit
I've seen more coyotes in Vancouver, BC than I ever saw growing up in Texas!
Now, the coyotes in Texas were more of a problem. They'd definitely eat your small pets. We just didn't see them. I'd guess that my hometown was more spread out and had more fields and farmland, so the coyotes could hide better.
christine-bitg@reddit
That's the truth. They're opportunistic, and since they have other opportunities, they don't have the motivation to interact with adult sized humans.
Goodgaimanomens@reddit
I watched something about coywolves years ago, and there was a whole portion devoted to the ones in NYC. Dens on medians, tagged animals tracked cutting through hotel kitchens, the works. It's crazy how much people just don't notice.
strangeicare@reddit
"Coywolves" are just eastern coyotes! Yes they seem to have some wolf dna.
PraxicalExperience@reddit
I mean, if you're really not familiar with coyotes, a coyote is just another dog.
ImissBagels@reddit
My cousin from the city saw a deer once and thought it was a dog with a stick stuck to it's head... So yeah I assume coyote she ever would've seen would've also just been a dog to her.
Uhhh_what555476384@reddit
With oversized ears.
ryguymcsly@reddit
Coyotes and wild turkeys in cities all across the SF Bay Area. The turkeys are more dangerous.
jorwyn@reddit
Absolutely the same here in Spokane. The coyote avoid conflict with people. The turkeys seem to think it's their mission.
combabulated@reddit
Alis the turkeys aren’t native.
UnderaZiaSun@reddit
I was mountain biking in the East Bay this morning and at one point on the trail it looked like a turkey exploded. Turkey feathers everywhere. Pretty sure a coyote got a turkey there.
keithrc@reddit
It seems like those two problems would solve themselves.
ryguymcsly@reddit
You clearly haven't dealt with a pissed off Turkey
Champsterdam@reddit
There are hundreds of coyotes in the heart of Chicago as well. Never see them though, if you do you know they’re probably stressed and sick and someone should be called.
natattack15@reddit
We definitely have coyotes in the city here in Pittsburgh. Deer just wandering around the streets too. Sometimes bear sightings. That's what you get when you build a city in the smack middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest.
CalamityClambake@reddit
Dude, for real. During the pandemic when there was no traffic it was absolutely wild. One morning I was drinking coffee on my porch and there's just a coyote with a big rat in its mouth just walking down a city street like it owned the place.
bananapanqueques@reddit
I swear 40% of NextDoor was just folks posting photos of coyotes-- at the dog park, in their yards, on fence posts, walking down the street.
SirRatcha@reddit
Well yes to coyotes in Seattle, but no self-respecting coyote stalks humans. Maybe watch them warily but coyotes know better than to take on anything bigger than a house cat.
bananapanqueques@reddit
They'll stalk humans walking their dogs. I helped clear a few away from my neighbor, who was in the parking lot, yelling for help and holding her pug.
McGeeze@reddit
In Portland they ride the train
https://youtu.be/UW5Or7bIVJk?si=ADL1sXSomXDNCgSD
CombinationRough8699@reddit
Same just south of you in Portland.
Meliko069@reddit
Back then when i lived in bothell and worked in Seattle nights i’ve seen so many. Now i’m in maple valley, they attacked a kid at the Golfcourse in renton and tried to drag jt few months ago and here in the city park they attacked a labrador in daylight. I often now see them on my camera early mornings in a pack of 6 at a time when most people let their dogs out in the backyard before they go to work
MrsPedecaris@reddit
I was going to say the same thing. Coyotes are everywhere in Seattle. No rattlesnakes, though.
despitethenora@reddit
To be fair, I did see one at the mall a few years ago, but I assumed he had things to buy.
arcticmischief@reddit
I assume he was headed into a store labeled “Acme”?
chirop1@reddit
Where else is he gonna get a giant anvil and a pack of dynamite in one stop?
Grizzly_Berry@reddit
They love a good ssssssale.
Boeing367-80@reddit
I was hiking in NYS within 100 miles of NYC, came around a boulder and there was a rattler. They're not common in that part of the country, but do exist.
But I grew up in a similar location and never saw them.
Coyotes are supposed to be almost everywhere. Highly adaptable and apparently they're hybrids - coyote/dog/wolf.
FearTheAmish@reddit
They are all over Columbus when I used to live there. Almost hit one on 270 at 3am one time. They are just quiet in the city.
Ohiostatehack@reddit
We have them in Columbus. They’re pretty shy about showing up for humans but if you have a ring camera they are definitely around the cities too.
HealthySchedule2641@reddit
I would bet you saw plenty of copperhead snakes in Appalachia, though.
despitethenora@reddit
Occasionally! Still not "often" by any measure, tbh. The only snakes we constantly encountered were ratsnakes.
Up2nogud13@reddit
And that's why you didn't such much of the others. Ratsnakes and king snakes will keep other species in check.
medicmongo@reddit
Huh. I’ve never seen a ratsnake in the wild. Seen a bunch of watersnakes and I almost stepped on a hognose or two.
arkstfan@reddit
In the Ozarks I’ve seen one rattlesnake my entire life and more copperheads and water moccasins than I want to think about.
Occasionally hear coyotes and very rarely see them
himtnboy@reddit
I've seen coyotes in down town Denver and LA.
round_a_squared@reddit
Yeah in my state there's one species of venomous snake and they're on the threatened species list. Coyotes used to be unheard of but have been spreading all over in the past few decades.
rubberguru@reddit
Here in nc, I’ve lost 4 cats to coyotes. Several chickens. I see the droppings on our trail frequently. I’ve only actually seen them once here, but surprised a couple when I lived Georgia. Hear them a lot
MarkTheDuckHunter@reddit
Coyotes, yes. They have killed multiple pets in my areas. Rattlesnakes, no.
Gunther482@reddit
Coyotes I see all the time. Timber Rattlesnakes are around in river bottoms here but I have never seen one.
bonzai113@reddit
i don't have any rattlesnake problems. I do however have trouble with coyotes. They occasionally try to get into my chickens and rabbits. Two years ago they wiped out my chickens. Any time they get near my animals or my neighbors livestock, I drop them with a hunting rifle.
scruffye@reddit
Shout out to the coyotes living in Chicago. May you devour as many rats as you can.
tacogardener@reddit
I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and you could hear them howling every night in their groups.
snmnky9490@reddit
I just saw one wandering the side streets near Lincoln square at 2am a few days ago!
Cyno01@reddit
There’s some huuuge ones living by the Milwaukee harbor.
getyouryayasoutahere@reddit
In my neck of the woods I’ve only seen foxes and garter snakes, thank God!
No-You5550@reddit
Where I live I have seen more water moccasin also called cotton mouth. I have seen rattlesnake too. My cousin got bit by a rattlesnake and it was touch and go for a while. He learned to wear boots when he went outside after that.
IntentionAromatic523@reddit
Here, outside of Philadelphia, PA, I have encountered coyotes, wild and insane turkeys crossing a four lane street and the occasional black bear on SEPTA tracks and playing in suburban reservoirs.
Hunts5555@reddit
If I had a serious problem with one of either, which I never have and never will, I’d shoot the son of a bitch with the revolver I carry in my pocket.
DetroitsGoingToWin@reddit
I believe there are two known deaths in North America by coyotes. It’s a little scary because they kill large deer, right behind my home along the train tracks but they don’t really mess with humans.
No_Entertainment1931@reddit
Not much. Both animals are awesome.
It’s the bears that are ruining the party
DevilsPlaything42@reddit
I've never seen a coyote up close. I've seen rattlers in the woods but that was 30 years ago.
seifd@reddit
Same here, but I saw my rattlesnake in New Mexico.
RutCry@reddit
I camp and hunt along the Pearl in central Mississippi. Coyotes are very common and I’ll hear distinct packs howling at night while I go to sleep.
hermitzen@reddit
No problems. I've never seen a rattlesnake in the wild. Coyotes come by our house on occasion and I only know because we've caught them on the security camera. I've never seen one alive with my own eyes. Lots of dead ones on the side of the road. But bears are another story.
Knit_pixelbyte@reddit
Live in suburbia close to major city in Northeast. We have coyotes as more wildlife are displaced by building up of the area. Farms are turning into small foot print housing, etc. We also hike a lot, and you have to be aware of rattlesnakes in certain areas, like natural or wooded areas. There are a 32 varieties of American rattlesnakes, so different terrains in different areas. Just stay on the path and be aware of what snakes do, like sun them selves on rocks when it's cooler out in our area with mountains. They aren't in my backyard though. The great thing about rattlesnakes is they give warning if you pay attention.
glowing-fishSCL@reddit
According to this document:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5393596.pdf
The US has 8000 Rattlesnake bites, with 10-15 deaths, per year.
So statistically speaking, pretty small.
CombinationRough8699@reddit
Still that probably makes them the most dangerous wild animal in the United States. Black and grizzly bears each kill about 1-2 people a year in all of North America. While cougars have killed 28 since the mid 1800s.
Vachic09@reddit
The deadliest animals by annual fatalities is the deer, and that's mostly vehicle collisions.
SimplyPars@reddit
Allergic reactions to insect stings is probably up there as well.
Vachic09@reddit
72 people annually from bees, wasps, and hornets combined
Cyno01@reddit
Still gotta slice it up quite a bit to get down that far… invertebrates, humans, domesticated animals, direct attack…
FearTheAmish@reddit
Rattle snakes have a built in "stay the fuck away from me" rattle. Copper heads and watermoccasins are dar more likely to accidentally be stepped on and bite.
SouthernReality9610@reddit
I've been rattled at a couple of times hiking in southern CA. Mostly all you get is a glimpse of the snake leaving. Coyotes were a regular sighting and were hell on outside pets. I kind of miss their morning serenades.
RonnieVanDan@reddit
We carry guns in the western part of my state largely because of these (more so the snakes than coyotes). If you get bit, it's a long way to a hospital.
Careless-Ability-748@reddit
There's quite a few in my nearby neighborhood based on info sharing from neighbors. I haven't seen one personally yet.
Amockdfw89@reddit
Just depends where you live. I live in an urban area in North Texas and TECHNICALLY rattlesnakes live here but I have never seen one around. Maybe deep in some of the state parks or nature reserves. I have seen them out west in the desert and east deep in the woods.
Coyotes though are way more common where I live. Even in my urban neighborhood I sometimes see them very Kate at night. A coyote once ate my cat. I see bobcats more often though
laffydaffy24@reddit
In Texas you get both. Lots of both. But there are other venomous snake I see with far, far more frequency than rattlers.
MeepleMerson@reddit
I live in the northeast and rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback) are exceptionally rare. I’ve never seen one nor met anyone who has outside a zoo.
We have coyotes, though. They seem to travel along the strip of land when where power lines run through town. They stray into the neighborhoods periodically, but seem mostly content with whatever they catch along the power lines (lots of wildlife there; I think they go mostly for turkeys sine there are so many). Sadly, though, they do sometimes go after pets. They attacked and killed my dog (a husky) after got out once. Sadly, she ran to the power lines and caught a large bird and they fought coyotes over it.
Coyotes are otherwise shy of humans.
Crazy_Fitz@reddit
Last summer late at night I was walking on a bird sanctuary, I felt eyes on me, and heard movement. I stopped, turned on my flashlight, say 2 sets of glowing eyes, looked left and saw 6 sets. A pack of coyotes, they took off
OkWelder1642@reddit
0 problem for this American. America is huge.
Congregator@reddit
Where I live, these idiots in office decided that they would rezone the area to increase the population density, and as a result they chopped down a lot of the woods to develop the housing.
What they didn’t realize is that these small patches of woods were where the wildlife live, and now our community has a coyote and rat problem. They’ve been pushed out of the woods and have now established residency in people’s yards
Watcher0011@reddit
We have both where I live. Neither are a problem. Rattlesnake bites are rare, coyotes are really only a problem for people with livestock.
freddbare@reddit
I find fawn legs in my lawn in the morning regularly. I think that they have some trade deal with my herders.
TheQuiltingEmpath@reddit
We don’t have rattlesnakes where I live (10 miles outside of DC), but there are definitely coyotes in my neighborhood. We have large lots and one of my neighbors had a den in her backyard.
Another neighbor had about 20 vultures sitting on the fence that separates their property from mine and I thought that was curious. I walked down to see what was going on and they were watching a coyote try to move an entire deer carcass. I stayed watching as it was like a National Geographic documentary. The other neighbors dog ran outside barking (it’s a good sized dog) and the coyote ran off. Then the 20 vultures along with a bunch i did not see in the trees all started feasting. I was mesmerized!
dobbydisneyfan@reddit
Heavily depends on where you live. You’d never see a rattlesnake up here. More of a southern thing. But coyotes are a concern, even in the city.
itsmyhotsauce@reddit
This is Location dependent, the USA is very large. No rattlesnakes where I live (winters too cold) but we have coyotes. I have a fenced yard so no concern for my pets but I have seen coyotes walking down our urban street on rare occasions
doodynutz@reddit
I’ve never seen a rattlesnake. I’ve seen a coyote like once and it wasn’t in my home state.
ParryLimeade@reddit
Where I grew up, we saw at least one rattlesnake a year but we also saw copperheads, water moccasins, etc. swampy coastal city. No one was ever but by them and they’re easy to kill (when they end up in the garage or yard too close to the house). Then I moved to Indiana and would see them only rarely hiking. Then I moved to Minnesota and we don’t have any venomous snakes in most of the state. Only a small corner when I don’t live. But I never heard coyotes until moving here. I hear them and see them once or twice a year where I live. I don’t have any small animals left outside so nothing to worry about.
small-gestures@reddit
Coyotes in Boston area not a “P”problem, but you have to pay attention to small kids and pets.
Possibly_Naked_Now@reddit
I've never seen either
thattogoguy@reddit
For rattlesnakes, it really depends on where you're at. You could, in theory, find them just about anywhere in the Continental US (and possibly Alaska, though I don't believe they've ever been found up there.) Canada as well obviously.
But they much prefer hotter climates (in the ballpark between 70-100° F, or 25-35° C), so you're going to be much more likely to see them in Southern and Western States (which is of course, where they're by far most often encountered.)
If you're out hiking and see one, leave it be. Especially if it rattles. If you can hear it, you're too close. They prefer to avoid humans, but can and will hold their ground when threatened. In Western States, especially during the day, they'll look for places to get out of the sun. Garages, sheds, cars parked outside, and outdoor furniture are prime real estate. My uncle lives in North Phoenix with his family and kids, and he's always taught them to check for intruders, even inside homes (though rattlesnakes tend to avoid entering because indoors are usually too chilly for their liking due to fans/AC).
At least once every couple of years, he has to call animal control for them to come get a snake out of his garage that he finds when coming or going.
Coyotes on the other hand are a nuisance. I wouldn't leave a baby or small child out unattended (like a normal person), but otherwise, they're really no threat to humans. If you get bit, it's really your own fault, and l an anti-rabies series is what you need.
They wreak havok on farm animals and domestic animals like cats and small dogs though. And if your dog is female and somewhat larger, you probably should have her spayed unless you want to potentially have coypups.
Coyotes are everywhere. They're absolute masters of hiding, and you'll find them in the most unexpected places.
gothicuhcuh@reddit
Not too many coyotes where I live. Few and far between. Nor rattlesnakes but we have water moccasins in heavily wooded areas. I live in the suburbs so still not really an issue. Now bald eagles and various hawks? Don’t let your little dog or cat or even your small child outside alone.
gothicuhcuh@reddit
Oh we see foxes quite often! Also no problems but they’re quite annoying at 11:30 at night when I’m trying to sleep and they’re just screaming at the sky lol
Effective_Fix_2633@reddit
Really depends on where you live. I've lived in 5 vastly different states and have never come across a coyote. Only once seen a snake in the the wild
HorseFeathersFur@reddit
Coyotes every day. Rattlesnakes aren’t that big a problem where I live but copperheads show up once in a while.
Unable-Salt-446@reddit
Rattlesnakes are only a problem if you are stupid…. They warn you before striking. Almost stepped on one on a trail. And all it did was shake its rattle while I backed up slow. And then it went on its way, and I went on my way
Additional-Studio-72@reddit
Been around coyotes all my life - rural growing up, urban as an adult. Watch small pets and livestock, especially poultry, but otherwise they aren’t lurking near houses waiting to attack people.
SisterTalio@reddit
They're not a problem as long as you don't leave your small pets or children outside without supervision and you're careful about where you put your hands and feet.
MrRaspberryJam1@reddit
There’s a lot more than people realize. I’ve even seen coyotes in the Bronx when I lived there. I used to live near a large park with a huge wooded area. On two separate occasions I’ve ran into coyotes crossing the road.
that-Sarah-girl@reddit
I've seen coyotes in the DC area and at Virginia Beach too. They're everywhere! But neither place has enough of them that you need to worry about your cat or small dog in the yard.
I wish DC had more of them actually. Anything that eats rats is welcome!
Throwawayycpa@reddit
I always get confused between fox and coyote. I saw one at night by railroad tracks but not sure which. Maybe a fox due to its size
Cyno01@reddit
Hard to tell color at night, but foxes are maybe half the size of coyotes. The smallest coyote will still be bigger than the biggest fox.
Uhhh_what555476384@reddit
Unless the coyote is young.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
In which case the family is in desparate straits. Young coyotes that size shouldn't be part of the hunt so you'll not tend to see them much.
Uhhh_what555476384@reddit
Foxes are long while Coyotes are like a slightly taller corgi.
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
Coyotes are usually about twice to three times the size of a corgi.
Picklesadog@reddit
Was it curious about you?
I've generally found foxes kind of want to see what you are, from a distance at least, while coyotes GTFO.
Also, there is a pretty massive size difference. Coyotes look like big lanky dogs.
DegenerateCrocodile@reddit
Coyotes are incredibly numerous and adapted to nearly every environment on the continent. If you live in the mainland US, it’s a safe bet that you live in coyote territory.
AnatidaephobiaAnon@reddit
Which is wild because it wasn't always that way. I live in Ohio and they have only been around here for about 100 years. I assumed for years that they were always here, but that wasn't true.
Uhhh_what555476384@reddit
They are very adapted to humans and we killed off all the wolves who would drive them from territory.
snickelbetches@reddit
We have them, but I haven't personally seen either growing up in rural north Texas (prairie Ecosystem).
I'd be more concerned about water moccasins and copperheads here. We had copperheads once in our garage growing up. My dad screamed like a lil girl and called my uncle from 15 minutes over to kill it.
christine-bitg@reddit
I live in the 4th largest city in the US. Including my time visiting other parts of Texas (including a variety of small towns) I've never seen a rattlesnake in the wild anywhere. Ever.
I've seen coyotes in suburban southern California, but not in Texas.
I've seen a variety of scorpions, which are some critters you don't want to mess around with. Some of them can give you a nasty sting. Fortunately I haven't had that experience myself.
Fire ants, on the other hand, are all over the d*mn place where I live. I would happily kill every one of them.
Tristinmathemusician@reddit
Somewhat. Any small animal that escapes is essentially food for the coyotes that live nearby. As for a danger to me personally, not really. Coyotes tend to stay away from people and anything too difficult to catch.
Rattlesnakes are a little more scary. They’re a lot smaller and much more camouflaged in the desert. There’s many times on a hot summers afternoon where I’ll round the corner and out of the grass I hear that heart stopping rattle. You have to be careful during the day and even more so during the evening as they’re even harder to spot. You respect them, or you get hurt. It’s really that simple. You try to avoid any tall grassy areas and you approach any holes in the ground with extreme trepidation, slowly scanning around to ensure the snake isn’t nearby. If you spot them, give them as wide a berth as is feasible and get the hell out of there.
ledasmom@reddit
I work as a vet tech in suburban Massachusetts and know several people who have had pets attacked by coyotes in their own yards. Rattlesnakes, not so much here (they live in a couple parts of the state, but our local rattlesnakes are very timid of people). I have seen a couple while hiking out west, and they skedaddled as soon as they noticed we were there.
Rightbuthumble@reddit
We keep a fence around our yard where our animals are at because of the coyotes. Our chickens only free range when we are outside; otherwise, they are in a fenced and top fenced run and their hen house is secure. They run through our property often but they don't bother us. Our nearest neighbor is about five miles down the mountain and he keeps donkeys with his cows to keep the coyotes out. Donkeys kills coyotes and even domestic dogs.
Docnevyn@reddit
Live in a Texas city but there is a creek near my house. A coyote is occasionally spotted in the trees lining the creek. I take my small dog on walks instead of putting him in the backyard until the sightings stop.
Rattlesnakes are not the poisonous snake we worry about in my area. Honestly, North Carolina was worse. Home to every kind of major poisonous snake except the cobra.
AZPeakBagger@reddit
I live in rattlesnake thick southern Arizona, plus there are ton of coyotes around here as well. Snakes want to be left alone and I've never had much issue with them. I do a ton of hiking and see snakes often. Last year I even stepped on one and all the snake did was throw a temper tantrum for a few seconds then slithered off. Coyotes are even less of an issue, just walked within 10 feet of one a few days ago in my neighborhood and all it did was stare at me.
The two critters that do give me issues out here are javelina, which look like pig wild pigs. They terrorize our neighborhood on garbage day. Have a roving pack of about 20 of them that will knock over cans or destroy any type of flower you plant in your front yard. Forget about putting out pumpkins as fall decor on your porch, the javelina consider that a delicacy. After that we have killer bees. A highly aggressive strain of bees that will attack you if you get too close to their hive. I survived an attack once, got stung 30 times as I ran as fast as I could away from them and I'm not a slow runner. Last summer the bees killed a landscaper a few miles from my house.
Lakerdog1970@reddit
They are a problem. I hate to say this, but I just kill them. I have pets and don't need to deal with animals that will try to eat my dogs or bite them when they stick their head in a bush.
I honestly view it as a sad statement on my neighbors that a fenced back yard makes a coyote think, "Yummy. Food." instead of "Omg....run for my life before I get shot."
I don't go out into the forest looking for them, but if they come near my yard they will die.
Apperman@reddit
To answer your question “yes” and “some”, but in Louisiana & E Texas the feral hogs are out of control (as if there was ever any control to be had). Not only are they destructive to property and crops, but if you get mixed up around a sounder of hogs they’ll attack you before you realize what’s happening. I’m much more wary of hogs than of yotes or snakes!
CrankGOAT@reddit
We have a few coyotes in our back yard a few times a month. I wouldn’t call it a problem. I call it living n the woods.
Novel_Willingness721@reddit
Not “problems” per se, but where I live in suburban Denver Colorado I see coyotes a lot. Just the other day on my daily walk I took a picture of one.
As for rattlesnakes, my only “encounter” with them has been a golf course near me had a roped off area on one of the fairways with a posted sign. If your ball enters that area you are prohibited from getting it back. Never seen one.
WiWook@reddit
Nearest rattlers are on the other side of the state, 2 hours away. I've never seen them but have heard them occasionally. Coyote, on the other hand, roam our neighborhood regularly. They don't even go off when they hear sirens anymore. The pack where my daughter has soccer practice goes off if a cop or ambulance goes by. I've never had an issue with them, but I have a dog, not a fashion statement.
HebrewHammer0033@reddit
We have a lot of Coyotes in Georgia. I see them all the time in my suburban hood. While everyone thinks they are constantly taking pets, I am unaware of any actual instance. We have rattlesnakes too and there is no problem at all with them. Copperheads are far more abundant and seen a lot but as far as "problems" super rare.
Odd-Tell-5702@reddit
Depends where you live. I have never seen a rattlesnake. I see coyotes frequently but never had an encounter with one.
ExcaliburVader@reddit
It really depends on where you live in the US. Our states are very different from each other.
dmbgreen@reddit
Florida, we have both. No issues. Wholesale environmental destruction is a huge issue
themistycrystal@reddit
None. We do have a lot of coyotes around here and we hear them howling and yipping at night. I've also found deer feet and a raccoon skeleton on the trail my husband cuts around the edge of our property. But they've never bothered any humans around here. There is one kind of rattlesnake in my state but I've never seen one. For context, I live in a very rural area with most people around here owning 40 to 60 acres.
love2Bsingle@reddit
we have way too many coyotes where i live (SW Arkansas). I can't let my chickens free range all day because coyotes decimated my flock. I am rebuilding it now. Rattlesnakes we have, but I have seen way more water moccasins and copperheads (also king snakes)
No-Literature9620@reddit
People in more rural areas really have to watch out for coyotes. They seem to be a problem for many areas in America. Rattlesnakes are more area specific. In Eastern KY where I grew up you were taught to make noise in the woods so they'd hear you and move along. I've never seen one in the wild honestly. I've been in the vicinity where someone got bitten (it just grazed them. It was teens being where they shouldn't have been and weren't paying attention) but I didnt personally see it. But there are other venomous snakes you have to watch out for as well.
MichigaCur@reddit
Coyotes I see fairly regularly, at least once a week. I hear them most nights. Rattlesnakes maybe once a year, Michigan only has one species of rattle snake. It's a small variety and tends to be uncommon living in wetlands and grasslands.
SimplyPars@reddit
Snakes not so much in my area, coyotes can become a problem depending on the pack numbers and how many packs there are in the area. Then they get hunted by almost everyone in the area.
DogwoodWand@reddit
I'm in the coastal southeast. My concern is more gators and copperheads. Not any significant amount of concern, though.
Alligators rarely attack people. Just don't try to pet them.
Most people who are bitten by venomous snakes usually get bitten on the hand. That says a lot there.
Having said that, I've never seen a venomous snake in the wild, and I could probably count the number of times I've seen an alligator on my hands.
Difficult-Ad4364@reddit
We have coyotes in my neighborhood in Florida. I’ve seen videos of them taking outdoor cats off back porches.
sadicarnot@reddit
The coyotes mostly go after flightless birds that run really fast. Usually the bird gets the best of the coyote. The bigger question is why the Acme Company keeps sending anvils and dynamite to the desert where the coyote lives.
mrshyphenate@reddit
I'm in Ohio and we have coyotes but they're barely a problem. No rattle snakes here
WillDupage@reddit
We have coyotes in town. There’s a pack living in the nature area across the street from me. I’m in suburban Chicago, and you hear them after sundown year round. They leap fences & run through yards. You definitely can’t leave your little yapper out unattended. I grew up 4 miles away from here in the 70s/80s when there were still open spaces and cornfields, but coyotes were not around. My great-aunt and great-uncle had a farm in Will County and coyotes were very rare back then even in the countryside.
Rattlesnakes are not much of an issue around here. The Chicago area is in the natural territory for Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes but a sighting is so rare it will make the local news. Just wear boots when tromping through brush.
Cruitire@reddit
Coyotes are everywhere it seems. I don’t have pets so they aren’t a real concern for me but I’ve known of several people that lost pets to them.
I’ve come across rattlesnakes but never had any problems with them. If you leave them alone they will leave you alone. Most people who get bitten are people messing with them.
Mammoth_Ad_4806@reddit
I live in the outer ‘burbs of NYC, with no dangerous animals to speak of. Mostly raccoons, deer, and wild turkey where I am. We did have a hawk swoop down and try to carry off a chicken, but that’s about it.
WinstonThorne@reddit
Coyotes aren't a problem if you keep your cats inside.
Rattlesnakes aren't a problem unless you hassle them. (Source: lived in the high desert in northern NM for 7 years).
Evening-Upset@reddit
I live just outside of Nashville and have seen and hear coyotes regularly. I wouldn’t leave small pets outside unsupervised. With that said, our neighbors do. We have a couple small dogs and plenty of cats that roam the neighborhood. I have never seen a rattlesnake. Another thing to be concerned about with smaller pets are hawks and eagles.
Most wild animals deliberately avoid humans though which is why it’s important to talk while on a hike in bear country. Or even mountain lion territory. You don’t want to come around a corner and startle a bear of any kind.
eac555@reddit
In California I have seen them both around. More coyotes than rattlesnakes. Never been a real problem for me. Though I have killed couple of rattlesnakes that were too close for comfort to where people were.
newbie527@reddit
Coyotes are everywhere, they are good at staying out of sight. I have spotted a few over the last thirty years here in small town central Florida.
skaliton@reddit
the vast majority of people have no problems with them. It is one of those things the media likes to dig in on but while coyotes do live in basically any rural area rattlesnakes (being snakes/reptiles) only really exist in the deep south
Bastilleinstructor@reddit
Im in a southern state where we can shoot coyotes within 100 yards of your property without a license. If they are harming your livestock, shoot on site. You can get a hunting license and kill them on other lands, no season. There are even places designed for night hunting.
I live in a neighborhood. They tote off small dogs and cats. I will kill one if need be. My parents house is in the country. We carry pistols around that property for that reason. Ive seen them on the cameras there and I will kill one when tending to the property, should the need arise. Ive never seen a rattlesnake at my parents house, however neighbors have. Ive seen one coral snake and more copperheads and cottonmouths than I care to think about. I will kill a venomous snake. The ones I identify as non-venomous I leave be. These critters are a way of life around here.
Grandemestizo@reddit
Coyotes often eat people’s cats and chickens, sometimes small dogs or other smaller livestock. They can take something as big as a sheep with enough numbers. No real threat to humans except in freak circumstances.
Rattlesnakes kill a few dunks every year, they don’t go looking for trouble and then give lots of warning so getting bit by one is usually the result of foolishness.
Vachic09@reddit
I currently live in northern Georgia. I have not had an issue with them, because I have been able to avoid them. You don't leave small animals outside without some protection unsupervised. Most rattlesnakes would rather avoid you, and would rattle as a warning. There have been some individual rattlesnakes that no longer have rattles. One coyote won't necessarily kill a large dog, but a group can. They're present but manageable.
Automatic_Teach1271@reddit
Heard one in the woods at night. Very scary
african-nightmare@reddit
Not very common on a day to day basis. Coyotes definitely are becoming very comfortable in urban areas, even sometimes during the day.
But rattlesnakes are typically only out in the wild, when you are on a hike or something (which is still very, very rare to encounter).
Manatee369@reddit
Definitely not just in the wild here in Florida, especially pygmy rattlers. Coyotes are getting more common here around Daytona as developers destroy habitat.
Snoo_31427@reddit
They’re all over metro Atlanta as well.
Rebel_Scum_This@reddit
Speak for yourself, if you live in a rural area "the wild" is basically your backyard lmao
HonorDefend@reddit
Yup, I see them all the time in the town where I live on the outskirts of. Especially now in the spring when the baby rattlers come out like crazy. I keep a pair of snake proof boots by my door for when I go foraging.
Significant_Shoe_17@reddit
My great grandma lived in a rural area, and she would shoot them
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
We use a shovel.
snickelbetches@reddit
Does that make you wild too?
McGeeze@reddit
Coyotes have been comfortable in urban areas for decades. Rattlesnakes aren't rare, they're just very good at hiding. They rattle to let you know you're too close so you don't squish them - otherwise you would probably wouldn't even notice them.
Significant_Shoe_17@reddit
That's why you kick any big logs that you come across while hiking
Setsailshipwreck@reddit
Tell that to the rattlesnake I found in the a/c duct inside my house the other year. Also rattlesnakes nest up in group dens so if you’ve got one on your property, there are generally many more right nearby. When I lived in California I’d find them in my yard, once up on my deck, around my chicken coop, or even sometimes in the garage. They are definitely not “only out in the wild when hiking”.
YouFeedTheFish@reddit
Thanks for speaking for everybody, everywhere. I nearly walked into an enormous rattlesnake in the office parking lot in San Jose.
african-nightmare@reddit
It’s about like my response is just…my response
caligulas_mule@reddit
That's not true at all. We killed 4 rattlesnakes in the past 2 weeks. I live in the central valley.
potchie626@reddit
The first one I saw was at our gas station we had near Merced. I stepped over it and thought it was dead because it was flat.
Here in Pasadena I’ve only seen them while golfing near the foothills. There’s a course nearby that has signs about them (telling people not to go into the brush to get balls) and it was somewhat common to see them sunning on the cart path in the late afternoon.
thetiredninja@reddit
Last summer I was heavily pregnant and would walk around my office building on breaks. A security guard in the building came out to warn me that he had just chased off a pair of coyotes, even though it was the middle of the day. I definitely thought about it more often.
Rattlesnakes are more common in my neighborhood because it's on the edge of some unincorporated land. They're more of a concern around this time of year, but if you don't go wandering into the bushes and watch where you step it's no biggie.
Odd-Help-4293@reddit
I think there is a type of rattlesnake that lives in my state, but I've never seen it or heard of anyone seeing it.
When I was in school, we learned how to identify a copperhead, which is a more common venomous snake around here, and I think I've seen one of those once or twice in my life.
Coyotes can be a nuisance if you live in a rural/wooded area. They hunt small animals, and that could include your small dog, cat, or chickens.
LadyOfTheNutTree@reddit
I’ve been escorted by coyotes—where they run behind you while you pass through their territory, but never had a problem with them.
I’ve never seen a rattlesnake in the wild, but I’d kind of like to. I had a copperhead strike my boot once, but it couldn’t get through the leather. To be fair, I didn’t see it and stepped on its tail. No hard feeling on my side there
btnzgb@reddit
I’ve never personally seen a rattlesnake or coyote in my 36 yrs of living in the U.S.
TheGabyDali@reddit
I don't know if they're new or not but I was surprised to find out we do have coyotes where I live! I was doing laundry late one night and jokingly thought to myself, "If almost sounds like coyotes." Only for the neighborhood group chat to blow up the next morning with pictures of coyotes roaming. I was definitely concerned about our birds and dog but nothing ever happened. I still hear the coyotes but I assume they're surviving just fine on whatever lives in the preserve. Honestly we have more of an issue with gators.
Turd_Fergusons_@reddit
Rattlesnakes are not much of a problem. They always warn you, well in advance to stay away. Other venomous snakes are more of a problem, such as the copperhead. They are less lethal but very quick to bite and lie in wait until you literally step on them. Their camouflage is superb.
haluura@reddit
It really depends on where you live. The US is a huge country, and rattlesnakes are not found everywhere.
In places like the West and parts of the South, they may be a concern. But where I live, in New England, they are fairly rare, and mostly only found in the deep woods.
Most of us around here aren't even aware of them, unless we do a lot of hiking.
The only poisonous snake we have to think about are water moccasins. And those live primarily in ponds and marshlands, so we don't really have to worry about them in our backyards.
wampastompa09@reddit
Coyotes are very over-populated, the greatest risk is not generally to humans, but small pets have been taken.
An8thOfFeanor@reddit
Rattlesnakes are not nearly as common as coyotes. The little bastards are everywhere and they chew on pets.
59chevyguy@reddit
There are almost no rattlesnakes where I live, but the coyotes are a concern. I have 4 small dogs and I have to be diligent when taking them out to go to the bathroom from dusk to dawn as the coyotes have been known to kill and eat small pets in my area. Otherwise, I enjoy their presence. We’re encroaching on their habitat, we’re the problem, not them.
Hour-Watercress-3865@reddit
Depends where you are. I'm in NY up near Canada, and I've never seen a rattle snake. We might have a one-off coyote somewhere in the woods outside of town.
Now bears on the other hand, those can be an issue. Mainly black bears here. Foxes and hawks pose the biggest threat to small animals.
Down in the south and out west, rattlesnakes and coyotes are a bigger problem.
Remember, the states are huge, one end has an entirely different ecosystem from the other.
Communal-Lipstick@reddit
Not much
Johnsoline@reddit
Some places around here the ranchers will pay you bounties for coyote feet.
Penguin_Life_Now@reddit
Coyotes are often a problem on our family cattle ranch, some years worse than others, with them taking young calves.
nasadowsk@reddit
In PA, you just need a general hunting license. No closed season. Policy on my land is any coyote seen is to be killed if you can get the shot safely, I.E. not hurt anyone.
Those who find this draconian have never heard or seen one take down a deer, or a fawn. It's not pretty.
geri73@reddit
I see them every few years in our city park but see more of them around my job, and it's usually just the one. Raccoons and rabbits is what I see most in the city.
EngineerBoy00@reddit
I live in the Texas Hill Country (between Austin and San Antonio).
We have coyotes and rattlesnakes.
There have also been a series of rabid Fox attacks this week.
We also have:
Also, due to climate changes, black bears have been moving up from southwest Texas, with the closest one spotted 75 miles away, so it seems to be just a matter of time before they make the list, too.
On a day-to-day basis the scorpions are the most common problem. The bobcats and mountain lions are only spotted rarely, and I've never directly seen either on our property (yet).
sluttypidge@reddit
Not a lot, but enough I know to be aware.
kmn49371@reddit
It really depends on where you are. I'm here in NE Ohio, just outside Cleveland (Parma, to be exact). We have coyotes in the area - I saw a pair crossing the street one winter morning several years ago after I dropped my daughter off at school, and the naturalists at the nearby Metroparks reservation will tell you just to keep your distance if you see one, as they're naturally wary of people. Since this is a suburban area, a lot of folks will let their pets outside unsupervised, which is not such a great idea, but I have never heard of a coyote attacking a human (adult or child) here.
Rattlesnakes are not an issue. I've only seen a handful of snakes in the wild here, and none of them were venomous. In fact, I "liberated" a small garter snake from the parking garage at work years ago when they were doing construction outside. I practically tripped over it, so I just bent down, picked it up, and carried it out to a nearby shrub to put it under, out of sight of any hawks or falcons looking for a quick meal. 😆
Brave_Mess_3155@reddit
I see coyotes all the time. They never give me any trouble but I think they ate my elderly cat about 5 years ago.
Ive only seen rattlesnakes when I was 18 and doing a back packing trek through the wilderness in New Mexico.
Stickyfynger@reddit
In New England there’s only one species of rattlesnake (Timber) and it’s very rare to see one. Coyotes mainly want to be heard at night and not seen. Cannot leave small pets outside unsupervised or they are food. Foxes are even worse for chicken populations. They kill for sport.
Spiritual_Theme_3455@reddit
Depends on where you live, like if you live in a city, you're not going to have to deal with them, but if you live in a more rural area, then yeah you should keep an eye out for them
slurmsmckenzie2@reddit
My entire family was killed by a roaming pack of coyotes
TheJokersChild@reddit
No, because they're native mostly to the southwest and that's not where I live.
quarantina2020@reddit
I lived on the east coast and had no coyotes nor rattlesnakes. We had plenty of other stuff. Now I live in the middle of the country. On my first solo hike I saw my first rattlesnake. Now I hike higher in the mountains.
I've seen several coyotes and don't leave my chihuahua out because of them and the birds of prey.
AbruptMango@reddit
I'm in New England. Most nights my dog is afraid to go out because of coyotes. She's only a 35 pounder, they'd eat her up.
roryteller@reddit
Kids in my area were taught to recognize rattesnakes, which came in handy when my friend saw one in a public garden once (we informed staff and people were kept out of that part of the garden for a while) but I never knew anyone who got bitten.
We also have coyotes. If anything, it seems like they're bolder and bolder in urban and suburban areas lately. I've seen and heard them in my neighborhood but never heard of any pets getting attacked around here.
yeeticusprime1@reddit
Depends on locality. Some people can’t leave small dogs outside due to coyotes. I can’t due to hawks.
GSilky@reddit
I live with both. I'm a thirty minute walk from a "mega den" of rattlers, which also means it's coyote heaven. I stay on the hiking paths this time of year because baby rattlesnakes haven't learned their manners and don't warn you that they are there. In the fall I help to make sure the snakes get across the bike paths that surround their winter den safely by being sort of a crossing guard for them. The coyotes are great, fun to watch skulk around. Everyone in the area understands that they were here first so they do the best to protect their pets rather than complain about coyotes.
jfellrath@reddit
No issue at all in Ohio. Though, I have seen coyotes here at night.
L8dTigress@reddit
Only if you live in the South West for both of them and in areas close to big open grasslands for the Coyotes. But they're more so of a danger to domesticated pets.
TheViolaRules@reddit
The range for both of these animals is larger; in the case of coyotes, very much so
L8dTigress@reddit
IIRC you can't find a rattlesnake in the Northeast of the USA, they live in deserts.
TheViolaRules@reddit
timber rattlesnake range
CODENAMEDERPY@reddit
I have had a few calves get gotten by coyotes over the years. Rattlesnakes haven’t been a problem in my area since my grandparents time. They’re around but quite rare. On a personal level I’ve never felt afraid of a coyote. They always are terrified of me.
Bogmanbob@reddit
Lots of coyotes near me. Just keep an eye on small pets and your fine. They aren't particularly aggressive
ironkodiak@reddit
Grew up on a horse farm in the midwest. We've had coyotes. You often keep donkeys around with the horses because doney's are badasses & will fuck coyotes up.
We've also grabbed a rifle & shot a few coyotes if we can get to it before they run off.
MollyOMalley99@reddit
We have a pair of coyotes living in our back yard. There haven't been any direct confrontations with us yet, as they seem to be quite skittish. However, we caught a security video of one strutting up our driveway in broad daylight with a cat in its mouth.
THElaytox@reddit
Where I live? They're everywhere. Almost stepped on a baby rattlesnake on 4th of July while trying to get a better view of the fireworks. See/hear coyotes all the time. But also I live in an area where that's not uncommon
EagleCatchingFish@reddit
When I lived on a farm, if a farm cat just disappeared one day, we assumed a coyote got to it. There was a rock pile in the middle of one of our fields that my brother told me had a rattlesnake in it, so I never went there. I think he was probably messing with me.
I live in the suburbs now, at the edge of the farmland and a wetland. I'll hear coyotes every once in a while, but I've never seen them in my neighborhood. They probably do wander through the blocks right next to the wetland.
Raccoons, though. I see those all the time. The Brits have foxes, we have raccoons. There's a mamma raccoon who brings her babies through my yard basically every night in the summer. One night, I heard them moving around my cherry tree. I shined a light and saw five little pairs of eyes and a bigger pair of eyes shining back at me. It was cute.
A couple months back, we even had a skunk. The reason I know we had a skunk is because at 2 AM the whole house woke up to an OVERPOWERING skunk smell. The next day, we found where it had sprayed: right under my bedroom window! My window is right on a corner, so it must have been surprised by one of the neighborhood cats as it rounded the corner. 🤢
CSamCovey@reddit
We only have a problem with foxes usually. I’ve only heard coyotes in the distance a few times, which is a bit odd because I’m out in the hills just outside of Napa, with neighbors that aren’t all that close by. I do see rattlesnakes pretty often on the local hiking trails though. Most of them have been ran over by a bike though and are dead. Thankfully I’ve only heard one nearby rattling in my many decades and none by the house. We did have a mountain lion hang out on the patio a few times. It drank our dogs water 😆
DefrockedWizard1@reddit
we have both on our farm and it was only an issue with a coyote once very early on before we had great Pyrenees guarding the livestock
0dnar@reddit
Grew up in rural Central Oklahoma and because of coyotes we couldn't raise goats very well. Luckily the rattlesnakes we have here are pygmy rattlesnakes and are not as poisonous as other vipers. Like my Dad got bit by one when we were moving a hog pen and the poor old bastard just felt like tired shit the rest of the day.
ExistentialWonder@reddit
We live rurally in the middle of the country and we see/hear coyotes daily.
I know there are rattlesnakes in my area but I've never personally seen one. We get copperheads a lot though, had a baby one let itself in my window through a hole in the screen. Fun day 😅
growerdan@reddit
I’m in PA and we have coyotes but I never heard of anyone having an issue with them. I thought the same with about snakes too until I heard about a guy getting bit at a construction site the other day. I’ve only ever seen a copperhead a handful of times.
Live-Door3408@reddit
Haven't necessarily had any problems with them but I see coyotes roaming around the Los Angeles metro on a regular basis, haven't see one yet but apparently bear sitings are common too. The LA area is built around a lot of large hills/mountains so unlike many other cities, it’s directly next to vast untapped wilderness so they don't have to travel far to get down to urban areas, Downtown LA itself is only 15-20 miles from a national forest and the nearest suburb of La Cañada Flintridge is only 4-5 miles away. I also used to hear packs of them howl almost every night where I grew up in the countryside of western Wisconsin.
yaxAttack@reddit
My state has rattlesnakes in a couple areas, including some mountains where I’d take kids occasionally for my job. I’ve only run into one once, luckily without kids, and was able to pass by it no problem.
somroaxh@reddit
Rattlesnakes aren’t a huge issue since they won’t always invade populated areas, the ones that do usually do so by accident or some obscure interest in nearby prey. You’ll absolutely see one hiking in the woods though, like every time if you look around. I’m much more concerned with water moccasins though. They’re water based snakes that are venomous and love hanging in the marshy bank. So lakes, streams, swamps are all super dangerous to be near, because even standing in the bank is close enough for a baby to jump out and inject you with all its venom, or an adult to strike because you’re close to its babies. I’ve literally never been in the lake even in safe areas because of water moccasins
Appropriate-Fold-485@reddit
Rattlesnakes: not at all.
Coyotes: minor. They're skittish so not much threat.
Wolves: less common, but more of a problem than the coyotes because they're not skittish and engage in days-long attempt to complete the hunt
Double_Strike2704@reddit
From Oklahoma, lived in Texas, Cali and Nevada... In OK I saw a stray coyote here and there but always in cities despite living in an area that wasn't a real town. Saw snakes but never a rattlesnake. In Texas... didn't see either. Same with Nevada. Now in California... I lived in LA proper as well as in the Angeles National Forest. I saw coyotes ALL OVER THE PLACE. In the forest, in suburbs, on highways, in neighborhoods, in public parks smack fab in the middle of the city that weren't part of Griffith. They're just out there. My first encounter with a rattlesnake in the wild was at Griffith Park also and a park ranger tried to tell me I didn't know what a rattlesnake looked like as if I hadn't seen them at zoos since I was basically born.
Travelsat150@reddit
I just took a huge risk at 1:50am bringing my two little dogs out into my backyard to go pee. They went one at a time - while one stood in the doorway the other went and if he strayed more than 6 feet I was hovering over him. It’s very scary. Have coyotes on my roof, in the street- they are lightning fast and will take off with any small animal. I’ve seen a huge one go after a very large dog and scared the hell out of me as they jumped over my car.
raging_dusk@reddit
I live in CA and I see coyotes every once in a while but I've never had a problem with them. Theyre only a problem if you have livestock and/or live in the country/less populated areas. Snakes are sighted more but they're no problem too, mostly harmless if you leave them alone.
jackfaire@reddit
I was working a job at a school and had to go outside of the building to go to the office where I had my lunch. On the way there I heard a pack of coyotes across the street. I quietly but quickly got inside and didn't' leave until morning. I know they don't normally attack humans but they can and will kill a human. I wasn't taking the chance.
GlazedDonutGloryHole@reddit
No rattlesnakes here but the coyotes are thick. Well fed thick as I just saw one a few weeks ago on the edge of town. Buddy was eating well on the feral cat population. I know a ton of hunters that have some really nice thermal scopes that do their best to drop the local population but they seem to be holding steady.
OldDogWithOldTricks@reddit
I have a coyote family that lives behind my house. They have never been a problem.
TeratoidNecromancy@reddit
Depends on where you live. The southwest states have a pretty big problem, yeah.
Uhhh_what555476384@reddit
I walked into a pack of coyotes walking my dogs in Portland, OR. It was an eerie experience.
jorwyn@reddit
Where I am in a suburb, coyotes are around but rarely an issue. They get into trash bins if they're not protected. They'll chew up leather stuff left where they can get to it. They'll kill cats and small dogs they can reach if a human isn't around, but people are mostly smart enough but to not to leave small pets unattended. I think the biggest annoyance I have is that they like to half bury parts of dead wildlife in my garden in front of my house.
I used to have a small farm, and they were more of a problem there. They'd kill sheep and chickens, tear up the wooden sides of the barn to chew up anything leather, and kill barn cats meant to keep mice out of the hay. Putting up solar powered little mp3 players with speakers and very low volume mountain lion sounds absolutely kept them out of the barn, but it did take some time for the cats to not be panicked about the noises.
I have property in the mountains but nothing built yet. I have a shipping container for storage they can't get into, and they haven't messed with my travel trailer. I hear them a lot at night, but not close by. We have a mountain lion whose range includes my property, and the coyote avoid the hell out of her. She's not around my place much, but apparently she is just enough the coyote stay away. Neighbors away from her range with dogs and smaller livestock build fences with what we call coyote rollers on top - PVC pipes on chains that roll when they try to climb over. You also have to bury fencing, so they can't dig under. Livestock is driven into those pens before sunset when the coyote come out and let back out to graze after sunrise. Most also have large livestock guard dogs the coyote will not mess with unless completely starving. We have enough deer and wild turkeys, that's not much of an issue.
On my side of the city, we don't have rattlesnakes, but I do sometimes encounter them on the West side. We're on the Eastern edge of a desert. I also used to live in Phoenix - usually on the edges of the city. I've seen plenty of rattlesnakes, but I've never had any issues with them. Watch for them, don't step on them, and if you hear a rattle, freeze and look again. Wear thick taller boots when hiking. Rattlesnake, however, can be a problem for pet dogs who will often try to attack the snakes and get bit. Leashes and consistent training are important. There are also "vaccinations" you can get your dog for rattlesnake venom that are a really good idea.
It's small stuff like scorpions and black widows that are really more of a problem if you don't think first. They're smaller, harder to see, and like to climb into shoes, gloves, etc, that aren't being worn. It's also much easier for them to get in your house.
pgcooldad@reddit
40 km northeast of Detroit - there are coyote stings often but we never hear them.
bananapanqueques@reddit
Seattle has a coyote problem but I wouldn’t think most big cities do. No rattlers on this side of WA.
My sister lives in central TX, literally picked up a baby rattler out of her neighbor’s dog’s mouth no more than a week ago. Coyotes picked off one of her cats last year.
snickelbetches@reddit
All major cities do.
OrdinarySubstance491@reddit
Our house is across the street from a huge field. We hear coyotes and wild hogs all the time.
Rattlesnakes are a concern further west, in the dryer areas
snickelbetches@reddit
I'd be more scared of the hogs in your situation
AZmine8847@reddit
yes I live in one of those areas further west, where old dryers, carpet piles and couches roam the desert along with coyotes and rattlers
OrdinarySubstance491@reddit
lol. I meant west of my city. Like the hill country
-make-it-so-@reddit
They are both in the area where I live, which is pretty rural, but I’ve never actually seen either. I’ve heard coyotes on occasion. Still, my small dog doesn’t leave my sight when he’s outside.
Viharabiliben@reddit
There are coyotes in parks and some neighborhoods in San Francisco. The park rangers have posted signs to be careful.
sugabeetus@reddit
I was driving across Wyoming last summer and I pulled into a rest area to stretch my legs. There were some wild sunflowers next to the road and I thought I might pick one to take with me. I was on the phone with my husband, and I said, man, there is one angry bug in there! It sounded kind of like an insect buzzing to me at first. Then I heard the more distinctive rattle sound as it died out. I booked it back to the van but then went to snap a picture (using zoom, I didn't get close again). The snake was about 12 inches below where I'd reached my hand toward the flower. I would have been absolutely fucked if I'd been bitten. You hear about how big the US is, but you can't really imagine how empty most of it is. I was in the exact middle of fucking nowhere, alone. It wasn't even really a rest stop, just a lane for truckers to pull into to park off the highway. I would've had to beg one of them to drive me to the nearest hospital, probably hours away. And felt lucky that there was even anyone else around.
sugabeetus@reddit
Oh! And coyotes are everywhere. Where I used to live, Washington State, we'd hear packs of them barking and chasing rabbits in the field across the street at night, and one time, at a different house, in town, I heard my cat freaking out at the door and he booked inside when I opened it. I looked out and there was a big coyote just standing under the streetlights in the middle of the intersection, staring at me. I probably ruined his dinner. We moved to Missouri and we like to go for walks in the evenings and see the deer behind our apartments. The other night a coyote was just chilling with them, in someone's backyard.
jarvis646@reddit
I lost a cat to coyotes. My friend growing up lost his dogs. Don’t leave animals outside overnight.
JadeHarley0@reddit
Virtually none.
Coyotes live everywhere, even in the city, but they avoid people and very very rarely bite people. They will attack pets that are unsupervised outdoors, but if you are not an idiot and you keep your dogs behind fence and your cats inside this will not be a problem. People who raise farm animals often have problems with coyotes though.
Rattle snakes are native to everywhere but only really common in the south and southwest. Bites are uncommon, and the people who are most likely to get bitten are people who attempt to handle the snake. They famously give a warning before they bite and really would prefer to hide. If you are bitten you are very unlikely to die if you get prompt medical treatment.
blackredsilvergold@reddit
My development has rattlesnakes. We had a sighting in one of our green areas in the last few weeks.
ActionThaxton@reddit
america is a huge place, some people have to be very conscious of these things, others will never see them.
i have twice come across rattlesnakes when hiking. they warned be to be cautious.. i was... we were both pleased with the result.
Theutus2@reddit
None.
Hawks, bears, and alligators are a different story, though.
Nawnp@reddit
They're both pretty rare. In the cities you won't see either obviously, but even in rural areas, they're pretty rare. I think I've seen both a couple of times in my life, but neither attack humans unless provoked. Pets are a danger, but that's why you never leave your pet unattended.
Chaser_606@reddit
Coyotes are not all that rare in Chicago.
Nawnp@reddit
Huh, Im in the South, and never heard of Coyotes in the city. I know people who commute into the cities deal with them, especially on farmland.
Our night animals seem to be by and large raccoons and foxes.
LazHuffy@reddit
I see them in Dallas all the time. They’re everywhere. They live off of pets, rats and mice — fertile hunting grounds in the city.
RoryDragonsbane@reddit
https://youtu.be/OB7nomE1VL4?si=yvtMQP4v1yo4ZnfT
https://youtu.be/IQe0lpcW_QI?si=U3IKP5zwXNOSZh1Q
First link is from PBS, second is from Smithsonian
They are there and in the thousands, just very sneaky
Chaser_606@reddit
There’s an estimated 2000 coyotes in the city. They often live in the cemeteries and nature preserves. I saw one the other night walking home from the bar just chilling in the lawn of the high school near my house. They’re obviously shy of humans, but it’s always fun sighting one.
Nawnp@reddit
I should clarify, I meant the American South, not South Chicago. Yes coyotes are beautiful animals I'd like to see more, but again I don't tend to leave the city enough to see them.
DrMindbendersMonocle@reddit
Neither are rare
McGeeze@reddit
They are not rare at all on the west coast, urban or rural
FreckledTidepool@reddit
Oh I’m sorry to inform you that coyotes are present and in growing numbers in most small and major cities in the US. Not as rare as I’d like
Happy_Confection90@reddit
My ecology professor was thrilled that coyotes were present in all 48 contiguous states in the mid-90s, and surely their populations have only grown since then because they're good at outcompeting other wild canines.
FreckledTidepool@reddit
For me, the craziest thing is how they can consciously control their litter size based on resource availability and competition
glemits@reddit
They're in San Francisco, and they hunt small dogs.
stcrIight@reddit
It depends. When I lived in Nevada, it was a problem. Living in Chicago now, I've never heard of it being an issue.
SoftBoat4595@reddit
Ive seen plenty of both and neither affected my day. I’m terrified of water moccasins though.
DaisyMaeMiller1984@reddit
We even have coyotes in San Francisco! I came across one in Golden Gate Park who happened to be crossing the street at the same time as me.
Left him alone, he left me alone
CrashDisaster@reddit
I've not come across a rattlesnake in the wild, but I've seen a lot of coyote. Just saw one on my way home last week.
Somewhere i have a video from a few years back of coyote and Elk arguing back and forth haha
Significant_Shoe_17@reddit
Also in CA, and I haven't encountered a coyote, but I've heard mountain lions and seen their tracks
RichLeadership2807@reddit
I almost got bit as a toddler. Learned early to watch where I step from an early age. Coyotes are more of a nuisance that kill pets and livestock
Secret-Structure9750@reddit
When I lived in a Seattle suburb, you could definitely hear the coyotes at night. Had some peaceful encounters with some, they’re pretty much just small dogs that are scared of you.
Rattlesnakes - only time I worried about them was when I was in central Oregon
Razrgrrl@reddit
I live in Northern California, I’ve spotted coyotes a few times this past winter. My little dog wears a coyote vest in certain places. We have not encountered a rattler, thank goodness. I’ve only come upon them a few times. Mountain lions and bears are also of some concern in parts of California. But they’re black bears, so they’re much more chill (compared to grizzlies).
Gau-Mail3286@reddit
We don't have either of them in our state, so, they're not a problem in our area.
The only time we hear about coyotes, is when people are making bar bets as to whether coyotes or roadrunners are faster in real life...
theatremom2016@reddit
Eh. I live in a town and have never seen one, but I've heard them
TheLizardKing89@reddit
Coyotes get spotted all the time in LA.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/map-coyotes-los-angeles-county/3520996/?amp=1
sackofblood@reddit
I had an entire pack of coyotes run past me in Pasadena. Scared the hell out of me.
YetiBot@reddit
The coyotes have been so brazen since the fires pushed them out of their territories. I’ve never seen them so close to people or during the day before this year.
Desert_Beach@reddit
Constantly in north Scottsdale
juicyburgerjim666@reddit
Not as much as you might think. There is more horrific shit than that by far right now.
mountednoble99@reddit
I lived in a pretty rural city in California years ago and we’d see coyotes at the local park. They were very skiddish and ran away as soon as they saw us. Rattlesnakes are pretty common in the desert in California too.
SL13377@reddit
Only seen a few coyotes and only seen one rattlesnake
Southern California
dead0man@reddit
I spent 21 years in the St Louis area, 5 years in various places around the south and 26 years in Omaha and I've never seen a coyote or rattlesnake in the wild. I've heard both, especially coyotes at night on my grandpa's farm in rural southern Illinois, but never actually seen them or lost a pet to them.
misagale@reddit
All of these are hazards in the SW states. We all see them regularly (Also bears, mountain lions, scorpions, centipedes, etc. And in Colorado, Gila “monsters” and javelinas.
Afraid_Argument580@reddit
This is like asking how Spanish people and polish people deal with geckos getting into their houses
misagale@reddit
Not really a “problem” per se, just a hazard to look out for. Birds of prey are also a “hazard” be aware of. (Resident of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona)
rabidseacucumber@reddit
I grew up in Florida and it was water moccasins and gators. They just got pets though.
ATLDeepCreeker@reddit
Mostly this is just a regional problem.
Ok-Tourist-1011@reddit
Really just depends honestly, when I lived in Montana we had an insane problem with coyotes and rattlesnakes but now that I live in Dallas it’s not really a problem as far as I can tell
LiveArrival4974@reddit
Not unless you live in the mountains regarding coyotes. Wolves, foxes, deer, elk, moose, and occasionally bobcats are more likely in town. Same goes with rattlesnakes, you're more likely to find scorpions in town.
Left_Lengthiness_433@reddit
There are plenty of coyotes where I live, and they are not generally a threat to humans. I do know people who have lost pets to wildlife predation, though, so they do affect life patterns to a certain degree.
Rattlesnakes, on the other hand, are not an immediate danger where I live. In areas where they are prevalent, you should maintain an awareness of your surroundings, and maybe wear proper clothing when in wild country. But snakes aren’t going to go out of their way to bite people.
silverandshade@reddit
In Texas? A lot. But America is massive and there's plenty of large areas where neither of these animals are ever around at all lmao
Silver_Catman@reddit
Coyotes all the time, tale.off with chickens and slaughter cats
Rattle snakes only once and its cause the dog disturbed it (but you're always on the look out for them)
-Arizona
Chai47@reddit
I'm 55 years old and have lived in the SoCal and SoNev Mojave Desert most of my life. I've seen coyotes too many times to count. A few of those sightings occurred as they were chasing after the family cat. Also have spotted a bobcat lurking around my dads house a few times, likely stalking the local wildlife that graze in his yard (Quail, Chukar, Roadrunner, Jackrabbits, etc).
As for rattlesnakes, I've only had three close encounters with them. Once on a hike near Lake Mead with the cub scouts, we stopped for a break and our scoutmaster sat on a boulder just three feet from a rattler sunning itself on another nearby rock. Another time, while out on a motorcycle ride, ran over a snake that was crossing the road. Lastly, found one coiled up on the footpath outside the front door of our house as we were heading out to do some grocery shopping.
TheMuffler42069@reddit
They’re cool in my book, no problems here.
tvdoomas@reddit
They watch me get out of my car at work atleast once a week. They know i am disabled and i can see them thinking about how disabled i am and how many of them there are....
Starflier55@reddit
Phoenix, Arizona here. I see coyotes 1x per month, average. And my husband sees a rattler 1x a year in the outskirts of the city.
Last-Radish-9684@reddit
Arizona had plenty of both, and pets are constantly lost. We also have javelina, bobcats, and mountain lions invading yards from San Manuel to Littlefield.
Gabaloo@reddit
I live in portland and see coyotes on occasion, I hear them a lot more, whole bunch of them yipping at night.
They Definitely kill outdoor and lost cats. I've never had one in my yard or anything
Eureecka@reddit
I grew up rural but never saw a rattlesnake. Heard one once and carefully retreated.
Coyotes are everywhere. They haven’t been a problem yet but the ones around me have been getting bigger and are starting to hunt in packs. (I’m in a suburb of Chicago.) People post pretty regularly about being stalked while walking their small dogs. I’m not worried - my cat isn’t allowed outside, I don’t have small dogs, and my kid is older - but I do wonder how things will go in the future.
BigNorseWolf@reddit
They are generally not stalking the dogs. They just want to make sure that guy doesnt set up shop on THEIR lamd and eat THEIR rabbits.
Texas43647@reddit
Where I’m from rattlesnakes are an issue for sure but luckily they tend to warn you before they fuck you up in my experience but coyotes should only present a problem to people with smaller animals I’d guess.
Large dogs or perhaps even medium sized dogs will generally maul coyotes though like that (large) Great Pyrenees who I believe killed either 8-11 coyotes and was on the news lol. Many people haven’t seen them up close but coyotes are very small and I’ve never ever heard of one messing with people only ever small animals.
My friend has a pit bull terrier that is only around 70 pounds if I remember correctly who has racked up quite a coyote kill count throughout his 6 years of life. He seems to have a personal problem with them and regularly mauls groups of them around their property.
TLDR rattlesnakes can certainly be a problem depending on where you live but I’ve never heard of coyotes posing an issue to anyone unless you’re a chicken or you own chickens.
Firstworldreality@reddit
Snakes aren't so bad. We have them out at my parents' house, but there's tons of fields around, which can be garter snakes, gopher snakes, rattle snakes, etc. The coyotes are everywhere. Whether it's in town or outside of town, there's a pack of coyotes everywhere. We get mountain lions here, too, and sometimes bears.
Immediate_Falcon8808@reddit
In the southwest it's real issue. Campgrounds and areas where there aren't enough good snakes to keep the rattle snake population at bay, they are literally posted with signs and yes you'll see them. A local outlet mall has signs posted in all their landscape areas. You run into them hiking, camping etc.
And coyotes - packs of them yipping and carrying on through the whole neighborhood after dark. See them regularly. Have watched 2 of them work together to distract a dog with higg fence yard, so other could jump in and grab a chicken.
Lost_My_Brilliance@reddit
coyotes have never been problematic for me, and i’ve never seen a rattlesnake in the wild
DrMindbendersMonocle@reddit
And you are from Texas? Really? Ive seen them numerous times
OldCompany50@reddit
Love coyotes!! Snake…. Terrified of any kind but rattlers bite hikers or fools or dogs
Colorado
Mountain_Economist_8@reddit
Never dealt with either growing up in IL. My sis took our cat to rural CA and It got ate by coyotes probably. (Disappeared)
maimou1@reddit
Florida here. It's poisonous snakes like coral snakes and alligators for us.
DrMindbendersMonocle@reddit
Yes, that is more a Western US thing, though
EternalOctoMystic@reddit
I live in Central Oregon and typically hear more coyotes than I see - usually at night or early morning, but every once in a while you'll spot them randomly in a neighborhood or out in rural areas where people have livestock (especially chickens or something else they want to try to eat.)
I've never personally seen a wild rattlesnake (other than with a professional animal handler) but used to help facilitate a training to help dogs avoid them during the summer season when they're common on hiking trails all over the region.
BigNorseWolf@reddit
The coyotes are all over but you never see them here unless you put out a ring camera. You ll here them when the fire engines go and they howl back at it.
Rattlesnakes in the north east mostly stay on rocky cliffsides. I have had a few run ins Hiking and working in the park. The rattle is an instinctive freeze, see the snake, slowly move away from the snake. Check pants for dampness.
The prison crew refused to work in the woods unless the area was checked first. I walk a grid pattern, nothing. They come in two minutes later? Bzzzchchchhcchhchchchh
i was informed i had to stop telling the snakes to do that.
No bites. Just a very polite warning that they would like to not be stepped on. The only ones that went after me are the ones I poked with sticks to shoo them off the road.
waynehastings@reddit
Pets should be indoors anyway, so no, no problem with coyotes here in Arizona. I've seen them when walking my dog. They're curious but keep distance.
rosewalker42@reddit
Never had a problem with either where I live. We don’t have rattlesnakes at all, and I have only ever seen one snake in the wild ever (garter snake). There have been coyotes around but I’ve never seen one and don’t really worry about them, I live in a more urban area so my cats are strictly indoor as car traffic on busy roads is a huge risk.
Gertrude_D@reddit
I am in Iowa, firmly in the midwest. We have grasslands and woodlands around us naturally. As kids, our new house was a new development backed up against some woods. Our neighbors found a den of timber rattlers that the men took care of with shovels. I didn't even know Iowa could have rattlesnakes, and that was the only time I've ever seen one.
My aunt lives on the edge of an urban area and she can hear them sometimes. Her neighbor with a chicken coop confirms they are around and are a nuisance. Again, I've never encountered one.
kclairp7@reddit
Coyotes are def a bigger problem across the country. In the desert areas there are occasional rattle snakes, but don’t mess with them they don’t mess with you.
Coyotes on the other hand.. I’ve seen one hunting a dog on a leash! Out in the open sidewalk in Chicago!! In a lot of places they have built cities where they used to live, so now they live in the cities and yeah it’s a big problem for people’s pets getting eaten.
Awildgarebear@reddit
Had a pet growing up surrounded by coyotes - everything was fine.
We am adult I see them regularly, and one even pranced in front of me once as I was riding bike.
A favorite of mine is I was hiking early in the morning. There was a fresh layer of snow, while I figured it was someone's dog until I realized there were no human tracks. A bit further on another one joined it and the paths would weave in and out of my path.
Rattlesnakes: I used to be afraid of running into them. The truth is they are the friendliest dangerous animal you can run into. They tell you to watch out! I saw one last year or the year before. I used to run into them more frequently.
Moose are the scariest animal for me. They're wicked fast. I was about 20 ft away from a bear cub - 30 ft from the mom 2 weeks ago and I didn't even have fear. I just silently backed up before starting to make noise. Being within about 100 ft of moose makes me very nervous, and the closest I've been is about 10 ft. I walked around a large boulder to be met with two right in front of me. My first thought was "oh no", but they split up the mountain before I could even get my hand in my pocket to grab my phone.
silkywhitemarble@reddit
Coyotes here in my area are a problem, but people make them a bigger problem when they feed them. I've seen them in my apartment complex. Rattlesnakes exist here, but you hear more about coyotes.
mechanicalcontrols@reddit
Depends on where you are. Downtown LA? Probably not ever gonna see either one, I'd guess. Out on a ranch in eastern Montana? Depends on the season and whatnot but they're certainly an issue if you have live stock.
TheLizardKing89@reddit
In downtown, probably not, but coyotes get spotted in the hilly suburbs all the time, like hundreds of times a year.
Zealousidealist420@reddit
Fr. You ain't gonna find a coyote at Grand Central Market. But in Claremont I've seen plenty, even during mid-day.
McGeeze@reddit
There are coyotes in DTLA. Rats and trash are good eating.
TheLizardKing89@reddit
A news story I read said Claremont had the most coyote reports in the county, along with Hacienda Heights and Woodland Hills.
brian11e3@reddit
We don't usually have Rattlers in my area, but they do occasionally ride in on the trains. I ran into a few of them that way at my second job.
Coyotes are so thick in my area that they are open season for roughly 340 days out of the year. Deer season is the only time they are not in season. We had a pack of them slip into one of our Elk pens to try to kill one of the calves. I'm not sure how many coyotes were in the pack, but 13 never made it out of the pen alive once the Elk cows got ahold of them. The Elk calves they went after only had minor injuries.
1PumpkinKiing@reddit
I live in the desert Southwest, and rattlesnakes are everywhere, and you used to be able to get paid for coyote ears because they were such a problem.
I personally throw a lot of big bonfire parties out in the desert, just a couple miles out of the city. And I have had many run jns with both.
From rattle snakes coming up to the fire to get warm, to sitting under people's cars to get warm then striking when they get close, to the time where I was with an ex and some friends and everyone else had passed out and the fire was getting low so the ex and I went out searching for some sticks to keep the fire going, and the ex reached down to grab a stick, the stick started to rattle, and she quickly jumped behind me and pushed me at it. Luckily I was wearing my steel toed boots, and it struck the toe... but ya, we definitely didn't get back together after that lol.
I have also been at one of those bonfires I setup, and it was early and there were only like 10 people there, and I realized we were probably gonna need more wood if we wanted to party all night. So I sent a group to go get more wood, another group went to get more alcohol, and the 3rd went to go get other things. I ended up staying out there by myself in what was essentially a giant bowl with 30-60 foot tall walls, and 2 dirt roads leading in/out. After a couple minutes i got that being watch/something is very wrong feeling, then a few minutes later I heard a little bit of loose dirt and gravel fall from one if the walls, which was no big deal, there was a little breeze. Then a few seconds later I heard the same thing from another direction, I looked and didn't see anything, but the same sound now came from behind me. I quickly turned around and caught a glimpse of some eyes on top of the hill. That's when I knew for sure what was going on, so i dove into the closest car and closed the door. Instantly the howling and yipping started as the area was flooded by a large pack of coyotes.
Basically they had been watching me and waiting for the right opportunity, but there were enough of them that some were getting too close to the the edge of the like cliffs on the hills, which made some loose sand and gravel fall down, which gave them away. But 2 groups had managed to come from the 2 dirt roads and sneak right up to the edge of the fire light before I had anything more than a bit of a bad feeling. So I was lucky the car closest to me was unlocked, cuz ya, I barely got the door closed in time.
The coyotes didn't leave until 1 of the groups came back from their little mission. And no one believed me until they looked down and saw the whole area covered in tracks, and the dusty footprints all over the car I was in.
I also had 1 coyote come up behind me while I was fishing at a local river. When I turned around it was right there staring at me. But I quickly realized that it wanted me to move. Because the reason I was standing there was the same reason it wanted to be there, it was the spot that got closest to the water
Other-Educator-9399@reddit
Coyotes are fairly common here in California. They will eat small pets, but they don't usually bother people. Rattlesnakes are also fairly common. You do have to watch your step on some hiking trails, especially in the warmer months when they sun themselves out in the open. They do not attack unprovoked, but they do camouflage themselves well. If you do get bitten, your chances of survival are pretty good with prompt medical attention.
DannyBones00@reddit
Entirely dependent on area.
In Appalachia, my buddy had coyotes wipe out a feral cat colony on his land and kill all his chickens. They’re brutal. They’ll massacre stuff just for fun.
We’re in the process of compromising them to a permanent end.
SugarCookie197@reddit
Suburban chicago , we have coyotes that have miraculously managed to survive the destruction of their habitats, paved over the prairie and forests, blocked off the streams and rivers. Yes they will eat what they can - rabbits, mice, cats, We also have owls and hawks that try to eat the same animals. We have zero snakes, we used to have harmless snakes but everyone loved to stomp and chop up snakes because of fairy tales so our little snakes have all died off.
ilovjedi@reddit
I live in the forest now. I saw more coyotes growing up in Chicago. There are coyotes in Maine but they have more places to hide.
I haven’t seen a wild rattle snake. I think of them as being out west, on the other side of the Mississippi River.
No_Body_675@reddit
Living in a state that is an East Coast state, as far as I know, we don’t have rattlesnakes. The only snake species I’ve seen, I think are garter snakes.
I do have a cousin whose dog was attacked by a coyote in Poughkeepsie, NY. (The dog survived but did require stitches.)
I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen one or not.
evil_burrito@reddit
Rattlesnakes are mostly a hazard to your dumbass dogs that want to sniff them. This is a rural problem, mostly in the west.
Coyotes are a danger to cats and smaller dogs, again, mostly in rural areas.
sharkaub@reddit
Problem? Not much of one. Encounters? Often- we hike and camp a lot, so my kids are familiar with rattlers and know to give them a wide berth to be safe, just like I did. Coyotes are the opposite, though- they've done amazingly well adapting to people, so we tend to run into those on the edges of neighborhoods. Occasionally growing up, outdoor recess would get canceled because of a coyote sighting, and today we have a field on the west end of our neighborhood where we know to check around before letting the dogs roam too far because of the resident coyote. We're personally in the middle of the neighborhood and our dogs are big, so leaving them outside hasn't been an issue, but we wouldn't feel safe leaving, for instance, a cat or small dog outside overnight. Even our state's capital city sees them every once in a while.
Flimsy-Owl-8888@reddit
we have coyotes go through our backyard at night sometimes, and they have eerie howls like crying ghosts...it's rather spooky sounding and if they hear a police or ambulance siren in the distance, they will start this high pitched cries, as if it is another group of coyotes...I like them.
WyndWoman@reddit
I live in Arizona, I hear coyotes most every day and see them regularly. I don't bother them and they return the courtesy.
Rattlesnakes are also common. I walk with a stick, and watch where I'm walking. I don't reach into a space i can't see into, without poking with a stick. Again, they will withdraw given the chance.
jrwwoollff@reddit
Same theory when I lived in Nevada
jrwwoollff@reddit
Depends on state south west see em everyday, you ignore them they ignore you. Pacific north west some thing
The_silver_sparrow@reddit
Depends on where you live, however coyotes are becoming more and more of a problem in a lot of urban areas.
Fox_Supremacist@reddit
I mean I have coyotes that live on my property and it pisses off my neighbors as their cats keep getting eaten and I won’t do anything about the coyotes. They were here before me and they will remain after I’m gone. I leave them alone and they leave me alone, same thing applies to the rattlesnakes.
TrueInky@reddit
I mean, they’re around! Coyotes don’t pose a danger to humans but can hunt pets and livestock. Rattlesnakes are not our only venomous snake, so it’s best to generally be cautious around habitats snakes like. When encountered I just enjoy them from a distance or carefully move them away from populated areas.
winteriscoming9099@reddit
Very much depends on the area. I had no rattlesnakes, but there would be occasional coyotes that I would have to watch for, especially when I had my small dogs.
jdayl@reddit
As far as I know coyotes are able to live anywhere in the country, but there are areas that don't have rattlesnakes. I grew up in a rattlesnake free area but I know a lot of people who lost cats and chickens to coyotes, most of the time you don't even see them they are pretty stealthy.
droppingatruce@reddit
Rattlesnakes usually are in places where humans are scarce. That being said there are exceptions. Growing up in LA both coyotes and rattlesnakes were an issue. There was a story of a woman that woke up to what she thought was a murder scene on her front lawn, but was really a cat that had fallen victim to a coyote. This was more normal on the North side of LA like Glendora where my cousins lived, we lived in Monrovia and Montclair on the Southern side of LA and didn't see coyotes. When we left LA when I was 4 our dog was left with my parent's friends who lived closer to the desert. Our dog was bitten by a rattlesnake a year later and passed. Where I live on the outskirts of the Greater Houston area, we are in an area that is largely ranch land, but is being quickly developed. We still have coyotes, and they are more active with the development pushing them out. However, I don't see them much anymore and suspect they will move on soon. I've never seen a rattlesnake outside of a zoo/reptile exhibit and I've traveled through much of their habitat. They are actually quite timid snakes.
droppingatruce@reddit
Edit: I will add that I've been to parts of New Mexico that have large coyote populations. There was a significant colony near where I camped one time in Santa Fe. This was in Boy Scouts and our Scoutmasters used a coyote call to mess with us. We'd never heard the call before, nor heard the sheer number of coyote howls we heard that night. My parents retired in the mountains East of Albuquerque and if your cat gets out it is a good bet it isn't coming back. You also keep your dog leashes and in your yard for its own good.
Notquite_Caprogers@reddit
I live in southern California, I've seen both at some point. Rattlesnakes usually don't bug people too much but my dad and I had a few close encounters on hikes. We knew they were in the area and that seeing them was a possibility, I followed his lead and slowly but swiftly went around them. Years before that though a rattle snake did end up in my older brother's desert backyard and bit his dog, the dog didn't make it but the snake wasn't able to get my baby (at the time) niece because of it.
Coyotes I've luckily had less direct encounters with, other than my dad bringing a few back from hunting and seeing them while driving home from work at 2am. One time though I did see one in town in the wilderness preserve the one time I walked there. It ran off as soon as I tried to get my phone to take a picture.
Ok_Orchid1004@reddit
I’ve lived here almost 70 years. Never had one “problem” with either.
mtngrl60@reddit
We had coyotes in neighborhoods in the greater Phoenix area. And rattlesnakes are just one of those things you have to watch out for.
Both coyotes and rattlesnakes are pretty common across the Western United States.
And rattlesnakes are pretty much around in most parts of the United States. There are a lot of types of rattlesnakes.
But overall, they don’t bother you. You just have to understand their behaviors… For example, if it’s been cold and you’re coming into spring or early summer, expect them to be out sunning themselves until they warmed up enough to be moving around.
And if it’s hot, they’re likely to be in the shade. Remember. They’re a reptile. So they don’t have the regulatory mechanisms that mammals do.
Torchic336@reddit
I live in rural Iowa so they are not a problem at all. I did have some run ins with coyotes while camping in San Diego. It’s super regional
ExpatSajak@reddit
I have no issues with them, some of my best friends are coyotes and rattlesnakes
crdemars@reddit
I lost a cat to a coyote and I lived in the suburbs at the time.
Blubbernuts_@reddit
Northern California, my son was bitten by a rattlesnake when he was 4. My friends grandpa was bitten by a rattlesnake when I was a kid. Not very common. But it does happen. My son was in pediatric ICU for two weeks and nearly lost his leg.
Funny thing, California state parks sent their snake guy to my house to talk about the incident and to make sure he didn't grow up afraid of snakes. He told me that men are almost always bitten in the hands or face while women and children are bitten in the legs and feet.
YetiBot@reddit
Southern California here. Lots of both. Pets are coyote food if you let them outside alone at night. Since the fires in Los Angeles, they’ve become really desperate, so I’ve even seen them in human neighborhoods in the daytime, which I never did before. They’re still wary of humans, but lots of my neighbors have started carrying baseball bats or heavy flashlights when they walk their dogs just in case.
Rattlesnakes you see sometimes while hiking. As long as you leave them alone and are careful not to step on them, they leave you alone.
minamooshie@reddit
I will always jump in the air when I hear that sound 😅 doesn’t matter how many times it happens. Built into our dna
minamooshie@reddit
coyotes patrol through our very well developed apartment complex most nights and there are rattlesnakes just off the property if you hike/walk nearby trails. It’s a present concern but one that is easy to manage
AluminumCansAndYarn@reddit
We very very occasionally have to deal with a coyote in the suburbs. I don't know if I've ever seen one though. I have seen a fox exactly once, from a distance. Ive never had to deal with a rattlesnake and I don't think my area will ever have rattlesnakes.
1Negative_Person@reddit
Essentially zero problem. Coyotes pose no real risk to humans. About five people per year die from rattlesnake bites in the US.
Kitzle33@reddit
In Michigan. Were very afraid of our little dog being outside alone due to coyotes. No fear of rattlesnakes whatsoever (thought there are a few in Michigan). Overall, neither are really a thing.
Potential_Job_7297@reddit
Neither are a big deal where I am. If you have small pets don't let them out unattended after dark or you are rolling dice with coyotes. During the day it is t a concern here though it definitely is in other parts of the country.
Rattlers do exist but are pretty uncommon.
woolyskully@reddit
I live in a city so we don't really have coyotes or rattlesnakes but weirdly we do have mountain lions. They occasionally take people's pets.
IanDOsmond@reddit
Massachusetts has very small, isolated populations of copperheads and rattlesnakes in a couple counties. They are both endangered and I would be more worried about hurting one than them hurting me. I would keep my distance from them for both reasons, of course – I have no desire to be bitten by a venomous snake, but they aren't in my part of the state and you aren't going to encounter them unless you are hiking in a nature area where they are protected.
Coyotes, we don't have problems with so long as you don't have outdoor pets. They don't approach humans, but they will eat your cat. I live in a city and rarely see them, but not never. There have been a couple times when I was driving at 2 or 3 in the morning, and I saw one cross the street. The ones around here are Eastern coyotes, which are a mix of coyote, wolf, and dog, and just look like medium-sized dogs. The main visual difference is in how they move, not what they look like. They hold their tail completely differently, and walk closer to the ground, but you can mistake them for dogs.
KingTrencher@reddit
Cartoons told me that rattlesnakes and quicksand would be a much larger problem then they actually turned out to be.
MuscaMurum@reddit
I see coyotes almost every week in the city of Los Angeles.
Friendly_Hope7726@reddit
Doesn’t everyone have coyotes & rattlesnakes? At least west of the Mississippi.
SirRatcha@reddit
My brother and I ran from a rattlesnake that was coiled and rattling when I was three. The neighbor killed it with a hoe. I haven’t seen one since and that was in 1969.
00Lisa00@reddit
Coyotes may take pets but they’re really not a problem for humans and only in more rural areas. Rattlesnakes are only in a few snakes and unless you surprise them they usually just slither away
SunShine365-@reddit
Most states have rattlesnakes. (31 states).
SunShine365-@reddit
Coyotes are more of a problem than rattlesnakes. They take small pets and livestock. Rattlesnakes are around, but don’t really want to interact.
1_________________11@reddit
Lost a few cats
therealDrPraetorius@reddit
I've only seen them in zoos and movies.
Picklesadog@reddit
I was out with my friend and his dog, a big black brindle lab-pit mix, in Portland, OR one day and we ended up talking to this older guy.
"I had a dog just like that. He was a wonderful dog. We used to go fishing and he'd always be off trying to fight the coyotes. But one day there were too many, and by the time I got there it was too late."
"That's horrible! How long did you have him for?"
"A year. I got him when he was a pup."
Humans aren't really at risk from coyotes, but pets in areas with a lot of coyotes can be killed, even large dogs. And this isn't restricted to rural areas; San Francisco is full of coyotes.
Rattlesnakes really, really don't want to bite. That is why they rattle. If you hear them rattle, you freeze, look around you, maybe stomp your feet, and then slowly keep going. I've three close encounters, in California and in New Mexico.
I've met many people who have lost pets to coyotes, but I've never met anyone who was bit by a rattlesnake.
cool_weed_dad@reddit
Rattlesnakes exist where I live but they’re so rare you’ll almost certainly never encounter one
Coyotes are common and you’ll hear them howling but I’ve never heard of anyone having a bad encounter with one, they’re generally afraid of humans. Farmers do have issues with them attacking their livestock and poultry.
Gonna_do_this_again@reddit
I live in very rural Arizona. I get what would probably be considered a higher number than average for rattlesnakes. I've had 20+ in the 3 years I've been here on my property, but I'm not sure how many were repeats. I don't have outdoor animals or children, and there is a lot of rodents in the desert, so I just move them to somewhere else on my property. Free rodent control that keeps things interesting. I've also got a gopher snake I let live in the garage and a couple of hognose around.
There is a TON of coyotes. They howl from every direction, it's a bit unsettling. I've never had a problem with them because I don't mess with them, but they're always killing people's animals. They are nasty in packs. I don't go walking around my property late at night by myself much, and if I do I'm armed.
One-Hat-9887@reddit
Coyotes literally run around the streets and i live inner city in southern california lol close enough to deserts
Aroused_Sloth@reddit
It’s pretty common around here (SoCal) for small pets to get killed by coyotes if they’re outdoor animals. Lost a few cats that way.
Snakes I see less often but they’re definitely around. Most likely you’ll see them on hiking trails or anywhere that’s open dirt. And while most people can avoid them, they’re also hard to spot if you’re not actively keeping an eye out.
Foreverforgettable@reddit
I grew up in a major city and live in a suburb of that city. We do not have rattlesnakes but we have a thriving coyote population. It’s been studied. They live in the city and the surrounding suburbs, and further into the more dispersed areas like farms. Most people don’t realize there are coyotes around. They’re really good at being stealthy with their movements. You rarely see them moving about during the daytime. Most of them do not approach humans. (Some idiot people have desensitized some coyotes-I’m not happy about that because a wild animal that is accustomed to approaching humans is more likely to get into trouble and possibly end up euthanized.) It is best not to allow pets outside alone after dark to keep interactions with all wildlife to a minimum.
The other main predators to be concerned about in my area are birds of prey. Where I live (again city and surrounding areas) there are a lot of resident birds of prey. We have many different hawks, owls, falcons, even bald eagles and herons. Leaving a small pet alone outside even during the day is NOT a good idea. Some of my neighbors have had hawks and other birds of prey circling overhead when their smaller dogs are in their gardens.
Cptn_Jib@reddit
I mean, i have had to kill a rattlesnake in the yard. And my dog has barked at coyotes. But no huge daily issues or anything
Shoshawi@reddit
I’ve heard about it a decent bit, specifically coyotes while living in Georgia, but I’ve never encountered either in the wild, or been close enough to a specific story to remember it. I’ve lived in Florida and in Georgia. We have other snakes species, though.
animepuppyluvr@reddit
My grandma used to get cats. She'd get one, let it roam outside whenever it wanted, and after a day or two it'd be gone and never come back. So the following week shed get another. This went on for like 4 or 5 cats until my dad forbade her from getting more because those cats didnt deserve to be bobcat/mountain lion/coyote/bird of prey food.
Magical_Olive@reddit
It definitely depends on where you live. I used to live in Northern Nevada where we had both, but I never encountered any rattlesnakes. It was definitely something you were told to be aware of if you went out to the desert areas. My grandparents did have a rattlesnake get into their garage once when they lived in Southern California back in the 70s though. Coyotes are pretty common in a lot of areas, but they tend to be small and not that scary, I'd see them walk around outside my apartment near San Francisco.
Quix66@reddit
There are some coyotes in my area though they are not native to the area. I've never seen one near our house and I don't think ever. I wouldn't necessarily think about them.
Now rattlers are a different story. We've had those snakes on our porch more than once. There are venomous copperheads and cottonmouths in the area too as well as some non-venomous snakes.
Recently, there was a black bear in the area a few miles from our house that stuck around for days. It went into people's yards before possibly moving north away from us.
Mediocre_Ad_6020@reddit
I live in the Midwest so I've never seen a rattlesnake in the wild where I live. There are definitely coyotes around and I've seen them on our security cameras/heard them in the suburbs where I live but they haven't caused any issues. Seen them in person/been pretty close to them at our cabin, but again, they haven't caused us any issues. But we have big dogs and keep our cats inside...
Bluemonogi@reddit
I do hear coyotes sometimes. I have not had any issues with them coming close.
I have not seen a rattlesnake although there are 4 types of rattlesnake found in my state.
Scottland83@reddit
Coyotes are mostly a rural concern though they have been known to make their way into suburbs when climate changes or if they’re chased-out by road construction or otherwise loss of habitat. Not a big problem for most of us though I live in the suburbs in California and my roommate claimed he saw a fox on our front porch. I’ve never seen a fox here my entire life.
kimjong_unsbarber@reddit
There are a lot of coyotes where I live now (Northern California), but they've never bothered me. I have a smallish dog and I worry about her and the wildlife here, but we haven't had any issues. I used to see signs warning of rattlesnakes when I lived in Southern CA, but I've never actually seen any.
spagootrz@reddit
I live in the suburbs of Southern California near the hills and we have coyotes pretty frequently in our neighborhood. I’ve seen them a few times in the morning when walking the kids to school. They’re often skinny and mangey. I suspect as the area continues to develop more they are getting edged out of their homes. Never heard of any attacks on humans but have heard of them attacking small pets and possums
psychocabbage@reddit
Coyotes here nightly. I'm rural in east Texas.
EvaisAchu@reddit
When I lived with my parents in rural Texas, both were fairly common. We just utilized tools and tricks to make both stay away from our yard. Walking in the pastures is an entirely different story but it is what it is. They are animals that have their place and they do tend to stay away from anything that might hurt them out of instinct.
majikrat69@reddit
In so cal we have coyotes, rattlesnakes, mountain lion, bob cats, deer, foxes. It’s pretty wild.
LikelyNotSober@reddit
City/Suburbs: most people would freak out if they saw a snake. Same with coyotes.
Fast_Walrus_8692@reddit
We live peacefully together. Our cats stay inside and we have BIG dogs in a fenced yard. The yotes could get in if they wanted to, but in 30 years they have not. Rattlers don't want anything to do with people. On the rare occasion we see one, we give it a wide berth.
LunaZelda0714@reddit
I've lived in various parts of Phoenix/Scottsdale/Gilbert, AZ for 44 years and while on hikes over the years I have seen: 1 rattlesnake, 1 Gila monster, & a javelina family (4). Then at least 10 coyotes randomly in neighborhoods and 2 scorpions in my house.
Inquirous@reddit
My friend chased a coyote that had his cat in its mouth a bit ago :/ pretty fucked up, we loved that cat so much, she was amazing. SoCal
HazelEBaumgartner@reddit
Just a funny anecdote, about a decade ago I spent an entire summer in Texas and did a whole bunch of hiking and didn't see a single rattlesnake the entire time I was there. Drove up to Colorado and pulled off at a scenic overlook right at the Colorado/New Mexico state line, hopped over the guardrail and walked down to a cluster of trees to go pee because I'd been holding it for nearly an hour, and nearly stepped on a rattlesnake on my way back. Took this picture so you could see how well he blends in to his environment.
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fauh4s7psdbwe1.png
No_Perspective_242@reddit
Depends on what part of the country you live in. I’ve seen one in the wild once or twice in 40 years where i live
Winwookiee@reddit
Growing up in Michigan, we could hear coyotes at night, but never really had any issues from them. There is a Michigan rattlesnake, but its pretty rare. I'm not even sure if I know anyone personally that's seen one. I'm not sure how potent they are either, might be one that a bite would definitely not feel good, but not necessarily have a high risk of death.
The Southwest is a different story.
Regular-Message9591@reddit
My husband might just be unlucky but, as a teen, he was bitten by a rattlesnake, and last year, our dog got snatched by a coyote.
JuanG_13@reddit
Where I live we don't have a problem with snakes, but we do have coyotes and although you hardly ever see them, you do hear them howling most nights during the spring and summer seasons.
lula6@reddit
We lost chickens but I think to foxes, not coyotes. I've seen a rattlesnake in the wild once on the first hot spring day, sunning itself on a trail. It was very freaked out to see us and we turned around and went back the way we came.
So exactly zero problems.
cheridontllosethatno@reddit
Literally thousands of rattlesnakes here a ranger shared, almost stepped on one hiking not looking down, our fault, and coyotes are spotted frequently. I don't feel either one are after me but that we're sharing the land.
Xarysa@reddit
In California Coyotes aren't a huge issue in most of the state, although in select regions they are much more prominent and annoying.
Rattlesnakes on the other hand, are fucking everywhere. We have like 10 species, they are found on some manner just about anywhere in the state, and in certain areas pose significant danger. Something like 800 people get struck a year.
tn00bz@reddit
Coyotes are not very big. They're mostly a pest for people in the country. They'll eat your chickens. Rattlesnakes mostly just want to be left alone. I've walked by them on trails several times, and they never do a thing.
Forsaken_Ad_1626@reddit
Rattlesnakes either leave you alone, or very much do not leave you alone
Sad_Kaleidoscope894@reddit
Rattlesnakes if theyre in your area are no joke. One bit my grandpa was pretty serious luckily got to a hospital. My family has had to cut the head off of a couple that found a small space they liked near my home as a kid. If youre a dumb kid who plays everywhere outside you run into a couple from time to time
Coyotes in the same area killed a few of my cats. They pose no threat to humans. A 12 year olds kick has enough force to break all its ribs. They don’t mess with you.
RoryDragonsbane@reddit
Idk how buried this will get in the other comments, but to clarify, there are now TWO species of coyote in the US
The first was the Western Coyote. They've always been problematic towards pets and livestock in rural areas.
The second is the Eastern Coyote. They first started to appear in the 1930s and 40s, pretty much as wolves were being extirpated in those areas. They're actually a hybrid species, with Western coyote, wolf, and domestic dog DNA. As such, they're much bigger and more social than their Western counterparts.
Both Western and Eastern varieties can be Urban Coyotes. They usually keep a low profile, but can become habituated to people and show less fear (I suspect this is more common in the east due to their dog DNA). They are found in LA, Philadelphia, Chicago, and practically every minor and major city, including New York City.
Predations of pets are common, but attacks on humans are very rare given their large population, with only 2 known deaths, one a toddler, but 1 adult woman in Canada. You're far more likely to get bitten or even killed by a dog, stray or otherwise.
Personally, I find their evolution and adaptation to new environments fascinating. Here is a neat video from the Smithsonian.
Forsaken_Ad_1626@reddit
That’s entirely dependent on where you are.
Rural Great Plains? They’ll snag chickens and small pets and such if you aren’t careful. There was an open season on coyotes back home, at least when I was growing up. Shoot as many as you wanted. Coyotes are one of the few animals whose range is actually expanding.
Downtown Miami? Nah
GraceMDrake@reddit
Keep your cats indoors and eyes on your dogs when they’re out. Small dogs are easy prey for them, but even larger dogs can be lured into dangerous situations.
notyogrannysgrandkid@reddit
I have both on my property, but wouldn’t consider either to be a problem.
Key-Possibility-5200@reddit
In rural NM my son had a very close call with a rattlesnake and my dad had an uncle who died from a snakebite back in the 1940’s
TankDestroyerSarg@reddit
I have coyotes all around me. They are not an issue for me at all, but I'm constantly getting alerts from nervous Nelly neighbors about OMG! Coyotes!! We don't really have rattlesnakes around here.
HayTX@reddit
Shot a coyote off my porch once and a few feral hogs. Not so much with rattle snakes but along the river we will get some timber rattlers that float down.
FuckIPLaw@reddit
Coyotes are still rare for my neck of the woods, but snakes aren't. Including venemous ones, although rattlesnakes are less common than cottonmouths and coral snakes.
The thing is, snakes leave you alone if you leave them alone, and they eat other things you also don't want around. Unfortunately, the average person doesn't understand that. I had an idiot handyman report a non-venemous snake that's from a species that's been known to eat the venemous ones (along with other household pests -- black racers are really good to have around in general) to my landlord as a pest control issue.
Fortunately they're corporate slumlords age didn't care, but still. That guy has a problem with snakes, even snakes that are the opposite of a problem. I'm sure he probably kills them on sight in his own yard, and I hate that people do that. He was literally worried about getting bitten by a snake that doesn't have venom glands.
silviazbitch@reddit
We’re in a semirural area- roughly even mix of residential, forest and farm land within a mile of our house. We often hear coyotes but rarely see them. We’ve had a number of feral cats take up residence in our barn. Few have lasted long. Domestic cats are smack in the middle of the food chain. There are plenty of small birds and rodents for them to eat, but also plenty of predators to eat them. Coyotes are #1, but our other wild neighbors include foxes, fishers, bobcats and owls, all of whom are happy to eat any cats they can catch. 🙀
I’ve seen a couple of water moccasins and lots of non-venomous snakes near our house, but no rattlesnakes yet. They’re out there though. Our son’s a rock climber. He’s seen rattlesnakes at one of the popular climbing cliffs a couple of towns over, one of which is actually named Rattlesnake Mountain. They’re definitely something climbers and hikers watch for in our part of the state, but not really an issue for the rest of us.
ThirdSunRising@reddit
I wouldn’t call it problems.
I’ve ridden my mountain bike too close to a rattlesnake. Nothing happened. It’s not like they’re coming after you or anything. You’re a danger to them. They’re only a danger to you after you threaten them.
We have coyotes in my current neighborhood. Outdoor cats are in great danger when the coyotes come. Coyotes are mainly nocturnal so there’s not much chance your small dog will be out loose wandering at that hour, but if you’ve got an outdoor cat that’s another matter.
Fortunately they make a ton of noise, so if your cat isn’t stupid it’ll just come inside.
Last time the coyotes came through, the cat was coming back in at the same time as our 40kg hunting dog was heading out to see what the ruckus was. Ain’t no coyote gonna mess with old Roscoe. And in that moment, the cat realized why we have a dog. They’ve gotten along much better since.
DaProfezur@reddit
I live in Northeast Pa, we have both, the snakes usually aren't that bad unless you're up on newly cleared land or in their habitat, easy to steer clear. Coyotes also not much to worry about unless you live near wilderness and have pets that you let outside without backup.
Chewiedozier567@reddit
I live in a rural area, there are both rattlesnakes and coyotes around me, but I see rattlesnakes more often, especially if it’s dry and they’re looking for water.
Shallot_Belt@reddit
Coyotes and roadrunners feuds are a threat. One painted a fake highway on a mountain and I crashed into it
ApprehensiveAnswer5@reddit
I live right in the city, in Texas, and we see coyotes out on our morning walk most days.
They have adapted to the urban environment here, and while still “wild” animals, you will also see them do things like watch and wait for cars to clear the road before crossing and whatnot.
We also have bobcats too. I physically see them a lot less often, but my cameras catch them at night fairly regularly.
I have never encountered a rattlesnake before.
caffeinebump@reddit
I love the coyotes, because in Austin they are the only ones trying to keep the feral cat population under control. We just saw one near the airport this week.
I've only seen a rattlesnake once, in Bastrop. It was crossing a path I was riding my bike on. I stopped short of it, thank goodness, and it carried on its way.
I've seen wild tarantulas twice, same with black widow spiders. I'll never get used to scorpions or the huge cockroaches. Don't even get me started on Texas redheaded centipedes.
PowerfulScholar8605@reddit
Coyotes are very common in lots of rural areas around the country (including where I live). Rattle snakes are less common.
bluecrowned@reddit
They exist but they mostly avoid humans in my area
PoxyMusic@reddit
I’ve lived my entire life in CA, running around the hills in Marin County as a kid, and now walking daily in south OC canyons. This week I saw my first rattlesnake in the wild.
They don’t bother you at all if you don’t step on them, and they warn you first! I mean, that’s pretty reasonable.
DrTriage@reddit
Sister lived on a farm in N Florida, had several rattlers. Chayotes are a problem in every state, we live in a nice suburb with lakes and green space; found chayote scat in my backyard! And one got a porch cat.
Bakelite51@reddit
Coyotes try and visit my backyard every night. We built a fence partly to keep them out (and away from our dog).
Rattlesnakes are around, but generally don't make a nuisance of themselves. I will kill a rattler if I catch one rattling at our pets but otherwise leave them alone.
I'm an arborist, so I encounter rattlesnakes on various work sites occasionally. I try to give them a wide berth.
nosidrah@reddit
None where I live. We have a current bumper crop of copperheads but they tend to keep to themselves. We have coyotes a couple of miles from here near the river but they haven’t infiltrated our neighborhood yet. As they increase in numbers they may venture out into our area.
Weekly_March@reddit
The real question is how many coyotes do you think you could take in a life or death fight ?
humpthedog@reddit
I’ve killed 8 in western Pennsylvania this year
Happy_Confection90@reddit
Timber rattlers are supposed to be the only venomous snake in New Hampshire, but they are rare and I don't know anyone who claims to have ever seen one in wild.
Coyotes, on the other hand, are seen often. I had one in my yard one winter afternoon a few years back and was glad that it only seemed to be passing through.
Setsailshipwreck@reddit
I hear a pack of coyotes pretty much every night. They kill the neighbors barn cats on a regular basis and also got all their chickens. They don’t bother my dogs but then again my dogs are big and I also don’t give the coyotes an opportunity to interact with them.
Rattlesnakes were all over where I lived in California. Saw them on my property constantly, even had one get into the ductwork of the house one time. Had another bite one of my dogs once too. Dog survived with vet care. I like snakes so I could catch and relocate them myself pretty easily. They were something to be aware of but aside from the one that bit my dog, they weren’t necessarily an issue. Since I’ve moved to east Texas I haven’t seen one.
International_Ad2712@reddit
I had a baby coyote right up by my bedroom door yesterday. Coyotes live on our land, so we see them most days. I killed a baby rattlesnake outside my pool a few months ago, we usually come across a few every year. Southern California
boragur@reddit
I don’t really encounter rattlesnakes that often but copperheads are pretty common where I live
MossiestSloth@reddit
I've lived in eastern Washington state for the last 19 years. We have a ton of both of them. I don't really have to worry about coyotes since both of my dogs are 80lbs. There two groups of coyotes that they're actually friends with, they even played with the coyote pups of one of them while the mom just sat and watched. There is one area that I will never trust the pack of coyotes that live there due to the sole reason that I pulled up to a stoplight and one of them was sitting at the corner and waited for the light to change before crossing the road at the cross walk. Those ones are too smart for me to trust.
Rattlesnakes are also all over the place but they tend to stick more to the outskirts of the cities and nature preserves. I did have to move a couple before the city built out more since they would wander into our yard. But as long as you leave them alone they're harmless.
Up2nogud13@reddit
I lost my coyote to a pack of feral dogs. 😢
CrimsonDawn236@reddit
Not one.
YourIgnoranceOurPain@reddit
Absolutely zero in a major city of South Carolina.
Y’all really don’t understand how big our cities, states, and country is do you?
JMS1991@reddit
I live near a major city in SC, and you can definitely get coyotes roaming around in the city and killing small animals.
YourIgnoranceOurPain@reddit
I did amend my statement for Greenville. Columbia and Charleston proper have zero issues with coyotes. I can absolutely see parts of Greenville having issues though.
FreckledTidepool@reddit
I wish this were true about the SC cities -Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. We definitely have coyotes, you just haven’t seen them yet.
YourIgnoranceOurPain@reddit
Greenville I could honestly see. No part of Columbia or Charleston proper are you getting coyotes.
FreckledTidepool@reddit
Coyotes in Charleston
Feel free to look into how insanely adaptive and smart coyotes are, because they’re your neighbors in all 46 of our counties, rural, suburban, and urban.
I’ve seen them in dt Greenville and Columbia. They’ve been in the news in Charleston in the last 6+ months, and increasingly over the last year.
I wish you were correct, because I think they’re creepy and a nuisance, but believe SCDNR’s stats, they’re everywhere.
YourIgnoranceOurPain@reddit
Nice to see you picked a pro coyote article and ignored the city proper that I referenced.
Spirited-Mess170@reddit
The last couple months there’s a young coyote roaming the streets and looking for mice in the green belt next to our house. They help to keep the feral cat population and the occasional young raccoon No venomous snakes in Western Washington.
Suspicious-Sorbet-32@reddit
I only let my small dog outside without me if she is accompanied by my Rottweiler because of coyotes. No rattlesnakes where I live but when I'm in rattlesnake territory I mind where I walk and wear boots. I used to bring my old dog because she was amazing at spotting snakes but she's dead now and I haven't taken my Rottweiler to those areas yet.
EonJaw@reddit
Seen some Diamondbacks around NorCal, up around Shasta National Forest and thereabouts. Also up around low-water campsite in Yolo just by the Colusa border. (Some superblooms some years if you head West from there.) Likely around Folsom Lake, too, though I haven't personally seen any there. More coyotes than rattlers near the rivers in Sacramento. In Shasta, more likely to run across a bear than a coyote.
Sethaman@reddit
I mean they are around. You see them from time to time. The occasional chicken or cat gets eaten by them. But no buggy
Decent-Apple9772@reddit
That’s very location and lifestyle dependent.
Coyotes aren’t directly dangerous to most people with the exception of small children. You do have to be aware of protecting cats, chickens and small dogs though. They are generally viewed as cute and a fun surprise to see by city people. They’re generally viewed as a nuisance and a pest by country people.
Rattlesnakes are a hazard but rarely a life threatening one even if you are bit. Easy to kill with a shovel or the smallest firearms. Easy to clean and cook. Easy to just walk away from.
Kestrel_Iolani@reddit
I've encountered exactly two rattlesnakes in my life, both near salt lake city.
forested_morning43@reddit
Coyotes are more widespread than rattlesnakes, including presence in minor cities.
MamaLlama629@reddit
Depends on the area. Rattle snakes are only a problem in desert climates. I live in a lush green valley. No rattlers till I cross the mountain ranges. Coyotes are kind of everywhere though.
DegenerateCrocodile@reddit
Coyotes will attack small pets and potentially small children if they’re unattended, so we need to keep an eye on them. Fortunately, coyotes are also relatively small compared to an adult human, so they tend to keep their distance if possible. They aren’t afraid of wandering into neighborhoods in search of food, however. I’ve seen several wandering around my area while on evening walks without issue.
Rattlesnakes don’t seek out people (obviously), but they do seek out shelter, which makes it important to be aware of your surroundings. I’ve personally never seen a rattlesnake in the 20 I’ve lived in areas that they’re near. They were undoubtedly there, they just kept to themselves.
GillyMermaid@reddit
Coyotes are a huge problem here. You have to be very careful with your pets. Even If you have a dog that’s larger, coyotes will target them by acting like they want to play. They’ll lure them out and then their pack will attack.
Some areas even need to watch out for mountain lions. They’re not a problem here, but my cousin needs to carry a gun with her even when she walks around her own property.
D-Alembert@reddit
Hiking, we stumbled into some giant nest or bedding ground for rattlesnakes. We only saw a few (it's scary how hard to see they are in the ground cover even when you're within stepping distance!) but their shed skins were everywhere. We very carefully left as quickly as we felt was safe.
Found a park ranger to ask about it, and he was all "wow, you're very lucky to get to see a rattlesnake in the wild like that!"
NOT HELPFUL! :)
Not all of us can be Steve Irwin :)
xtremesmok@reddit
Both are abundant in New Mexico. More likely to see a coyote but rattlesnakes are definitely out there.
AuraCrash78@reddit
I can't let the cats out (with supervision!) due to the damn bald eagles....so they are a bigger problem. Rattlesnakes are around in some qty, but they want to leave you alone. We do have coyotes local....but their okay.
SquidsArePeople2@reddit
I’ve lived in rattlesnake country for 30 years. Never seen one and I hike in the desert all the time.
Coyotes, sure, we see them occasionally. They’re a nuisance to people who farm or raise animals, bad for outdoor pets, etc.
TacticalFailure1@reddit
I run into rattle snakes and copperheads all the time hiking lol. Coyotes stay away from humans mostly.
mrpointyhorns@reddit
I have coyotes and snakes near me. Never see the snakes near my home but on trails I have.
There are enough bunnies that the coyotes are fine, but sometimes they den within a mile of me with pups. We can hear them at night.
elqueco14@reddit
Most people will never see a rattle snake in the wild and will only see coyotes from a distance. If you own chickens or some kind of smaller livestock both snakes and coyotes can be a problem, but other than that it's extremely rare to cross paths with either
tasukiko@reddit
Just be careful when you are out hiking. I've seen about 4 or 5 rattle snakes over my lifetime. Basically if you see it just back away slowly and wait. It should leave and then you can proceed.
nimnor@reddit
There was some coyotes spotted in my area a about 2 years ago and I haven't heard anything since and for the rattlesnakes oddly enough I recently learned this as well but there are is a species of Rattlesnake in NJ called the timber Rattlesnake which is sadly endangered and I have yet to see one
Christymapper71@reddit
Coyotes are a big problem here in Southern California suburbs if you have small pets who go outside. I see them all the time on my walks even in fairly densely occupied neighborhood areas and hear about issues with them even around people. Rattlesnakes not so much. They tend to be more an issue in open spaced, non occupied areas and do not go near people in general, like the high desert for example. I have never seen one except in a zoo.
dr-tectonic@reddit
It depends on what you mean by "problem".
One summer a coyote made a den under a porch in our neighborhood and had pups, so for a little while it was "when you walk your pets outside, don't go over that way." But then they left.
At work, we occasionally get emails saying "don't go out the back door, a rattlesnake was spotted on the path behind the building." And then a few hours later it's gone.
So they can cause situations that you need to be aware of and react to, but they're generally not a big deal.
(We live in a suburb of Denver, but there's open space nearby where critters live. And my work is up in the foothills, a bit separated from all the nearby development.)
Impossible_Memory_65@reddit
No rattlesnakes where I live, but lots of coyote. I hear them more than I see them. Occasionally one will cross my yard, be he's no threat. Humans don't have to worry so much about getting attacked by a coyote. But even rattlesnakes will give you a warning. It's surprising them that gets you in trouble.... same with black bears. We have them too.
MmmIceCreamSoBAD@reddit
depends where you are. The most population dense areas of the US don't even see rattlesnakes. Hawaii has scorpions. Alaska has polar bears.
I live in Illinois. We have coyotes. A danger to small pets though honestly I've never heard a story personally about a friend or family member having an issue. Usually the largest fauna related problem is running into seer with your car by accident when going fast. Might sound silly or cruel but those dumb fuckers run out in front of your car along a tree line leaving you milliseconds, or no time at all, to react.
AZJHawk@reddit
My grandma hit a deer 40 years ago driving us from Chicago to western Illinois. I live in AZ now and they definitely get pets. You see missing pet posters up by the mail boxes all the time.
MmmIceCreamSoBAD@reddit
I dont blame her. I've never hit a deer but I've had a few times where it was the luck of the draw and they cleared my car.
Dog_lover123456789@reddit
My dogs are large enough to keep the coyotes at bay. But I totally busted my ‘mumma’ dog playing with pups once 😂. Rattlesnakes can be a problem if we haven’t been to our property for some time. Once we’re there, they tend to stay away. We’ve only had one summer that they were very present and many neighbors had issues
Breklin76@reddit
WE’RE OVER RUN!
Less-Depth1704@reddit
I live in a rural area so I've encountered both. Coyotes in my area usually stay away from people. It's a very gun friendly state so they get popped by farmers and ranchers constantly, result being they're pretty scared of people but you don't want to leave your small pet outside overnight.
Rattlesnakes are not usually a huge concern since they'll rattle if they see you first so you just avoid them. I have had to kill a couple, one for staying in our campsite (yeah it's your home but there's kids here), and one that tried to take up residence in my grandpa's pasture. One was killed with a shovel, the campsite one, I threw a log on and rolled it up until it pinned his head and then stomp. Can't say I enjoyed either one but for safety of children and livestock, it was necessary.
I've never personally killed coyotes, but I have helped pick up the carcasses after my dad and grandpa killed several. Again, it's not awesome, they're basically intelligent, wild dogs in a lot of respects but when there's enough that they're impacting the human food chain/slaughtering all pets... sorry buddy, you gotta go.
DiskSalt4643@reddit
I saw a coyote this morning as I was getting on the bus. It was bein far too bold in my opinion walking around in the bright sunlight.
Morrison4113@reddit
Yes. I live in a mid size city, but back up to a small area of woods/forest. Coyotes are sometimes behind my house. They would take my dog if they had the opportunity. I have friends whose pets were taken. However, I would beat the shit out of, or shoot dead, a coyote, if I saw it in my yard. I am not scared of them. In my experience, Coyotes are not a big threat to people. They want to avoid us. Rattlesnakes aren’t a major threat. I’m in the eastern United States.
shelwood46@reddit
Rattlesnakes will mostly leave you alone if you don't bother them. Coyotes are a much bigger problem, though more for pets than humans.
GoodQueenFluffenChop@reddit
Depends entirely where you live and it's not just which state. I live in the suburbs close to a major city and I've never seen a rattlesnake except in the zoo and warnings as a child in school about to being careful and what to do if you come across one.
Coyotes though do pretty well in the suburbs and cities it seems. I've regularly seen coyotes and I don't leave my pets unattended outside because mine are small and perfect snacks for a coyote. Also don't leave toddlers and little kids unattended either in areas with known coyotes because again they're the perfect snacks for them.
ImaginaryProposal211@reddit
Oh yeah. Had problems with both them all the time growing up. Currently it’s just coyotes and other breeds of snakes. Rattlers are still around, but they don’t cause as much trouble where I currently live.
DrAniB20@reddit
Hogs actually scared the living bejeezus outta me
ImaginaryProposal211@reddit
Oh yeah. Definitely not something to play with. They’ll kill you without hesitation and strip your body to nothing pretty quick without interruption. I hunted them some when I was younger and had the time and land to do it on.
DrAniB20@reddit
I’ve heard what a problem they’ve become recently and have been infesting other states as well.
AwkwarsLunchladyHugs@reddit
Not so much in town here, but on the outskirts of town and of course in the rural areas, yes the coyotes and snakes are around. Once in a great while a coyote or snake might wander in to town, but really it's mostly antelopes, foxes, and raccoons. Oh and the occasional mountain lion.
Alarmed-Extension289@reddit
I live in a rural part of SoCal and it's a big problem. Also add, mountain lions and bobcats. These are only really a problem if your property is on/past the city limits.
We also have occasional interactions with Red Hawks and Small dogs.
When hiking you really have to be paying attention to where your stepping. If you live in an area with alot' of Rattle snakes it helps to carry flat head shovel just incase.
Arizona seems to be a hotspot with them.
Historical-Badger259@reddit
We have lots of coyotes where I live - I hear them yipping at night pretty often, and I’ve seen them in my backyard. I don’t have small outdoor pets, so it’s not a problem for me. They’re not large animals. I’ve only encountered a rattlesnake once while hiking, though we do have them where I live. They’re shy animals like almost all snakes, and if you’re paying attention, it’s not really an issue. They rattle because they want to warn you away.
Whose_my_daddy@reddit
Nevada here. See coyotes frequently. Never seen a rattler.
_Smedette_@reddit
Coyotes are adaptable and you’ll find them in urban locations in my hometown (Portland, Oregon). Some people are surprised to find them in cities, but they are there, and you need to keep your pets inside.
cliddle420@reddit
Coyotes kill small pets all the time
Rattlesnake avoidance training is very common for dogs, but there's a reason something like 90% of human rattlesnake bite victims are men. You've generally gotta be doing something stupid to get bitten
JMS1991@reddit
Coyotes are a huge issue if you happen to be a roadrunner. Luckily, they have evolved to become pretty crafty and build traps for the coyotes. I saw a documentary about it once.
hatepeople63@reddit
I live in a large neighborhood within city limits. We have coyotes, deer, and couple times a bear in the employees parking lot at the huge hospital
bambixanne@reddit
Coyotes are kinda everywhere, but not much of a problem unless you have little kids or small animals outside. I feel like bears and gators are more of a problem, also wild dogs that run in a pack is a scary ass thing to see.
Jaqen-Atavuli@reddit
We have coyotes. I have no problem with them. They fix the asshole cat owners that think it is ok for the cats to come shit in my yard. Coyotes look like medium sized dogs and they are really fast.
Oddly enough, I am 52 and have lived in Georgia my entire life. I am also what you would call and outdoorsmen. I have never seen a rattlesnake.
Individual-Theory307@reddit
Coyotes have spread to nearly all of North America because our ancestors eradicated the bear and wolf populations which preyed on coyote populations. And the family farmer is disappearing and they actively hunted coyotes the keep them out of their livestock. So the coyotes has had the freedom to expand their range unhindered.What is interesting is that there are coyotes are almost never seen in Yellowstone but there are populations of them surrounding that area.
cman334@reddit
I spend a decent amount of time hiking and camping during the summer
I know there are coyotes around, but they’ve not been a problem anywhere I’ve lived. As for snakes, there’s only one venomous snake in my state and I’ve never seen it outside a zoo.
Aaron696@reddit
I nearly stepped on a 5 foot long rattlesnake while at the beach birdwatching. My foot stepped right next to its head so it slightly recoiled, which is when I noticed it. Then it slithered into the bushes slowly, having not rattled at all, surprisingly. Rattlesnakes are not a danger to the average person, at least here in Florida, just due to the small chance of encountering them. Avid hikers are most at risk, and even then, you’re only going to get bit if you are deliberately messing with the snake or accidentally step on it. I think the majority of rattlesnake species in the US have a very dangerous bite however, with death or loss of limbs possible without medical intervention in the event of a bite.
As for coyotes, those are dangerous to small children, cats, and small dogs. For many Americans, if their outdoor cat goes missing, predation by coyotes is often one of the first things thought to be the cause. Generally they aren’t a huge danger to adult humans, but rabies is a cause for concern and they can be a huge nuisance to people who keep pets and livestock outdoors.
Ok-Gold-5031@reddit
Small dog or cat can be a meal, but not a problem, we dont have a major problem with rattlesnakes, copperheads and moccasins are abundant as are coral snakes. Right now its the freaking Horse flies biting me
knefr@reddit
I’m from Ohio and I don’t know if I ever saw a snake outside the zoo. I think in the very southern part I saw one when I was a kid. Now I live in the western US and there are signs at trails warning of rattlesnakes which I never took seriously. Well, my wife almost stepped on one! So whenever we’re in an area where they’re known to be I’m just careful about where I put my feet, my kiddo, or where my dog sticks his nose.
Separate-Asparagus36@reddit
Depending on where you live it can be a big issue, but being prepared and smart about things helps. Our 20 pound dog was attacked by a coyote on an early morning off leash walk (totally our fault for not realizing they would still be out) and managed to escape with only puncture wounds.
Drawn-Otterix@reddit
I've seen neither in the wild. Z
SeaGurl@reddit
I live in Texas, grew up in West Texas. I've never seen a live rattle snake that wasn't at a zoo. Other snakes yes, but not rattlesnakes.
I have seen 3 coyotes. One was just trying to hide from a rain storm and moved on once it was done. Two (two different occasions) came with in 20 feet of me, one of those times I was walking my dog. We just happened to be crossing paths. Both times they eyed me warily, I stayed still/picked up my dog and they continued past me, clearly just as concerned about me hurting them as I was afraid they'd attack.
They can be a serious issue with small pets left alone. My aunt sadly lost her cat, most likely to a coyote. Where they lived at that time, you could hear them howling at night. It was cool and eerie at the same time.
To be perfectly honest, ive had more of an issue with people's aggressive dogs getting loose then I have with coyotes.
hobsrulz@reddit
I'm on the east coast. Apparently coyote population is increasing over here, including urban and suburban areas. I haven't seen or heard of any. We have foxes, deer, rabbits, possums, squirrels, chipmunks, mice... Apparently in the mountainous regions there are rattlesnakes. They wouldn't hang around people though
Ok-Equivalent8260@reddit
Zero
holiestcannoly@reddit
Coyotes regularly patrolled our neighborhood in PA. I’ve never seen a rattlesnake, though
ryguymcsly@reddit
Depends on if you live in coyote or rattlesnake country.
Granted, coyotes are kind of everywhere but they're generally just weird skittish wild dogs that eat trash most places. In areas where they're more hungry, housepets can go missing if you leave them outside unattended. If you see one they're usually like "OH SHIT A HUMAN" and they bolt. Every once in awhile one goes rabid and that's a whole thing, but if you've got rabies happening in your area coyotes aren't as big a problem as all kinds of other wildlife.
Rattlesnakes have a pretty small area, and if you live in an area that has them you know to be careful walking around in areas where they are and you can't miss what they sound like. Like most wildlife, they're more scared of you than you are of them.
TL;DR: neither of them are really a problem.
DrAniB20@reddit
Where I live currently, there are coyotes. My very large black dogs enjoy scaring the crap out of them by barking and chasing them to the property line to make them scatter. My female would love to get her teeth into one of them.
As for rattlesnakes, I’ve come across two hiking living in the PNW. One was a baby and I just grabbed my dogs and gave them both a wide berth.
Flat-Product-119@reddit
Nah, we’re cool
AliMcGraw@reddit
I constantly LOL about how much local social media freaks out about coyotes. Like, we live blocks from a forest preserve, friends. They're here to eat your garbage and leave you alone! Like, don't let your pets outside without supervision, but THAT IS ALSO THE RULE FOR ALL PETS HERE, if you let them outside without supervision they're likely to encounter coyotes or skunks. That's why we live in this lovely, quite, tree-lined town that's right next to the forest preserve!
The last place I lived, we did NOT live close to a forest preserve, and everyone started freaking out about hawks picking off chihuahuas and other small dogs, and everyone made fun of them, until someone caught a video of a hawk carrying off a small dog.
Like, yeah, we live near wild animals. Be careful about your pets, and why are you letting your cats out anyway? Cats in this area should be INDOOR ONLY for their safety and for local wildlife's safety!
We do not have rattlesnakes, but we do have bobcats and very occasionally cougars (like once a decade). Being a pet owner around here means being careful and supervising your pets! We also have bats with endemic rabies, so if your pet is exposed to rabies, you have to go through the whole rabies protocol. Which, if you pet is up-to-date on vaccinations, is an exam by the vet and then nothing. And if your pet is NOT up to date, is six weeks in a state-designated kennel watching to see if your pet turns rabid and has to be destroyed. We had a bat fall down our chimney in a rabies-endemic county (I mean, all counties in the US where there are bats are rabies-endemic counties) and our cats trapped it behind the toilet and I went to see what all the noise was about the my cats were like "LOOK MOM WE CAUGH YOU A BAT!" and backed off so I could have the bat, which flew at my head, and then flew into the room where in my 6-week-old infant was sleeping. A rabid bat had been caught and destroyed in our county literally six days before this. We had to shower off like we'd been exposed to the Andromeda Strain, then take the baby to a pediatric ER nurse, and then a pediatric infectious disease doctor, who called the CDC, and we had to draw a picture of where the bat had been in our house, which was faxed to the CDC, and they finally decided it was "unlikely" the bat had scratched or bitten our infant (who had no marks) and none of us had to have rabies shots, but I had such bad rabies-related nightmares for months on end that I had to have ambien to sleep at all.
ANYWAY, I like to see coyotes, they're cool, and they're mostly out at dawn raiding garbage, and everyone is careful about their dogs. I DO NOT like to see bats. Coyotes are totally chill. Bats are NOT.
Also the moral of my story is, if you're an American, get your pet vaccinated for rabies. My cats were up to date on their shots, so they were examined by the vet for wounds and released while we panicked about whether we or the baby had been exposed to rabies. If our cats had NOT been up to date on their rabies shots, they would have spent six weeks in quarantine at our expense and been destroyed if they exhibited symptoms. VACCINATE YOUR PETS so that if your pets happen to catch a bat, your vet can conclusively say "Nope, these cats are safe, no matter what was going on with the bat." Dealing with the bat potentially exposing us and our infant to rabies was almost literally the most stressful thing I've ever experienced in my life. Being able to say, "Nope, our two cats are vaccinated and safe, and also good hunters and dumbasses, who trapped the bat but then gave it to mom," was SUCH a relief. I don't know how I would have coped with three weeks on the phone with the CDC if my cats were being destroyed by the county in the meantime.
dontknowwhattomakeit@reddit
I have never encountered a rattlesnake even one time. We don’t have them. We do have coyotes, but I’ve never really encountered them either. We might hear them sometimes, but they don’t really bother people typically.
I’ve had bigger issues with moose than either of those and I’ve had three wild moose encounters, if you can believe it. Only three and I’m an avid hiker. One was far away (we watched it a bit, then left). One was a young female (she was very close so we watched her from the car). We like to watch moose when we do come across them. They’re very interesting, but they’re extremely dangerous. The other jumped in front of my car (he was fine, my car was not). No bear encounters yet, though, somehow.
i-touched-morrissey@reddit
I'm a vet in SC Kansas. We have coyotes EVERYWHERE. There are people here who own packs of greyhounds that chase down coyotes and kill them. 2 weeks ago I had to send in a coyote head for rabies testing because it came into someone's yard and the police shot it. Coyotes eat cats, they fight with dogs and kill new little calves. They are a nuisance to most people. I feel bad that we humans are encroaching upon their territory.
Rattle snakes are not a problem in my area. I know of 2 dogs who had been bitten by rattlesnakes in my 32 years of practice, and the bites were in Colorado.
This being said, I have seen rattlesnakes in Missouri in the Ozarks when hiking. One was laying in the middle of the road wheni was cycling so I got a big stick and tried to chase it off the road so it didn't get hit by a car. The road was curvy so the traffic was nonexistent, but here comes Jimmy Hillbilly in a pick up truck. I stood in the road so he wouldn't hit the snake. Snake scooted off and lived to see another day.
StrongStyleDragon@reddit
Would depend on the area. You can’t leave pets outside and you would have to be cautious when roaming. It can be a big deal but it’s usually not
GlitteringLocality@reddit
None. I live here because of the no venomous snakes.
BrainFartTheFirst@reddit
I see coyotes all the time. If you have a small dog you need to go out with it otherwise they'll become coyote food. The only snake I've ever seen in the wild was up on Cajon Pass and it was a California whipsnake.
m-j10@reddit
It’s dependent on where you live in the country. I’m from Minnesota. Coyotes are an issue in my part of the state if you’re in the country, but rattlesnakes are not. Small animals are not to be left outside. MN does have two venomous snakes and both are in the southeastern part of the state, one being a timber rattlesnake.
Fun fact: Sweetwater, TX has an annual rattlesnake roundup. I worked construction for 4 years so experienced many wildlife encounters, most being in west Texas.
My sister told me about this little kid who got bit by a rattlesnake at recess in her city in Texas.
Marvos79@reddit
When I lived in rural California you had to watch out for rattlesnakes when you played outside. I saw plenty
CamBam9876@reddit
I don’t see rattlesnakes ever, even going out in the woods pretty often. They’re around, and we find their sheds every once in a while, but I’ve only seen 2 in like 15 years and one was dead.
Coyotes are everywhere though. Been on walks with my dog before and had a pair tail us before peeling off. They’re not enough of a problem in my area that animals can’t be outside on their own, but every once in a while you’ll hear a pack yipping in the distance.
GeekyPassion@reddit
I've never had problems with rattlesnakes but coyotes are a big problem
Babelwasaninsidejob@reddit
A small pack came through our woods a few weeks ago. One coyote kept rhythmically barking over and over trying to lure out curious cats and dogs while the rest of them hid quietly about 40 yards away. We have chickens and goats but the barn doors aren't great so I turned on all the lights and stayed outside with a flashlight and a shotgun.
LadderAlice107@reddit
I live in the Los Angeles suburbs and coyotes are just part of life, especially if you live closer to the foothills. Definitely cannot leave pets out unattended and even going for walks at night, you need to be a little careful. Some folks have posted that they’ve almost been attacked by them. We can hear them triangulating around the neighborhood at night. It’s both cool and creepy.
Rattlesnakes are around, but the only people I know who’ve seen them live in the hills. I personally have not seen any, thank god.
BigWhiteDog@reddit
No problems at all with coyotes or any predators for that matter as I have a pack of very large Livestock Guardian Dogs, most of which also don't care for human predators as well! 😂
tehfireisonfire@reddit
I've only ever seen one rattlesnake my whole life, so they haven't been that much of a problem. Granted I live just north of nyc so they aren't super common, but coyotes I see much more frequently although they still aren't much of an issue.
OldBat001@reddit
My backyard gets nightly visits from two coyotes (they ate one of the squirrels in front of my security cameras the other night), foxes, two raccoons, a skunk, an opossum, the occasional mouse or rat, squirrels (minus one), a gopher snake, some kind of pink snake I've yet to ID, lizards, and a skink.
Haven't crossed paths with a rattler yet -- that was two houses ago. Several of them there.
KatzyKatz@reddit
My dog got attacked by a coyote in my yard a few years ago (I live in a big city.) I think my dog was bigger than the coyote anticipated because he wasn’t able to lift him, otherwise he’d be a goner. He got stitches on his neck but lived to tell the tale.
HendyMetal@reddit
My dog was attacked by a pack of coyotes in December. I live in North Idaho. She made a full recovery. I used to dismiss their howls at night. Now they give me chills.
crumblingruin@reddit
Not American, but I used to enjoy riding my bike through the trails in Balboa Park (the wild, empty side east of Florida Drive) in San Diego when I lived there, until I ran into a pack of coyotes who looked hungry and threatening. They stood there staring at me menacingly until I backed off.
I almost stepped on a diamondback rattlesnake in the same area once, so yes, it's a real concern. I carried a stick to sweep the ground and warn them off after that.
Don't get me started on the tarantula that was hanging out on the path in front of my house once. Argh.
girlinthegoldenboots@reddit
I live in a new development with fields all around us. I don’t walk my dog too long after dark because we can hear the coyotes everywhere. I also don’t let my cat outside unsupervised. And I have encountered rattlesnakes on hikes but they’ll leave you alone if you leave them alone. I did have a cottonmouth get inside my house once and my cat tried to play with it. Luckily I got her and the dog away before either got bit.
PoliticalJunkDrawer@reddit
I encounter quite a few coyotes but don't really have an issue with them, since I don't own livestock. They are not really an issue unless you own animals, or worried about the other wild animals (deer, turkey) for example.
We have rattlesnakes in my state, but I've never seen one in the wild in person. Now, copperheads are another story. Just saw one my last camping trip a few days ago, and they are a constant menace, for us and our dogs. Been lucky with some close encounters.
cephalophile32@reddit
We had a pack come through our fairly suburban neighborhood. Left a freakin crime scene in the backyard. Went all CSI and followed the blood trail into the woods and 30ft in found a whole ass deer drawn and quartered. Them things musta been hella hungry.
PoliticalJunkDrawer@reddit
The only reason I've ever bought a tag and considered shooting them was because of dead deer, but never actually took any. The deer usually die slowly, as the coyotes eat at their ass and stomach, not some neck takedown kill like a cat would do. Terrible way to go.
boarhowl@reddit
I've seen hundreds of coyotes and maybe 4 rattlesnakes per year. I've never had a problem with either though. People greatly exaggerate the problems associated with both of them out of fear and hate. People lose pets to coyotes but it's often because of carelessness on their part by letting their pets roam free unsupervised. And if it wasn't coyotes? It would be foxes, eagles, great horned owls, bobcats, pumas, bears, stray dogs, and even wolves that can just as easily kill their pets.
https://imgur.com/a/QOFEwnN here is a picture of a baby rattlesnake I found in my driveway last summer. I was worried about it getting injured either by vehicles or my neighbors so I caught it and hiked about half a mile outside my neighborhood to release it in a non-habitated area.
Percy_Pants@reddit
Never. I have seen a coyote but I have never seen a rattlesnake
Educational-Ad-385@reddit
I'm in Los Angeles County. Coyotes are killing cats and small dogs in my neighborhood.
come-join-themurder@reddit
Rattlesnakes are less of an issue for me where I am versus Cottonmouth snakes. See a lot more of those. Coyotes, Foxes, Mountain Lions and Bobcats are also a big problem.
CK1277@reddit
I’ve encountered both in the wild, but not in a problematic way.
quokkaquarrel@reddit
I've known of many many dogs bitten by rattlesnakes but no humans. They're around though, everywhere here, but they're kind enough to let you know you're pissing them off.
Coyotes are also ubiquitous but a pet hazard more than a people hazard. I've never heard of anyone getting hurt by a coyote unless they were trying to save a pet.
justalittlelupy@reddit
The warehouse attached to my office has signs all over warning of rattle snakes hiding and biting. Every year they manage to get at least one hiding in the building. So, for me, an actual daily concern during the summer.
Coyotes exist in my city, too. Like, in the middle of an actual city with high rise buildings. There was one hanging out on the children's hospital grounds two years ago. They go after cats, small dogs, and turkey babies.
Foreign-Marzipan6216@reddit
We always had guardian type dogs who chased coyotes and mountain lion away. We never had issues with rattlesnakes even though they were in the area.
Highway49@reddit
Rattlesnakes love to sit in the sun on the bike trails where I live. I am terrified of stepping on them and dying (I am terrified of snakes in general).
machuitzil@reddit
Rattlesnakes are a concern when hiking. Coyotes are why I keep my cats indoors.
Aside from that I rarely see them -and they're both common where I live. Rule of thumb: if you can't see a coyote right now, theres probably a coyote nearby.
I used to live in a canyon just outside of town and I loved hearing them bark after sunset. One would chirp, a few minutes later they'd all get together and cry and whine, and every dog in the neighborhood would go bananas. Every night.
HamRadio_73@reddit
We live in Arizona desert. Coyotes are common and rattlesnakes can be, although they usually don't traverse disturbed ground. Just take the usual common sense precautions.
AZJHawk@reddit
I back to open desert. I see coyotes daily. They want nothing to do with me. They’d probably like to meet (and eat) my dogs, so we have to be careful, but we have a fend and don’t let the dogs out unattended. Frankly, I like seeing them as long as they stay out in the desert.
We don’t have a snake problem, but we have known people that have. Again, they really don’t want to have anything to do with you. The scorpions are a bigger issue, but I have an understanding with them. If they’re outside, I let them be. If they’re in the house, they’re fair game.
bodog0505@reddit
I’m outside a lot, in New Mexico, they are a big headache. We lose cows and horses to rattlesnakes so often they have a kill on sight policy on lots of ranches, coyotes are more dangerous to pets like small dogs and cats, but also they are so loud at night. They both are big parts of the ecosystem though so unless they cause trouble, they are left alone.
NitinTheAviator@reddit
I have yet to encounter coyotes or rattlesnakes. So I can’t/don’t have anything to say here
Oily_Bee@reddit
Lots of coyotes and rattlesnakes in Arizona but I've only ever ran into coyotes.
bazilbt@reddit
I had a dog get in a bit of a scrap with some Coyotes years back. He was fine but it was alarming. They moved into a wooded area between a cemetery and a dog park. They are still there as far as I know. 15 years later.
Goodgaimanomens@reddit
I've seen both in my yard.
As far as coyotes- I used to have ducks and geese. I no longer do. They were safe when they slept on the water but nesting season came around and they got picked off. There are also many chickens that have gone missing. I have a coop (and just finished expanding it), but my wife kept letting them out to roam. Any that weren't back in by nightfall had a slim chance of seeing sunrise.
Rattlesnakes have bitten one of my dogs (she's ok) and a few rabbits. The rabbits are up off the ground now, so that's no longer an issue. The dog was a surprise. Out of the 5, she's the one that is most snake aware. She even has a distinct dark that I can recognize from the other side of the property. I have no idea how she found herself close enough without getting clear.
I don't kill either one unless it's a repeat offender that won't move on. A: there are 20 more right behind it and B: they are crucial vermin control. People think cats do the job but, really, cats are pretty useless. They kill way more birds than anything. Coyotes that forage for food rely largely on rats and are big enough to dig their way to the nest. Same with the foxes (which are just too pretty to shoot) and the hawks. Snakes can follow a scent trail into places that a cat could only dream of and, again, take out a whole nest at once. Do I prefer ratsnakes over rattlers? Sure. I've got a ton of both. But I consider it my responsibility to keep things from eating my animals and have gotten better at it over time. Most losses were in the first year. Since then things have gotten more under control. I give the little bastards credit, though. It only takes one 'I bet it'll be fine tonight' and it isn't, in fact, fine....
Jack_of_Spades@reddit
The suburban area I live at is near a lake/recreation area.
People don't really post "Missing Cat/Dog" posters here. Because, chances are, they're with the coyotes now.
Mazikeen369@reddit
I'm far more likely to have problems with cougars than anything else. Bears and then maybe brown recluse and black widows before i start thinking of coyotes and rattlers. It also kinda depends on the areas though. The list varies in problematic depending on locations.
lock_robster2022@reddit
In a suburb of Seattle- it’s fairly common someone loses a cat or small dog to a coyote.
Snarky75@reddit
Yes we have them all over. But I live in the Southwest US.
Realistic-Regret-171@reddit
In AZ I have confronted bears, coyotes, Mtn lion, but no rattlers( tho people at a somewhat lower elevation HAVE been bitten) We’re high enough that they are somewhat scarce. Other encounters include (1)wolf, turkeys, Mtn sheep, pronghorn, elk, deer, geese, herons, eagles, hawks. Oh also Rez (wild) horses.
teachthisdognewtrick@reddit
My brother and some friends live in the San Francisco area. Can’t let animals out at night. Coyotes are everywhere.
Jenjofred@reddit
The coyotes suck if you have chickens, but I've rarely had an issue with rattlesnakes.
Timely-Youth-9074@reddit
Rattlesnakes are easy, just listen for the rattle and go the opposite direction.
Coyotes don’t pose a problem for humans, but as someone else said, they will kill your pets.
Intelligent-Invite79@reddit
I walked onto my first porch and found both adult and baby rattlesnakes when I lived on the outskirts of town. Now that I’m further in town I don’t see them, but I live across from a greenbelt and if I have the windows open I definitely hear Coyotes (pronounced kai-oats where I am lol) pretty much right across the fence. I love that sound!
Aggressive-Click-605@reddit
Coyotes devastate cattle herds by eating calves. I encounter at least two rattlesnakes per summer at my parents house in the rural West.
claravii@reddit
We have signs all over town saying to watch for coyotes, and how to act if you see one. It’s a huge problem. It may be regional as well. But everyone I know has seen them around, as they’re getting increasingly more comfortable wandering urban areas. For context, this is a dense suburban area. Not enough to be a city, but more-so than other suburbs.
Brilliant_Shoulder89@reddit
I see both pretty regularly. Coyotes in the early morning. They can be loud at night but are really only problems for pets. Rattlesnakes don’t really want much to do with humans. I’ll see them when out on a trail. They live and nest in rocky outcroppings and will usually rattle to warn you off if they feel you coming. Again, usually the danger is to dogs who get curious and sniff around the nests or bother snakes that are sunning themselves. They have avoidance classes for dogs and anti venom but it’s expensive and has to be administered quickly.
Traditional-Joke-179@reddit
the only time i've seen a coyote was one chillin on a nature trail i was walking through. i pointed out to the random guy nearby that there was a coyote. he did not speak english. then he decided to start whistling and coaxing the coyote and gesturing for it to approach him. i noped out of there.
No-Profession422@reddit
There are coyotes around my place all the time. Can't leave my dog out unattended. Rattlesnakes are around, especially with the weather warming up. Not that much of a problem. Just have to be wary when out walking.
Expensive-Committee@reddit
I live somewhat rurally in the American Southwest, but am from the Chicago area/Chicago proper. Back home, raccoons (we called them trash pandas) were our wildlife; coyotes made the news.
Here in the southwest, I regularly scream “get away you mangy idiots!” at the packs of coyotes in my arroyo and yard. Also, captured four bull snakes, one rattler and countless tarantulas in my house (tarantulas only during their yearly migration).
Oh, and sometimes there are bobcats. The best, though, are the wild horses.
So what I’m saying is: It all depends on where you are. The US is a HUGE country.
seungflower@reddit
Encountered a rattlesnake but not a live coyote but I heard them. But where I used to live, bears were more of a thing.
Alpacazappa@reddit
I live in upstate NY. I have only ever seen one rattlesnake on our property, but we have a lot of coyotes. We've had idiots dump cats and rabbits every year at our place because we have an old barn. We've only been able to save four of the cats before the coyotes have gotten them and only one rabbit. We've lived here for over thirty years, so we've only saved a very small percentage. The coyotes will come right up to the house even during the day.
General-Winter547@reddit
I live in a suburb outside a small city; went on a walk with my wife the other day and saw a dead rattlesnake on the sidewalk. With medical treatment they aren’t particularly dangerous here, but they will ruin your week if you get bit.
We’re famous for coyotes. (Pronounced “CaiYoat” here) Lots of people hunt them to keep them from eating sheep and calfs. I’ve lived in other places where they weren’t as common. Never had an issue with them. I’ve lost cats to other animals though.
Premium333@reddit
I have been chased by coyotes before. They weren't interested in me at all, but they wanted the puppy. They did that whole "one predator is visible, then the real killer comes out from the side" thing popularized by Jurassic Park.
It was very scary. I picked up the puppy and taj back to the apartment.
We lived inner-city of a relatively large American city at the time and a pack of coyotes lived at a local park.
A few years later I read a news story that animal control had killed/ relocated the entire pack because it had gotten so bad with pets disappearing.
Theres lots of rattlesnakes around here also, but you don't see them unless you go down to the nature trails. In the neighborhood we have Garder snakes. My cat likes to catch them and bring them home. He doesn't kill them. He just brings them home and then sets them free in my kitchen if he can get inside. On the front or back patio if he can't.
capsrock02@reddit
Most of the county? None. Arizona? Yes.
jrhawk42@reddit
Typically coyotes are only trouble if you have animals, or leave young kids unattended. Typically they're really timid around humans. It's pretty common to see coyotes though.
Rattlesnakes are a bit more of a problem. Usually a couple attacks per year, and a few deaths. But they are also not something you'd encounter regularly in most areas.
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
I grew up in the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas. Rattlesnakes and coyotes were incredibly common to see. Fortunately, we had high stone and mortar walls enclosing our yard so our large breed dogs and rabbits (we had a rabbit hutch for them) were safe. All of our other animals were indoors only (several cats, two gerbils, several mice, two parakeets, one conure parrot and three finches.
bkinstle@reddit
I grew up in a very rural corner of the Mojave Desert and actually very little problems with either. Lets address them seperately.
Coyotes avoid people. They want nothing to do with you. However they do like chickens a lot so your coup needs to be strong enough to keep them out. They also like cats and if you let your cats out at night they might vanish. However feral cats can usually hold their own against coyotes. They'll also lure dogs out and then the pack will jump them. Once nice thing about coyotes is they look both ways before crossing roads so it's very unlikely you'll ever hit one. Coyotes are SMART
Rattlesnakes REALLY avoid people. They REALLY want nothing to do with you. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you. The rattle is a warning, it means back away slowly and I won't bite you. Really that's all there is to it. Don't stick your hands into unknown places and watch where you put your foot down. Most of the time it'll feel you coming from a long ways away and run off so that you never even see them. Once in a while they'll bite someone's dog. Remember, you are way too big to eat, so it only bites us as a defense and it would rather not do even that.
Fangsong_37@reddit
I grew up near the railroad tracks in southeastern Indiana. We had packs of coyotes who would follow the tracks and come fight our outside dogs. They carried off and ate my aunt’s dog Wendy, and she was a large dog. We only found her collar and some gnawed bones.
AccountantRadiant351@reddit
Problems with coyotes? Not really. Encounters? Definitely. There's a den nearby and you see them walking the streets at sunset. No one has "outdoor pets" here because it's not safe, but that's about the only thing coyotes impact.
My mom lives a little further up the mountain; she's had baby rattlers a few times in her shed, garage, or crawl space. You just call a company to come remove them is all.
404unotfound@reddit
I’ve lost several cats to coyotes and had to shoot a couple rattlesnakes, but I lived in the boonies
SchwillyMaysHere@reddit
Depends where you live.
The_Flying_Lunchbox@reddit
Depends on where you live. You’re more likely to encounter them (and other wild animals) in rural areas. It’s good practice to secure domestic animals (pets, chickens, etc.) at night, anyway.
I live in a decent sized city, about 300,000. I’ve never encountered a venomous snake, but I have encountered things like deer, foxes, and coyotes before. Not really anything to be concerned about, but not too surprising when it happens, either.
FeralSweater@reddit
Alas, I’ve never seen a rattlesnake in the wild.
Coyotes are not the problem. Habitat destruction which brings animals into contact with humans is the problem.
tsukuyomidreams@reddit
There are lots of coyotes around me, but my 3 large dogs and fence keep them away. Foxes steal my chickens sometimes, very sad and annoying. They'll do it randomly during the day when they have puppies to feed.
Rattlesnakes I've encountered on trails are usually easy to move away with a big stick, but copperheads are all over the fucking place and can be pretty aggressive if you get close to them. Thankfully both tend to stay away from my yard, but I know they're nearby, so I do not go on walks outside at night or early in the morning.
JustGenericName@reddit
My mom swears she "Relocated" 10 rattle snakes last summer. But I think it was the same one over and over lol. Coyotes are getting bolder by the day. I see them often in the farmland by my work and stopped walking by myself at dusk. (I know, I know. They leave humans alone. But it's still uncomfortable being outnumbered by predators)
Prior_Particular9417@reddit
Coyotes scamper through the neighborhood all the time. People pick them up on cameras and such.
Fnthsch592@reddit
I’ve occasionally seen a coyote here and there in southeast Michigan, but I wouldn’t exactly call them a problem where I’m at. Technically we do have rattlesnakes, but they’re not super common, most people may not even be aware we have them. There’s a park that has a known breeding ground somewhat near me, but I’ve never seen one.
procrasstinating@reddit
I regularly saw a pair of coyotes in the park a few days a week this winter while I was walking my dog. They were pretty fun to watch hunt and pounce for mice in the snow. I could hear them singing in the scrub a few times during the day. Never had any problems with them.
I have had rattle snakes buzz at me a few times on hikes. The sound scares the shit out of me, but they are cool to see once you know they are there. Really unlikely to get bit unless you try and pick one up.
itsatrapp71@reddit
Northern Kentucky no venomous snakes. We hear coyotes and they occasionally make off with a pet but not many problems.
Pinkgabezo@reddit
Grew up in Ok. We had snakes, but no coyotes. But, we had about 17 dogs that chased off wildlife.
Ganymede25@reddit
I live in the middle of Houston and surprisingly I see coyotes on occasion late at night. They seem to run along railroad tracks. I’ve never had a problem with them and they avoid people.
I’ve seen copperheads and coral snakes before in the city. I’ve never seen a rattlesnake in the city. However I know people who have encountered them while hunting. I’ve seen alligators just outside of Houston.
Juiceton-@reddit
Yeah they’re there. As are scorpions and tarantulas.
Now, I do live in rural western Oklahoma which is stereotypical “cowboy” America. Most people live in cities and won’t deal with them. We also have elk and bison out here, but those are pretty rare sights to just see. You’re way more likely to see a white tail or a domestic cow in comparison. We also have porcupines. They’re real rare out here though. There’s even been mountain lion sightings in Oklahoma recently.
caligulas_mule@reddit
It all depends on where you live. I regularly encounter rattlesnakes, but I'm from a farming community. Coyotes I see mainly running through orchards and can be a nuisance for smaller pets. People in the cities may go their whole lives without seeing either.
SMDR3135@reddit
Colorado checking in. I was on a regular walk (not even a “hike”?) with my dog a few days ago and we encountered a rattlesnake. A little over a mile from my house. Snake rattled it hard, scared the 💩 out of us and no one got hurt. We see coyotes all the time but they generally don’t bother us. Most worried about rattlesnakes and mountain lions.
VapeThisBro@reddit
I see the snakes on my hikes once in a blue moon but I hunt coyotes so I see them fairly often. Like others said, the coyotes will eat your out door pets. The snakes aren't so much a problem unless your camping when it's cold and the snakes get in the tent or sleeping bag looking for warmth. Zip up the tent, snakes don't have fingers or arms for that matter, to unzip them.
Tom__mm@reddit
Colorado here: coyotes are very shy in my experience, not a real problem. I’ve encountered rattlesnakes and don’t like it one bit. I think they prefer not to mess with humans and warn by shaking their rattles but a bite is serious.
Dallas_Cowboys50@reddit
I grew up in a suburb of Dallas, never once saw a live rattlesnake. Saw tons of Water Moccasins in creeks, ponds and lakes though. Coyotes you will hear them ALOT, never had the misfortune of losing pets to any.
martlet1@reddit
In my state you can shoot coyotes year round so they aren’t much of a problem. Rattlesnakes aren’t common here but we get cottenmouths
life_experienced@reddit
I live in the warm part of the SF Bay Area. I've seen coyotes and rattlesnakes in my neighborhood and the surrounding area, but far fewer rattlesnakes and only out in the recreational open spaces. I've seen coyotes in the open space but also out among the homes in the neighborhood. I've seen foxes and bobcats in my back yard, too.
I've never had problems with any of them. The sightings are rare and none of these animals will bother you if you don't bother them. Mountain lions are less of a sure thing when it comes to not bothering you, and they are occasionally seen around here, but I've never seen one.
Confetticandi@reddit
Rattlesnakes only live in certain regions of the country and like to stay hidden in vegetation and avoid people if they can help it.
Coyotes are all over the country and have adapted to urban and suburban environments. They mostly stay hidden, but you have to be careful letting small animals outside after dark. They will jump a fence to snatch a family dog from the backyard if they have the opportunity.
I grew up in a Midwest city suburb and there was a small grove of trees in the middle of our suburban neighborhood. If an ambulance or police siren passed by, you would sometimes hear the coyotes in the tree grove howling back at it. My mom caught one stalking our little terrier dog one night when she let him out to go to the bathroom and she chased it off.
San Francisco has a pack of coyotes living in the city parks and sometimes the city has to temporarily close down parts of the parks due to “active coyote dens.” Here’s a video someone took of one wandering a park during the day.
A rogue coyote was biting people in Chicago city neighborhoods a few years ago and the city had to trap it and put it down.
pfmason@reddit
We have both in upstate NY. Never had an issue with either though
sneezhousing@reddit
Depends on where you live
Rattlesnakes are not an issue here in the Midwest.
Coyotes in rural area mostly. I'm in the suburb of a big city. I may see one once or twice a year.
pastelbutcherknife@reddit
My garage got infested with bats but as time went on the bat infestation went away - because it was replaced by a Pygmy rattlesnake infestation.
CrochetCafe@reddit
In central US there are coyotes on farmland but I’ve never seen one in the city. (There are foxes in my neighborhood though!)
I have heard that there have been sightings of rattlesnakes on golf courses a couple of times the past 30+ years of my life. But I know in the western part of my state, they are more common. Personally, I have only seen a stuffed rattlesnake in my hometown’s museum.
smile_saurus@reddit
I grew up in New York. That is NY State, not NY City. We had mountains, and there were some snakes but none were venomous. There were coyotes too, even in suburban areas, but it was not super common to see them. Suburbs got some little snakes (garden snakes) but nothing serious.
The_Motherlord@reddit
I live in Los Angeles, right in the middle of the asphalt jungle. Years ago I saw a coyote walking down the street around 5am with a very fluffy housecat in its mouth. I've watched a coyote walk through my backyard and then easily leap over my 6' tall fence. Have seen them sniff around the front door. Calmly walk down the center of the street. Haven't caused me any problems. I have always had cats and none have ever gone missing. My dog is 6lbs and has a doggie door and goes out to pee by himself, he has never drawn their interest. My vegetable garden fills my backyard, it's possible they snack on things I'm growing.
Rattlesnakes are a non-issue.
jhumph88@reddit
I have both. And mountain lions! Luckily my yard is fenced
Mobile_Bench7315@reddit
Yes we have in Texas. We hear coyotes yip and yap all the time. Rattlesnakes in Central Texas are a thing. We had them under our house!! Rattlesnake hunts in Walnut Springs Texas every March! Crazy!
AncientPublic6329@reddit
For humans, if you don’t mess with them, they usually won’t mess with you. For pets and livestock, coyotes will sometimes eat them (or at least try). There are ways to deter coyotes however, including hunting, trapping, turning on radios at night, getting certain animals that can fight coyotes like donkeys or large dogs, etc.
hammerofspammer@reddit
I have seen one rattlesnake in my 50+ years.
We do get a good number of coyotes and foxes, but they don’t seem to be problematic
NoAnnual3259@reddit
There’s plenty of coyotes where I live in Portland, Oregon these days, you need to be careful leaving pets outside.
Tyrannical_Requiem@reddit
Coyotes are more of an issue than Rattlesnakes
ThrowawayMod1989@reddit
Last year I was eating my work lunch on a nature trail and I noticed this mottled honeycomb pattern under a log. I thought it was an abandoned hornet nest at first. Got closer to get a better look and heard that rattle. Huge timber rattler.
professorfunkenpunk@reddit
My partner was staying with her parents who live in a semi rural area, and she's pretty sure she heard a coyote eat the neighbor's cat last night. But coyotes generally leave people alone.
Rattlesnakes are not everywhere (i'm north of their range) but my understanding is, 9 times out of 10, if you got bit it was because you were doing something dumb
FourLetterHill3@reddit
Definitely depends on where you live. I live in Southern California and we have both rattlesnakes and coyotes. Coyotes are very common to see in my neighborhood, so people typically leave their pets indoors at night (because they’re typically seen then). Rattlesnakes are encountered in the wild, like on hiking trails. But if you leave them alone then they’ll leave you alone.
sweetcomputerdragon@reddit
Mainly the western dry states. Until WW 2 there were horses on the streets. There were lots of hayfields surrounding American cities. Now that they are mature forest coyotes and wolves are more common The same is presumably true elsewhere.
crispyrhetoric1@reddit
There are coyotes in my area, and you can hear them at night. On occasion they’ve been in my neighborhood even during the late afternoon. Rattlesnakes sometimes appear at work, especially during the summer months.
TheViolaRules@reddit
When I lived out west I had to consider rattlesnake habitat. Here in the Midwest we just know that coyotes are going to eat house pets and backyard chickens if you’re careless
Head_Razzmatazz7174@reddit
The smaller the town, the more likely you are to encounter one or the other (or both)
We've had coyotes around for years, but they usually don't come down out of the hills around town. Lately I've starting seeing them wandering around neighborhoods after dark. The snakes can be found on some of the hiking trails around here.
However, the coyotes are getting bolder. There was a story from a suburb of DFW where a coyote chased a small child home and the family dog came out after it. A few days later one of them attacked a child who was in their front yard, while the parents were nearby doing some gardening.
RihanBrohe12@reddit
As a kid I'd have to chase off coyotes from my backyard all the time cause they'd try to get to our chickens and our dogs. My dad went out one night and shot two of them and left their bodies to rot on the property, they didn't come back for about a year
I've had a couple encounters with timber rattlesnakes, but most snake problems I've had was water moccasins, been bit in wading boots twice by those fuckers. They didn't penatrate but got close.
CatDaddy1135@reddit
Depends on where you live, but it's not really a daily thing even when you live somewhere they are common. All my kin are from Texas, and we've only seen a handful of rattlesnakes over the years. Where I live now in Georgia, coyotes are fairly common, but I don't see them very often. They only seem to roam around at night.
SituationSad4304@reddit
I mean, neither cause a problem unless you have pets small enough to be prey or you invade their space. But if you leave a small cat outside a coyote or owl has a reasonable chance of hunting them -Colorado
Sad_Construction_668@reddit
I grew up next to the national forest in NM, and we had indoor cats and coyote snacks. I had some friends try to keep rabbits while we were kids, but despite their impressive anti coyote defenses, all the bunnies were eaten.
There were some western rattlesnakes near us, and I’ve seen them and Pygmy rattlesnakes in Utah while hiking . Wear boots, long pants and keep an ear out for rattles.
Closest I ever got was stemming over a rattlesnake in a slot canyon in the Escalante. He was mad, but we were pretty far up.
butt_honcho@reddit
There are coyotes where I live, but they rarely cause any trouble. I don't know of anybody who's lost a pet to one besides a couple of chickens. Sometimes you hear them singing at night, which can be pretty unsettling if you're not used to it.
I don't think there's a rattlesnake outside of a zoo within a couple hundred miles of me.
dgmilo8085@reddit
I dunno about the rest of “ask America”, but I live in southern CA. I see coyotes & rattlers pretty regularly. They aren’t a big deal.
flossiedaisy424@reddit
Coyotes live in my neighborhood here in Chicago and can often be seen walking around, but they aren’t really a problem unless you leave your pet unattended. No rattlesnakes to speak of.
Apprehensive_Pin3536@reddit
I hear coyotes but never seen one in person, foxes can be a pain. Timber rattlers exist but I would considered incredibly rare in my area. Honestly I only heard of timbers a few months ago.
MinkieTheCat@reddit
I’ve never seen a rattlesnake. I’ve seen a coyote in my driveway from my ring cam. I’ve heard coyotes in the act of killing something that necessitated me building a catio for my boy cat who tries to get outside. And my dogs do not go outside in the backyard alone, especially at night. In Southern California.
KaitB2020@reddit
Where I live I’ve never seen a rattlesnake. Garden snakes & rabbits are everywhere though.
There is a coyote that lives in a small wooded area down the street from my house. I always see him when I leaving for work in the morning. He watches my stepson get on the bus in the morning too. I never feel threatened by this one. He seems friendly although I’m not going to actually get near him. He’s fine where he is. There’s a small pack that lives near my mother & they frighten the begeezus out of me.
whoisdizzle@reddit
Really depends where you live. I’m in the northeast snakes aren’t a problem here. Coyotes you see on occasion I wish more often when in the woods with a rifle in hand
yellowdaisybutter@reddit
Rattlesnakes are not super rare where i am, but not common either. My husband killed one like last year that was near our house. The neighborhood backed a field, so it's because of that.
Probably see one or two a year.
Coyotes are similar, less common in more urban areas, but in some suburbs and like more rural areas they are a bigger deal.
Prior_Lobster_5240@reddit
In south Texas, most people know someone who's been bit by a diamond back. And we see/hear coyotes all the time. I've lost a couple chickens, and my husband almost lost a doe he'd shot to a pack of them.
Repulsive_One_2878@reddit
Unless you are going out into certain areas rattlesnakes are not usually an issue. Even then....they warn you. The biggest problem is checking that garage step in rural areas. Coyotes mostly leave you alone, and just eat your pets. Even living in an urban area in the northwest I see them in neighborhoods sometimes. They really don't approach people though.
penartist@reddit
When I lived in New Hampshire c Ioyotes always came into our yard st night and we would see them on the street in the early mornings. I've never seen a rattlesnake.
banjolier@reddit
Coyotes range near my yard throughout the year, but hearing them sends my Great Pyrenees from throw rug to 120 lb death machine. A few barks from him and we don’t hear them for a while. The fox that lives somewhere behind my house knows the dog can’t get through the fence though and harasses him to no end.
We have timber rattlers, but I’ve never seen one. Copperheads are the only snake I’m remotely concerned about, and that’s only in the context of literally stepping on one because I’m not paying attention.
stiletto929@reddit
You’d have to go outside to have problems with coyotes or rattlesnakes. I’m good! And it’s always the joggers who find the dead bodies. Gamers, not so much!
sideshow--@reddit
Yeah, I have to beat them off with sticks when I grab a Chicago hotdog, hop on the El (subway), and head to the Loop (downtown) to my skyscraper office.
Ill-Butterscotch1337@reddit
No problem.
Rattlesnakes are rare but deadly.
Coyotes are nothing to worry about. They spook pretty easy and even if they get aggressive they're pretty small and timid animals. I had a friend who's dog got attacked by a couple of them and he was able to beat them away with a stick.
Sea-Independence1089@reddit
I live in Seattle. Coyotes are super common and are all over the city. Rattlesnakes are not a thing here. However, spiders are a thing. We have spider season.
lsp2005@reddit
For the first time ever this evening there was a fight between a coyote and a deer close enough to my home I could hear the screams. Normally they appear at different times. The deer family likes to relax in my yard. They let the baby’s have their zoomies on my hill. Once we say a mama deer give birth in the caul to deer twins. We had to explain the miracle of childbirth to my kids. They were about 7 and 5 when it happened.
dopefiendeddie@reddit
I've had no issues with either. Granted, the one rattlesnake species (eastern massasauga rattlesnake) that's found in Michigan is 1. endangered and 2. is found nowhere near where I live, so several things would have to go wrong for me to have issues with them lol
alleinesein@reddit
Southern California - I see coyotes all the time. They cut through our yard nightly. We have a few chonky gopher snakes in the neighborhood that keep the rattlesnakes away. I see the gopher snakes a few times a year. They are pretty chill.
Neenknits@reddit
One of my kid’s sandals was chewed up by a coyote when he left them on the steps. I have to supervise my small dog in the yard. Other than that, there is no issue with them. I occasionally hear them calling, along with raccoon, owls, and frogs.
sillysandhouse@reddit
We have them both in our area. Coyotes we see almost daily. Only a problem if you have outdoor cats or very small dogs.
Rattlesnakes I’ve seen much fewer of but were always wary of them when out on the trails either riding horses or hiking. Definitely wouldn’t let my dog off leash out there if I had one.
Datonecatladyukno@reddit
I was from a suburb. Moved about 35 min away. First time I saw a coyote I thought it was a small dog and kissed at it like a dumbass. I've only seen like 3 since, probably because it told its friend a weird lady was trying to domesticate them
Hopeful_Cry917@reddit
On my cousin's property which use to be my great grandparents farm-you are lucky to go a day without seeing both. Around my apartment-I've never seen either one in the 2 years my mom has lived here.
So it depends on the location. Rattlesnakes are more likely to be in a highly populated area than coyotes though.
ju5tjame5@reddit
I've never encountered a coyote, but it's scary how close they sound when you hear them screaming sometimes.
AssistSignificant153@reddit
Depends on where you are. In Oregon habitat loss has forced coyotes into urban areas where they kill cats and dogs. Rattlers are more common in the desert.
daffodil0127@reddit
I live in New England and we have plenty of coyotes and very few rattlesnakes. The coyotes seem to be thriving in the suburbs. The timber rattlesnakes only live in a small corner of my state that’s not a very populated area.
forwardobserver90@reddit
Coyotes are legal to hunt for a significant portion of the year and tournaments are fairly common in my area. If it wasn’t for a significant amount of hunting there population would explode even more than they already have.
harbinjer@reddit
Only 2 counties in my state have rattlesnakes, so I've never seen one in the wild. I do hear coyotes when I leave the city. I've never had a problem with them, but I'm not a farmer.
I have seen a coyote in San Francisco near Golden Gate park during the day though: that was weird.
dopefiendeddie@reddit
I've had no issues with either. Granted, the one rattlesnake species (eastern massasauga rattlesnake) that's found in Michigan is 1. endangered and 2. is found nowhere near where I live, so several things would have to go wrong for me to have issues with them lol
AnxiousBrilliant3@reddit
Snakes are usually not a big deal, just know which are venomous and stay away. Coyotes are only really an issue if you have pets that go outside.
montanagrizfan@reddit
I live in Montana. I’ve never encountered a rattlesnake in the wild but they aren’t as common in my area. I hear coyotes at night sometimes and they killed a few of my neighbors chickens and I once had to pick up a dead one off the road in front of my house and put it in a trash bag because I didn’t want it to start stinking in the summer heat. You see them in the evening if you’re out driving in a rural area but they tend to avoid people.
Individual_Check_442@reddit
I never have personally encountered any problems with them although we have them in the desert where I live. Usually you’d have to watch out for them more if you go like deeper into the desert on hikes but there can be exceptions. I had a friend who left their window open just a crack while parked to try to get air when it was like 110 degrees in the summer, she got into her car and hear the rattle from the backseat behind her. Scared the living shit out of her but everything was fine!
SummertimeThrowaway2@reddit
Coyotes are basically just stray dogs. They’re not much of a threat to adult humans.
I hike in the arizona desert all the time and I’ve only ever seen one rattlesnake. I saw it while driving to the trailhead, not on the actual trail
OriginalDavid@reddit
Not so much a problem, because I live in an area that has them. Education and signs are part of life.
You learn where they are likely to be and stay on the watch. There was a coyote den about 300ft from my bedroom in an apartment I was in for 8 years. They are nuisance, and not that much of a threat.
Rattlesnakes are different, but you learn where they are likely to be and get hypervigilant in those areas.
You just exist with nature, even with our modern sensibilities.
trinite0@reddit
We've got coyotes all over the place, but they're nocturnal and they don't really bother people. I think I hit one while driving once.
I've never seen or heard a rattlesnake in my 40 years of life. They do live in my state, though.
cosmicloafer@reddit
I’m constantly being attacked by them. Fortunately I can just shoot them with all my machine guns.
JerryCat11@reddit
I used to have a coyote that would swing by my yard everyday, him and the raccoons didn’t like each other. Rattlesnakes will usually let you know they’re there, and you usually only see them in wooded areas, or the desert if you’re out west.
Top-Web3806@reddit
Don’t think I’ve ever seen either in all my 40 years.
u6crash@reddit
It's a concern if you keep animals in a rural area. My sister sometimes has them visit her property. I don't live far away, but I"m in town and you really only see them on the outskirts of town.
tsukiii@reddit
Not me as a human. But you definitely cannot leave small pets outdoors unattended where I live or they’ll be coyote food. Rattlesnakes I see occasionally while hiking, but I’ve never had a run in with one. You just have to be aware and watch where you step.
ZealousidealAnt111@reddit
As someone who grew up in Phoenix, it’s decently common. I also lived near a mountain so that didn’t help.
No-Environment6103@reddit
More pets than people they cause problems to.