With rural areas rapidly disappearing under new subdivisions and shopping malls, wildlife experts are warning residents to get used to the idea of the urban coyote.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 50 sightings of coyotes and foxes have been reported to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn from residents in towns such as Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Downers Grove and Itasca.
"Coyotes have adapted to living in an urban environment because there is an increase in living space and they are making do with the food supply that's available," said Keston Woodyat, a naturalist at Willowbrook.
They may look from a distance like small dogs, but the coyote and the fox have several distinguishing characteristics. The coyote is a gray or reddish-gray, has a bushy tail and a longer, skinnier muzzle than most dogs and tend to be about the size of a small collie. The fox also has an elongated, pointed muzzle, large pointed ears, moderately long legs and a bushy tail, Woodyat said.
Both are open-land creatures that tend to stay away from humans, but humans keep moving into their turf. As houses go up and trees come down, coyote populations around residential areas adjacent to forest preserves are increasing, Woodyat said.
Dan Ludwig, a DuPage County Forest Preserve District animal ecologist, said Willowbrook plans to study the coyote population this summer to get a better sense of numbers and habits.
People wrongly fear the animals will eat dogs and cats, naturalists say. On the contrary, they serve humans' interests. As much as 85 percent of a coyote's diet consists of waterfowl, deer mice and rabbits and other small mammals, and a fox has an appetite for mice and other small rodents.
"They are good at rodent control," Woodyat said.
Some coyotes and foxes may be dining, though, on human or dog food people leave in their yards and neighborhoods.
There are no reports of coyotes or foxes attacking people, but people may be bitten if they try to feed them.
Naturalists suggested that people feed their pets inside, particularly at dusk and dawn, keep trash cans inside until the morning of garbage pickup and make sure the lids are secure.
"If you spot a den, do not approach it, especially in spring when young are present," Woodyat said.
If an injured coyote or fox is spotted, the phone number for DuPage County Animal Control is 630-682-7197. To report a sighting, the Willowbrook Wildlife Center is at 630-942-6200.