MASSACHUSETTS - If you live in the Greater Boston area or the MetroWest suburbs and have noticed a larger, more confident predator patrolling your neighborhood this week, you aren't alone. MassWildlife officials and local animal control officers are issuing warnings about a "brazen" spike in wildlife activity that is catching residents off guard: The Eastern Coyote.
MASSACHUSETTS - If you live in the Greater Boston area or the MetroWest suburbs and have noticed a larger, more confident predator patrolling your neighborhood this week, you aren't alone. MassWildlife officials and local animal control officers are issuing warnings about a "brazen" spike in wildlife activity that is catching residents off guard: The Eastern Coyote.
While coyotes are a common sight in the Commonwealth, their behavior right now is shifting. Reports are flooding in from Burlington, Newton, and Plymouth of these predators appearing in broad daylight, refusing to back down from dog walkers, and even loitering on porches.
Here is why this is happening now and what every Massachusetts homeowner needs to know to keep their family safe.
The "Brazen" Behavior: Why Now?
The sudden boldness isn't random—it is biological. January through March is coyote mating season.
During these winter months, coyotes are more active, highly territorial, and significantly less afraid of humans than usual.
- Male Aggression: Male coyotes are currently driven by hormones. They view large dogs (even Golden Retrievers or Labs) not as prey, but as competition for a mate. They may approach leashed dogs to "escort" them out of their territory.
- Daylight Hunting: While typically nocturnal, the need to find a mate and increased caloric needs push them to hunt during the day. Dawn and dusk are currently "peak danger" times for pet owners.
The "Coywolf" Factor
The "Eastern Coyote" found in Massachusetts is genetically distinct from the smaller western coyote. Often referred to as a "Coywolf," they carry wolf DNA that makes them larger (up to 50 lbs), smarter, and incredibly adaptable to suburban life.
They are no longer just "deep woods" animals. They are thriving in the patches of woods behind housing developments in Arlington, Waltham, and the South Shore.
New Urgency for 2026
The situation has become pressing enough that towns like Burlington and Brookline have previously had to issue specific alerts during this season. MassWildlife emphasizes that "passive coexistence" doesn't work when animals lose their fear of humans.
3 Steps to Protect Your Home
If you spot a coyote in your yard, do not just watch it. You must re-instill their fear of humans.
- The "Haze" Method: If a coyote is staring at you, be loud. Wave your arms, yell, use an air horn, or throw tennis balls. If you run inside, you teach the coyote that it owns the yard.
- The "Leash" Rule: MassWildlife strictly advises keeping dogs on leashes. An invisible fence is not a barrier to a coyote. They can and will cross it to get to a small dog.
- Check Your Trash: A fed coyote is a dead coyote. If they associate your neighborhood with easy calories (unsecured trash, bird feeders), they will return with their pack.
