Coyote & Bobcat Removal in Colorado

Southwest Colorado Local Animal Control

Coyotes & Bobcats

Scientific name (coyote): Canis latrans

Scientific name (bobcat): Lynx rufus

Coyotes and bobcats are both mid-sized predators native to Southwest Colorado.

Coyotes are a member of the dog family resembling small German shepherds. They can vary significantly in size, color, and appearance. The most typical coloring is brown-gray with a light gray or cream underside.

Breeding season is usually between January and early March. Although pups are born in the spring and are weened by six weeks, the adults and pups will typically stay together until fall or early winter. 

Predation by coyotes increases in the spring and summer as they raise their young. This corresponds to when young calves, sheep and other livestock are on pasture, making these animals vulnerable for attack.

Bobcats resemble a large house cat, averaging about 19 lbs. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby (or “bobbed”) tail. 

Bobcats inhabit wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edge, and swampland environments. Populations are vulnerable to local extinction by coyotes and domestic animals.

Though these predators are small, do not underestimate their power. The bobcat prefers rabbits and hares for food, but it will also hunt geese, other birds, rodents and deer. They occasionally prey on small livestock such as sheep, goats or poultry as well.

Both coyotes and bobcats are typically very shy creatures when it comes to humans. However, they can become dangerous if they are sick or injured.