Key behaviors / ecological drivers
The main breeding (mating) season for coyotes in Southern California typically runs from January through March. laist.com+2sylmarneighborhoodcouncil.org+2
During this time coyotes may increase scent-marking, vocalizing (yips/howls) and moving more widely to establish or reaffirm territories. burbankca.gov+1
Even though many coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk, in urban settings their activity may shift to times when human activity is lower. cms3.revize.com+1
Implications for residents in Los Angeles
Keep pets (especially small dogs or cats) indoors or well-supervised, particularly during early morning/late evening.
Avoid leaving pet food, water bowls, fallen fruit or unsecured garbage outside. These are attractants. beverlyhills.org+1
If you spot a coyote: don’t panic, but don’t ignore it. Maintain distance, keep pets close, and if needed use “hazing” behaviors (wave arms, make noise) to re-establish that coyotes should keep a respectful distance. laist.com+1
Key behaviors / ecological drivers
Pups are typically born during this period (roughly March–May) in the Los Angeles / Southern California region. laist.com+2laist.com+2
As pups are born and hidden in dens, the adult coyotes will be busy provisioning: hunting more, moving between den sites & foraging areas, possibly increasing daytime visibility. cms3.revize.com+1
The denning period (when pups are being cared for near the den) often extends into the summer, meaning increased activity from the family unit. laist.com
Implications for residents in Los Angeles
Increased caution needed around yards, parks, trails adjacent to hill/mountain/back-canyon areas: dens may be in places you wouldn’t expect (underground culverts, storm drains, shrubs). burbankca.gov+1
Supervise pets outdoors—especially cats left outside, or dogs off-leash near green space edges.
Remove attractants: bird feeders, fallen fruit, unsecured compost, pet food bowls outside. Coyotes will opportunistically exploit these. windsorsquare.org+1
Key behaviors / ecological drivers
The pups that were born earlier in spring will begin to emerge and explore; family groups of adult plus young may travel together. laist.com+1
Coyotes may appear more “visible” in suburban/urban edges: the young are exploring, the adults still provisioning.
Water and shade become more limiting in hot months—so movement might increase to find these resources, and coyotes may venture closer to human-habited areas. burbankca.gov+1
Implications for residents in Los Angeles
Don’t assume fewer interactions because it’s “just summer”: in many cases, the reverse. The pups’ exploration + adult foraging = increased chances of seeing coyotes.
For yard design: reduce dense shrub/undergrowth where coyotes might hide or den/lie in wait. beverlyhills.org
Avoid letting pets roam freely at dusk/dawn when coyotes might be active.
Keep pools, water bowls, bird baths tidy and not overflowing with rodents (which attract coyotes).
Key behaviors / ecological drivers
By fall, the pups may start dispersing (leaving the den/family territory) and looking for their own home ranges. This tends to increase movement and exploration. laist.com+1
As prey availability shifts (and the seasons change), coyotes may alter foraging habits, possibly relying more on anthropogenic food sources (garbage, pets, domestic bird feeders) if natural prey becomes sparse. cms3.revize.com
In urbanized L.A. areas, coyotes are strongly influenced by human land-use, built infrastructure, population density, and socio-economic factors (which affect food availability, trash management, human tolerance). nature.berkeley.edu+1
Implications for residents in Los Angeles
Especially be vigilant if you live near canyon edges, hillsides, urban-wildland interface zones: young coyotes may appear in neighbourhoods where they’ve not been common before.
Secure trash, pick up fallen fruit from trees, cover compost bins, remove lean-to shelters.
Continue pet supervision, especially small animals.
If you notice a coyote frequenting the same location repeatedly, behaving bold (e.g., approaching pets, children, human areas)–report it. Because habitual behavior is more of a concern than a one-off sighting.
Urban studies show that in L.A., coyotes’ movement and home-range behavior are shaped not just by natural habitat, but by human infrastructure (roads, rail, flood channels), population density, pollution, and neighborhood wealth. Coyotes in more heavily developed/polluted areas may travel farther and have to “work harder” for resources. SFGATE+1
Even though sightings may seem to be increasing, especially daylight ones, this often reflects urban coyotes adapting rather than a drastic population explosion.
Many L.A. municipalities (e.g., Beverly Hills, West Hollywood) provide community guidance for co-existence rather than eradication. beverlyhills.org+1