Coyotes are fascinating creatures that inhabit many different ecosystems across North America. They are highly adaptable and intelligent animals that have learned to thrive in urban and suburban environments. When it comes to their vocalizations, coyotes have an extensive repertoire of sounds they use to communicate with each other. But what does a coyote sound like when it’s feeling scared or threatened? In this article, we’ll explore the various noises coyotes make when they are frightened and what each vocalization means.
The Four Main Coyote Calls
Coyotes have four main types of calls they utilize to interact with each other and express themselves. These include:
- Howls – Long, wavering cries used to communicate over long distances.
- Yips – Short, high-pitched barks used to gather the pack or express alarm.
- Barks – Aggressive, deep barks signaling a threat.
- Whines – Submissive vocalizations to communicate with mates or pups.
When feeling fearful, coyotes will often utilize yips, barks, and whines more so than howls. Let’s explore each of these vocalizations in more detail.
Yips
Yips are short, high-pitched barks that almost sound like small dog barks. They serve several communicative functions:
- Gathering the pack – Yips call the attention of other coyotes to a location or event.
- Alarm/danger – Yips communicate potential threats in the area.
- Location identification – Yips help pack members identify each other’s position.
When alarmed or scared, coyotes will emit rapid strings of yips. This signals danger to the pack and helps them locate each other. The rate of yips typically increases as the threat level escalates. These frequent, frantic yip-yip-yips put the whole pack on high alert.
Barks
Coyote barks are much deeper and more aggressive than yips. They serve as alarm calls and warnings. Some key uses of barks include:
- Territorial warnings – Barks are used to ward off rival coyotes.
- Threat signaling – Barks indicate the presence of a significant threat.
- Prey defense – Barks scare off predators attempting to steal their kills.
When coyotes are feeling scared, barks communicate imminent danger to the pack. Barks often precede a coyote attacking or retreating from a substantial threat like a mountain lion or wolf. Deep, abrupt barks indicate high anxiety and aggression in coyotes.
Whines
Whines are submissive, higher-pitched vocalizations. They are used in close-range communication between pack members. Some specific uses of whines are:
- Welcoming pack members – Whines communicate affection and belonging.
- Begging – Young coyotes whine when soliciting food from adults.
- Submission – Whines acknowledge dominance and show acquiescence.
When scared, coyotes may emit plaintive whines to signal submission or calm pack mates. These whines communicate compliance and ease tension. They demonstrate the coyote is not a threat to more dominant pack members.
What a Coyote Sounds Like When Scared
Now that we’ve covered the main vocalizations coyotes utilize to interact, let’s examine exactly what they sound like when feeling fearful and threatened:
- Rapid, frantic strings of yips – High-pitched and hurried yipping indicates alarm.
- Loud, abrupt barks – Deep, jarring barks signal something scaring the coyote.
- Pitiful whines – Drawn-out, wavering whines demonstrate submission.
- Combinations of yips, barks, and whines – Layering these vocalizations together amplifies meaning.
The overall impression is a cacophony of panicked sounds trying to signal danger. As threats escalate, coyotes will increase the pace, volume, and urgency of their vocalizations. Short yips morph into insistent barks coupled with distressing whines.
Here are some audio examples of how coyotes sound when frightened:
[Insert embedded audio examples of scared coyote vocalizations]
As you can hear, distressed coyote calls are hurried, discordant, and intense. This reflects the coyote’s fearful emotional state.
Reasons Why Coyotes Make Scared Noises
Coyotes make alarmed vocalizations in response to both environmental and human threats. Some common triggers include:
Predators
Coyotes instinctively fear larger predators like wolves, mountain lions, and bears. Even domestic dogs can activate this defensive reaction. When confronted, coyotes will bark warnings and yip in distress.
Protecting Dens
Coyotes are extremely protective of their dens and pups. Aggressive barks and yips help scare off any perceived threats to their offspring.
Territory Intruders
Other coyotes entering a pack’s defined territory will be frightened off with barks. This serves as a warning to avoid confrontation when resources are limited.
Prey Defense
If other animals like foxes or eagles try to steal a fresh coyote kill, the coyote will use barks and yips to scare them away even if no food remains.
Human Encounters
As coyotes adapt to urban living, they may feel threatened when encountering humans. Dogs, loud noises, and unknown environments can also trigger frightened coyote calls.
Injured/Trapped
When injured or trapped, coyotes will whine, bark, and yip loudly to call the pack for help. These sounds communicate panic and distress.
As you can see, coyotes have many reasons for feeling scared and threatened in the wild. Their vocalizations serve as adaptive responses to potential danger in their environment.
What To Do If You Hear a Scared Coyote
If you encounter coyote alarm calls in the wild, here are some tips:
- Never approach the coyote and give them space.
- Back away slowly while creating noise to scare off the coyote.
- Pick up any pets as coyotes may view them as prey.
- Report any injured/trapped coyotes to animal control.
- Avoid the area for several hours to let the coyote calm down.
While coyote attacks on humans are very rare, it is best to exercise caution when they are clearly frightened. Their barks and yips suggest they are agitated, so move away calmly without running.
Leaving the area quickly can help ease any stress for both you and the coyote. If the coyote is injured or confined, notify wildlife officials for safe removal and relocation. Otherwise, maintain your distance until the cries subside.
Why Scared Coyote Noises Are Important
On the surface, the panicked sounds of a frightened coyote may seem like pointless noise. But these vocalizations serve several key purposes:
- Communication – Alerts the pack to danger and locations.
- Warning – Signals threats to stay away from territory/dens.
- Defense – Scares away rival coyotes and predators.
- Alarm – Keeps the pack vigilant about safety and resources.
- Subordination – Whines convey non-threatening intent.
These noises help coyotes survive in the wild despite their small size. Barking and yipping have likely saved many coyotes from death over the centuries. So while the loud cries may seem annoying and unnecessary to us, they serve a vital evolutionary purpose.
Mimicking Coyote Sounds
Some hunters and wildlife photographers have learned to mimic the sounds distressed coyotes make. Here are some tips for reproducing accurate coyote vocalizations:
Equipment Needed
- Game caller with distressed coyote settings
- Coyote call handheld devices or apps
- Mouth-blown predator calls
- Electronic speakers/amplifier for playing digitized sounds
High-quality electric and mouth-operated game callers can simulate authentic coyote cries. Apps, Speakers, and specialized devices also provide realistic options.
Realistic Sound Elements
- Rapid, erratic yipping
- Deep gruff barks
- High-pitched whines
- Yelps, growls, howls
- Combining multiple sounds
Incorporate these elements at different pitches and tempos. Mimic escalating fear and urgency based on the scenario. Match the intensity and cacophony of a live frightened coyote call.
When/How to Use
- During coyote hunting season to draw targets
- Photographing coyotes by simulating territorial threats
- Researching and evaluating coyote responses
- Start with alarmed yips then layer in barks/whines
- Maintain the frantic pace and vocals of a scared coyote
Following these best practices allows accurate imitation of a distressed coyote call in the wild. Just be sure to only utilize these vocalizations in appropriate contexts.
Conclusion
When scared or threatened, coyotes produce a wide range of vocalizations like yips, barks, and whines. These alarmed calls serve to gather the pack, signal danger, and convey submissive intent. High-pitched, erratic yipping indicates the coyote is frightened and warning others away. Deep abrupt barks reflect imminent threat and aggression. Whines demonstrate the coyote is not a danger itself. Understanding these panic-stricken coyote sounds can help educate people on properly reacting to coyote encounters. While alarming, these vocalizations are key to coyote communication and survival in the wild. So next time you hear a coyote making loud distressed calls, remember they are just trying to stay safe!