How high can a fence prevent coyotes from jumping over it?

Living near a coyote area can be scary, especially for families with children or pets. Coyotes can jump at impressive heights and are dangerous when encountered by humans or other domestic animals. With the right leverage, these predators can jump up to 8 feet high and often do not hesitate to act on their predatory instincts.

Coyote attacks are futile. They also carry rabies. Coyote attacks on humans are rare, but there are many reports of it; same goes with domestic pets. Keep eye contact or create a loud noise to shoo a coyote away.

But in times of panic, one can be unsure whether it’ll be performed successfully, so a much better option is keeping them away and secured from your home. One of the best ways to safeguard your home from coyotes is fencing. It is one of the safest ways to secure your home and your family while being cost-efficient with proper selection and maintenance.

In this article, we’re going to help you choose your best fencing option and determine which type, height, and material is best, considering many factors such as coyotes’ jumping height and strength, and give you tips as well to detect a nearby coyote.

How High Can Coyotes Jump?

Coyotes are known to jump impressive heights, being members of the wild. A coyote can jump up to 6 feet high on average and up to 8 feet with the right leverage, especially when in a hunt for food. They use their front paws to climb on objects, then their back ones to clamber the rest of their way up. Coyotes are known to leap over objects taller than them.

If a fence has gripping points, like the chain-link fence, they can use their claws to scale over and climb higher. Furthermore, coyotes are strategic animals. Apart from leaping, if a fence is not buried deep into your ground, they can dig under to enter.

With that, here are some tips you can consider for your fence’s height and structure to further secure your house from these smart animals. One pro tip is to add deterrents to make it more complicated for coyotes to clear the fence.

Install Angled Tops

Manmade innovations are steps ahead of these smart animals. You can confuse coyotes by installing an outward-facing angled top. Angle it at 45 degrees. This simple modification is both effective and budget-friendly.

Coyote Rollers

Coyote rollers are rotating cylinders typically placed on top of fences. Installing these rollers is an effective method for preventing coyotes from successfully climbing over the fence, as they will lose their grip as it spins, making it difficult for them to balance.

Install Fence Extensions

If you have an existing fence that you think doesn’t have enough height, you can install an extension that will add both height and preventative measures. Two examples are spiky mesh or electric spiral wires.

Why Do Coyotes Jump Fences?

Like other animals, coyotes are driven by instinct to survive and are constantly working to acquire food. They jump fences for many reasons.

Attractive Food Sources

Coyotes, as said, are smart animals. They see domestic houses as easy access to food. If small pets, poultry, garbage, or leftover food are visible, coyotes will find a way to access these and, when needed, are ready to put up a fight.

Here are some examples of food they’re attracted to:

Pets – small dogs, cats, and chickens

Livestock – goats, sheep

Garbage – compost that smells like leftover food, improperly stored or uncovered in a bin

Looking for Shelter

During breeding seasons, cold months, or even storm surges, coyotes look for safer shelters to stay or keep their young ones. Their ideal shelters are usually dense bushes, deserted backyards, and secluded areas away from humans and animal predators. Access to these is a common cause for them to jump on barriers and fences.

Seeking Mates

Between January and March, coyotes tend to get more aggressive. During mating seasons, they get exploratory and actively seek out mates. At this time, they are more protective of their territories as well.

This season causes them to jump on barriers and fences more frequently as they travel greater distances during their search.

What Types of Fences Can Coyotes Jump Over?

There are many types of fences coyotes can jump over, as not all fences are the same when it comes to deterring them. Some can be too weak to hold up during a coyote intrusion or too climbable for their claws and paws. It can be beneficial to understand what types can a coyote easily jump or climb over and understand their weaknesses, so you can choose or modify your fence accordingly.

Chain-link Fences

This type of fence is an easy fence to climb for coyotes. This type of fence has spaces between steel links, providing footholds for them. Hence, without modifications or additional installations, coyotes can easily perch themselves up onto the fence by grabbing on the links and pulling themselves up.

Wooden Fences

While wooden fences provide a bit of protection with their smooth surface and horizontal slats, it is still climbable in instances where a coyote uses gaps between slats or parts of the wood to get leverage and climb up. It may be ideal to add more height to this fence, but it may still need deterrents.

Privacy Fences

Though privacy fences made of vinyl offer less climbing risk with their smooth surface, if the fence isn’t high enough, coyotes may still be able to jump over it. To increase its effectiveness, you can add deterrents.

How to Recognize Signs of Coyote Activity Near Your Property？

Apart from safeguarding your family and shelter with fences, you can take more safety measures by recognizing signs of their presence near your property. This way, you can prevent potential risks for your kids or pets, especially when they are left playing in your yard.

Coyote Tracks

Coyote tracks resemble dog tracks but with slight differences. It is typically oval-shaped, and narrow, and the tips are sharper. They walk in a straight line, and their prints measure about 2.5 to 3 inches long.

Scat

You can scan for scat near fence lines. This is a sign that a coyote is attempting to enter your property or at least patrolling. Their droppings are tubular and may contain bones or hair.

Digging or Scratching

Coyotes opt to dig for entry instead of climbing if a fence is not buried deep in the ground. Look for freshly dug dirt near your fences.

Howling or Yipping

Coyotes are also known for yipping — their form of communication, alerting their pack or establishing territory. If you hear howling, barking, or yipping at either dusk or dawn, it may be a coyote pack lurking nearby.

Other Ways to Deter Coyotes Besides Fencing

Fencing is by far the safest and most effective measure for keeping coyotes at bay, but there are other measures you can consider to further enhance your property’s security.

Sealing Garbage and Compost

Cover your bins and keep your yard clean. This will prevent food smells from spreading and attracting coyotes.

Avoid Leaving Pets and Their Food Outside Unattended

Pets and, of course, pet food are food for coyotes. They come to properties with readily available food sources.

Use Coyote Repellent

There are simple repellents on the market that you can purchase. This includes whistles for creating loud noises, pepper sprays, tactical LED flashlights, and more.

Get a Guard Dog

You can get a guard dog to protect your home and even livestock. But you have to select the right breed. Anatolian Shepherd, Kangal, Great Pyrenees, and Boerboel are just some of the best options.

Conclusion

Home should be the safest place for all. Ensuring safety for your family and pets requires a proactive approach and awareness. Durable, coyote deterrent-modified, and tall fences are an effective safety measure. Coyotes are smart and agile animals.

They are impressive climbers and can leap up to 8 feet high. To keep them out, fences should be taller than their jump capability or have additional deterrents installed, such as angled tops, coyote rollers, or electric wires.

Coyotes jump fences since they are attracted to properties with accessible food sources. With that, securing garbage, pet food, and livestock will help prevent attracting coyotes.

Beyond fencing, you can perform other safety measures, such as removing attractants, using repellents, and keeping aware and alert for signs of coyotes nearby. All these strategies will further ensure safety for your home, providing you peace of mind even as you share a space with coyote-infested areas.