
A coyote sits Thursday morning at the base of Mount David on the Bates College campus in Lewiston. Coyotes are known to migrate into urban areas to find more food and look for mates this time of year. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
LEWISTON — At first glance, you’d swear the animal sat and patiently posed for the photographer’s camera.
Sun Journal’s Russ Dillingham on Thursday photographed a coyote sitting prettily at the base of Davis Mountain near Bates College. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear the coyote wandered near the photographer’s home specifically to have its picture taken.
“I opened my front door this morning and he was just running up the street,” Dillingham said. “I drove around a little bit and there he was, sitting at the bottom of Davis Mountain.”
When Dillingham broke out his camera, the coyote didn’t stir as you’d expect wildlife to do.
“He just sat there and posed like that,” Dillingham said.
Tom Roth, a wildlife guide and columnist for the Maine Sportsman, said there does not appear to be anything wrong with the coyote hanging out in Dillingham’s neighborhood.
“That is clearly a very healthy coyote,” Roth said.
Lewiston Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout said he hasn’t been getting calls about coyote sightings in the area. Even so, it’s not completely unheard of to see the animals in populated areas.
“It is completely natural to see coyotes in urban settings now because they’re sprawl is increasing and they are living amongst us,” Roth said. “They have adapted to live within our areas and are probably responsible for many of the missing cats.”
Shortly after taking the photo of the coyote near Davis Mountain, also called Mount David, Dillingham returned to the area and saw the coyote once again, running across a neighbor’s backyard. The animal may have particularly good reasons to be on the move at this time of year.
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, late January and February is mating season for coyotes. After a gestation of 63 days, female coyotes will give birth to an average of four pups from late March to May.
Wildlife officials say standard steps should be followed to avoid contact with coyotes. They including making sure that pet food, garbage or other food items are not left outside the home and accessible to the animals.
Small pets may be seen as prey by coyotes, according to the MDIFW, and so should be kept under control and not free to roam where coyotes may be present.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.