Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever food is available. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals as well as young deer and sheep. They will also feed from the carcasses of dead animals and will accept handouts from people in the form of table scraps, pet food and garbage. Coyotes are found throughout California, from deserts and mountain habitats to urban areas. They have certainly become much more common on and around Mt Diablo in recent years.
Problems occur when people begin feeding coyotes, either deliberately or inadvertently.
Coyotes will quickly lose their natural fear of people and become bold, even aggressive. Pets are sometimes injured or killed by coyotes. Coyotes on Mt Diablo tend to live alone or in breeding pairs. Alone, in pairs or in packs, coyotes maintain territories by marking with urine. They also use calls to defend territories.