Urban Coyotes

Scientists in the Field

by Mary Kay Carson, Tom Uhlman (Illustrator)

A new addition to the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series, Urban Coyotes follows the scientists of the Urban Coyote Research Project as they track, study, and care for coyotes living among humans in one of America's largest cities, Chicago. But that’s the thing about coyotes. They don’t necessarily do what’s typical or usual, nor what’s expected or predicted. Coyotes are rule breakers.  The fourth largest metropolitan area in North America is home to more than nine million people and a surprisingly large population of coyotes. Join the wildlife scientists of the Urban Coyote Research Project as they carry on their twenty-five-year Studying the coyotes of Cook County, Illinois, home to the city of Chicago. Explore questions such as "Where did the coyotes come from—and why?," "Are they a danger to Chicagoans?," and "Do predators create healthier urban ecosystems?" with real-life scientists in the field. Started by urban ecologist Stan Gehrt in the late 1990s when coyotes were first noticed entering the Chicago region, the Urban Coyote Research Project's mission is to help coyotes and human city dwellers live together in peace. With stunning up-close photography by Tom Uhlman, author Mary Kay Carson offers an in-depth look into how these mystifying wild creatures, and those dedicated to studying and protecting them, navigate urban spaces.

Genres: Animals, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Environment, Childrens

80 pages, Hardcover

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Mary Kay Carson is an award-winning children’s nonfiction author. She has written more than thirty books for young people about wildlife, space, weather, nature, and history. Her recent non-fiction titles include Emi and the Rhino Scientist, about the Cincinnati Zoo's famous rhino mom; Exploring the Solar System, recipient of the 2009 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Children’s Literature Award; The Wright Brothers for Kids; Inside Tornadoes; and the Far-Out Guide to the Solar System series. The author also gives presentations at schools and libraries about space, animals, history, and writing.

Reviews

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for two reasons. Mary Lee gave it a good rating and I had a coyote encounter. I was walking my dog in the park and we came face to face with a coyote. I picked up my dog (small, cute, white, and fluffy) turn in the opposite direction and walked away with my heart pounding. Urban Coyotes taught me that the coyote had no desire to hurt me. However, if my cute little dog was off the leash, he might have been dinner. That is one of the fascinating facts that I learned about coyotes,

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We saw photos and heard their eerie howls during the pandemic. Maybe we’ve seen notices posted in the neighborhood to keep small dogs, cats, and young children indoors because they’ve been spotted in the area. Coyotes are mysterious, often feared, and misunderstood creatures.

“Urban Coyotes” seeks to demonstrate, in a non-threatening way, how coyotes have adapted to urban living. The story follows the work of biologists who study coyotes in the urban sprawl of Chicago. Author Mary Kay Carson takes the reader through the tracking process. The reader also learns how the coyotes are safely caught, tagged, checked for disease, and released. The overall message of the story is that coyotes are an important part of our ecosystem, but humans are still learning about them (and their amazing adaptability) and how to safely (for humans AND coyotes) live with them.

This book is great for upper elementary and middle school students who are interested in biology and/or animals. Frankly, it will help adults better understand these urban dwellers as well.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Kay Carson introduces readers to urban coyote populations and the scientists who research them. The book looks at how they coyote urban populations have grown in recent decades, why they are well suited for city life, how they survive there, and whether their presence is a good or bad thing.

A very interesting look at a medium level predator you can pretty easily find in American cities now. The scientists Carson interviews are working in Chicago, but she mentions how trends are true in other areas as well. I remember the first wild coyote I saw was trotting down the side of a major highway in downtown Columbus, Ohio in the middle of the day (for those familiar with the area, it was 315). The timing of that sighting coincides with the research of the urban coyote growth boom Carson shares. Our 6th graders do a project on environmental topics and we needed more human/animals sharing habitats books so this will be a good addition.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Most of the scientists who appear in the book are white Americans.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Hunting habits are talked about. Nothing gory in description or pictures.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A local story! This book traces the work of the Urban Coyote Research Project in Cook County, IL and what the scientists and techs are learning from a near constant stream of data coming from coyotes the team has captured, collared and released. Urban Ecologist Stan Gehrt founded The Urban Coyote Research Project in the late 1990's when coyotes moved into the Chicago area looking for territory.
Coyotes are a species from the desert west but have now spread out across the whole continent because we removed their predators (wolves) and allowed their preferred food to multiply (rats and mice, chipmunks, rabbits, and deer fawns.) When they enter an urban area, they naturally increase biodiversity and reduce problem overpopulation (among deer and Canadian geese by preying on their young.)
Meet Stan as well as a number of his staff - Shane, Cara, Emily and Blake and learn what their lives are like researching coyotes in Cook County!
A really well done look at how scientists work and what they've learned about coyote behavior.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is impressively consistent. The Glossary and Index, the fact boxes, the colored photos and usually drawings and diagrams offer so much knowledge growth. I would think all science teachers would love to share the ones specific to that teachers science. Coyotes are spectacular creatures who have adapted to living amongst us as we have destroyed so much of their spaces for our homes. This title follows an urban wildlife ecologist to learn about the adaptations these smart canines have made to live in Chicago, one of our biggest metropolitan cities in America.

The format of these students see as picture books, byut there is a huge amount of research and back matter, so I see them as chapter books. Great for middle grade readers who love to see images of scientists at work!

I have this series in my elementary schools and am now getting them into all of our district schools. They will find the people who need them most at each level of public school.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Scientists in the Field series. This edition follows a group of ecologists who track coyotes living in and around Chicago, thus "Urban Coyotes". Readers learn why coyotes are living (and thriving) in urban and suburban areas as well as lots of facts about coyotes in general. The scientists work is also explored, showing how they track, study, and monitor area coyotes to help both coyotes and humans coexist. This is such an excellent series with loads of informative pictures (with captions), but also paragraphs of explanation about scientists and their work. As a dog lover who lives near Chicago, I am especially biased towards this book (though reading about coyotes eating fawns was kind of gross). Backmatter includes information on behavioral ecology, glossary, bibliography, and index.

[Penny Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the "Scientists in the Field" series aimed at middle schoolers, this is an interesting account of how scientists study coyotes in cities. Most of the descriptions and interview subjects are in the Chicago area, with fascinating accounts of how large the urban coyote population is, considering that they stay hidden for the most part. There are color photos on every page, maps, and helpful sidebars. The most interesting segments are on coyote pups, and the process of capturing and tagging coyotes who are then released to their previous homes. Great for reports and for recreational reading.

[Ellen Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly informative book with lots of great information about coyotes and urban ecosystems. I’m probably biased as it’s based on Chicago and I live in the suburbs here. I see coyotes by me all the time and even saw some of their scat on a bike path near my house yesterday. I loved the chart of how humans can help with problematic coyote behavior, and all of the explanations of why this is a beneficial predator that improves ecosystems. The realistic photos were fantastic, who doesn’t like cute pictures of coyote pups? There is a glossary for some of the more challenging vocabulary, an index, additional resources and well put together bibliography.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at coyotes living, and thriving in the urban area of Chicago, IL. A research team tracks, collars, chips, etc to keep track of the population. Who would have thought coyotes would be living in this area and adapting very well? Readers of all ages, especially those who live in areas where coyotes are heard and seen, will learn a great deal from spending time with this book.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical (meaning extraordinary) Scientists in the Field series title. Readers will learn about coyotes in suburbs and cities, and more importantly, will learn how to co-exist with these adaptable predators. Resistance is futile. We need to educate ourselves and live alongside the clever (ok, wily) coyotes.

[Brenda Kahn]

This series remains consistently interesting and relevant. I read a book in 2014 written by Ann Downer called Wild Animal Neighbors, where I first learned about coyotes and other animals adapting to city living.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that delves deep into coyotes living in Chicago’s city and suburbs. Can kids stick with a nonfiction book of this length? Hopefully!
The photos and writing are engaging and the book includes a good amount of back matter.

[Meranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quick, informative read! Great pictures!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A texty, in-depth picture book look at how (and why) coyotes are thriving in urban areas such as Chicago.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at coyotes living, and thriving in the urban area of Chicago, IL.

A research team tracks, collars, chips, etc. to keep track of the population. Who would have thought coyotes would be living in this area and adapting very well? Readers of all ages, especially those who live in areas where coyotes are heard and seen, will learn a great deal from spending time with this book. A glossary, bibliography, index and many photos are included.

Recommended purchase for public and school libraries for readers in middle grades of elementary school as well as middle school.

M.P.
Retired Library Associate