You've probably heard coyotes howling at the pale moonlight during a camping trip, maybe you've even spotted one at a state park or out in the country.
But reports from residents in a northwest Austin neighborhood suggest these wild animals are closer to homes than some folks are comfortable with.
Kieran Green has plenty of coyotes in his backyard, but he might handle the situation slightly better than your average person, since he's a coyote enthusiast.
Green said he'd estimate that there are at least 20 coyotes living on his property. He doesn't have pictures to prove it, but he does have a recording from his back porch of them howling.
If you think you'll only see a coyote in the country, you might want to think again. Neighbor Steven Weintraub and his son spotted a coyote on a residential street in Shoal Creek.
"That they are in this neighborhood kind of surprises me," Weintraub said.
It doesn't surprise urban biologist Kelly Bender. Through urban sprawl people move into coyote territory. She said coyotes can be spotted just about anywhere.
"Whether it's in the city or the country in grasslands in the woods coyotes go just about everywhere," she said.
Not everyone is happy to coexist with these creatures. Dorinda Pulliam of City of Austin Animal Services said they consistently field questions from residents about coyotes.
"Pretty regularly we get phone calls from citizens who are concerned about coyotes," she said.
Coyotes, after all, are wild and dangerous known to prey on small animals like cats and dogs.
"Up in Shoal Creek we had an increase in loss of cats and small dogs and an increased sighting of coyotes running in the greenbelts and that sort of thing," she said.
The city tracks these calls. Texas Wildlife Services kills coyotes that are out of control, but eradicating coyotes is not the solution.
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Coyotes spotted
Coyotes are being spotted in increasing numbers in northwest Austin and even in a N. Shoal Creek neighborhood.
 
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"It's really important we keep a predator in the ecosystem for the health of the entire ecosystem," Bender said.
The solution, according to the city, is educating the public. The first rule is to never feed a coyote or leave food out, especially if you live near a wooded area.
"When a coyote starts to take food from humans then they start to associate humans with food. Then they'll lose their fear of humans and start to approach them," Bender said.
A coyote hasn't killed a human in recent history but experts say people, like Kieran, need to be aware and take precautions for their sake and their pets.
"We are all on this planet. We all have to live together," Pulliam said.
Knowing how to live together will prevent problems in the future and enable coyotes to continue to be a part of Kieran's adventures and imagination.
Kieran and his younger sister Cameryn don't typically wonder into the woods by themselves. They were only there to show News 8 where they saw the coyote.
Experts say to never leave children outside unattended if coyotes have been spotted. If you see a coyote you are urged to call 311.
