An unexpected visitor enters a family’s backyard with no intention of causing harm, but instead, he’s there for one thing and one thing only—a dog toy.
A camera set up outside captured the moment a coyote snuck into the backyard. As it approached the house, the wild animal saw the toy. He grabs it and makes a quick escape, but not before some thorough testing.
The coyote was seen playing with a toy in the grass. He had to make sure it was strong enough to handle his strength. After all, a coyote’s bite force is about 727 PSI, while the average dog is between 200 and 250 PSI.
The footage was shared by u/zeeffft in a Reddit post on January 4 on the subreddit channel r/aww, which brought in over 15,200 upvotes and 385 comments. Reddit users are gushing over the importance of this clip, but they’re also shocked that the camera was able to capture such a beautiful moment.
It’s not very often that you see a coyote at play, but this video shows just how similar they are to dogs. Everyone needs some play time.
“Meeting a coyote connected and playing with a toy I bought would send me over the moon with joy! Thanks for posting this adorable video!” one Reddit user commented.
Another added: “Wow, I’ve never seen a coyote play with anything but another coyote. Amazing! Having the time of his life.”
Newsweek contacted the video creator via Reddit for more information.
Coyotes are moving closer to neighborhoods and homes as their natural habitat and food sources shrink, according to the American Kennel Club. And as they approach humans, pets and even beloved pets become victims.
That’s why it’s important for pet parents to be aware of coyote dangers, especially for those who live in areas with higher populations of wild animals, such as California, Oregon, and Arizona.
The AKC recommends using a coyote vest and/or a leash when walking your dog, saying that most coyotes are hesitant around people. Keeping your dog close to you will make the coyote less likely to attack. However, having something that makes a loud noise like a dog whistle, bells, or a horn can also help scare them away.
Never leave your dog unattended when you are at home, especially without a proper fence. If this video isn’t enough of an indication, coyotes can get out of backyards without issue. Owners should also add coyote-proof fencing to the yard, keep some lights on at night, and clean up after their dogs because the smell can attract other animals.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or photos of your pet that you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they can appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.