Triple digits are not the only thing Tucson summers bring.
The hot, dry weather may bring coyotes into neighborhoods, too, as they look for water and food, according the the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
As the temperatures rise, coyotes will "be seeking water wherever they can find it. If there is a water source in your backyard and they encounter a cat or a small dog while there, they may take it," Raul Vega, regional supervisor of Game and Fish in Tucson, said in a news release.
Vega added that water sources can include a pet's water bowl and swimming pools or birdbaths. Food can include pets and birds, or rodents attracted to bird feeders, pet food, garbage or fallen fruit.
The heat can also prompt coyotes to seek shelter in places such as storm drains or any cavelike area under a shed or unused building.
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It's not a good idea to ignore a coyote near your home, he said, because it can cause it to lose its natural fear of people. That could lead to more aggressive behavior.
He said making loud noises, throwing small stones or cans or spraying a coyote with a water hose are ways to discourage the animal from returning to the area.
A commercial repellent like Mace can also be used on a coyote that refuses to leave, he said.
Homeowners can also call a wildlife control business to have the coyote captured and removed for a fee.
Small pets left unattended outside should be in a secure enclosure with a roof, as coyotes can jump fences, he said.

