Fox Or Coyote? Hoboken Residents Argue Over Newly Seen Wildlife (PHOTOS)

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken residents have found a new argument to replace "What's the best pizza in town?" Since mid February, they've been spotting rarely seen wildlife in town in the form of coyotes and foxes.

They've also been arguing on social media over whether coyote photos are really fox photos, or vice versa (see below).

It's not their fault — it's only recently that coyotes were spotted in Hudson County.

Yet Hoboken isn't alone as far as urban coyote sightings — a coyote was captured by the New York Police Department in Queens on Wednesday after it was skulking in several backyards.

So what's going on here? Don't they belong on the prairie?

And isn't this all a bit Looney Tunes?

Coyote Contender

In mid-February, Hoboken residents began posting on Facebook that they'd seen a coyote near Elysian Park, the north waterfront park that was featured in the Marlon Brando film "On The Waterfront."

A day later, a spokeswoman for the Hoboken police confirmed that someone had called in a coyote sighting in the center of town, near Seventh Street.

Then, a coyote (or fox) was spotted the following Saturday gallivanting on Tenth Street, near the park:

Experts say the increase in people staying inside has allowed the creatures to get bolder. Local residents have wondered if development could be pushing them out of their habitats.

A coyote was spotted in North Bergen in January 2022, according to a photo on Twitter. The state of New Jersey says that coyotes weren't reported in Hudson County until after 1995.

“They’re in Jersey City, they’re in Hoboken, they’re everywhere,” said Christian Crosby, a Ph.D. candidate in the Rutgers University Department of Ecology, back in 2021.

The Smithsonian notes that coyotes have been succeeding in cities because they don't have to fear hunters and traps, and can find food such as squirrels.

This week, several Hoboken residents posted on social media about seeing a fox, with some saying it was close to the city's northern border with Weehawken, along the Palisades hills, while others spotted a fox near the southern border with Jersey City.

What To Do

In Hoboken, Police Chief Steven Aguiar gave recommendations that came from U.S. Animal Damage Control.

"The city and Police Department take reports of any possible wildlife sightings seriously," said a spokesperson.

The recommendations:

• Do not feed
• Leave it alone
• Be careful of small dogs and/or cats if pets are left outdoors
• If you are to come in contact with wildlife such as a fox, make noise. For example: whistle or bang on something.
• Members of the public can call US Animal Damage control at 908-735-4513 for more information.

Mating And 'Denning' Seasons

Law enforcement agencies and wildlife experts in the metropolitan area have said February through March is mating season for coyotes, and it's also the start of "denning season" for foxes protecting their newborns.

And then the Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City has a word about this local stinker:

But the coyotes and foxes are no laughing matter. They may have rabies, which is always fatal. In addition, they can attack pets, particularly cats.

The State Division of Fish and Wildlife says: "Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk. Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats. Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannotbe tipped over. Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates. Bring pets in at night."

Meanwhile, another creature was in Elysian Park two weeks ago, watching the coyote...like a hawk.

Or is it a baby eagle?

Got your own photo of unusual wildlife in Hoboken or Jersey City? Send it to Patch here.