Galveston Island State Park recently shared video of several coyotes darting in and out of the waves after dark, prompting a flurry of reactions from locals who were surprised to see the animals treating the Gulf like a playground.
“Coyotes dive in for survival as much as play!” park officials wrote. “The water cools them off, hides their scent, and even helps them chase a meal or cross into new territory.”
“Turns out the ocean’s not just for us… it’s their highway, hunting area, hideout, and playground too,” officials added.
The footage wasn’t entirely unexpected for some Galveston residents. In the comments, several people said they’ve spotted coyotes trotting along the beach or near the water’s edge during early morning hours.
“The saltwater kills ticks, fleas, can get rid of skin irritations they may have and also cools them off,” one person wrote. “It’s probably why you don’t see many coyotes with mange down here compared to farther north in the state.”
Others preferred a simpler explanation.
“Can’t they just be having fun?” one commenter asked.
“Our island’s wildlife makes us so unique!” another added.
Not everyone was thrilled by the footage.
“First alligators, now coyotes,” one commenter wrote, adding that they used to visit the beach at night with family members to relax and look at the stars but are now more hesitant to do so. “Maybe they were always around, but I never knew about [them].”
Ghost wolves have drawn national attention in recent years because they may contain some of the highest concentrations of red wolf ancestry remaining in the wild.
Coyotes are powerful swimmers and are known to cross rivers, lakes and even ocean channels while searching for food, mates or new territory.
Earlier this year, a lone male coyote captured international attention after swimming through the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay to reach Alcatraz Island. Researchers later determined the animal had actually made a roughly 2-mile swim from Angel Island State Park.