COYOTE
Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Canidae,
Canis Iatrans
The coyote is the cousin to the domestic dog and the wolf. It is native to the prairies and desert
canyons of the West but circumstances have allowed them to extend their range. The coyote is a
medium sized, slender, dog-like carnivore similar in appearance to the red wolf but smaller.
Colors are usually pale, rarely black. The upper parts of the body are generally grayish or brown
in color overlaid with black, tail with a black tip.
Status: Stable
Habitat: Found throughout North America. Coyotes inhabit all life zones of the Desert Southwest
from low valley floors to the crest of the highest mountains, but especially open plains, grasslands
and high mesas. Its natural habitat is open grassland but it will move to wherever food is
available.
Range: The coyote is found throughout North America from Eastern Alaska to New England and
south through Mexico to Panama. It originally ranged in the Northwest corner of the U.S. but has
adapted readily to changes caused by human occupation. Sightings now commonly occur in
Florida, New England and Eastern Canada.
Diet: The coyote has a varied diet. It is able to exist on whatever the area offers in the way of
food. Coyotes eat meat, fish, either fresh or spoiled, and at times eat fruit and vegetable matter
and have been known to raid melon patches. Although the coyote has been observed killing
domestic animals, it does not subsist on these. Food habit studies reveal that its primary diet is
composed of mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, fruits,
berries and wild plants.
Size: Length with tail: 40-60 inches. Shoulder Height: 15-20 inches.
Weight: 15-45 pounds.
Life Span: 15 years in the wild.
Fact File:
The coyote=s vocalization is to send messages among other coyotes.
• Howling is a communication that announces that the coyote is present and this is my area.
It also sends a message that males are not welcome but females are and most coyotes
will answer back letting the original coyote know where they are so there are no conflicts.
• Yelping is a form of criticism or celebration within a small group. It is often heard among
pups.
• A bark is thought to be a threat display if it is protecting itself or a kill.
• Huffing is usually a soft sound made to call the pups without making a great deal of noise.
• Scientific name for coyote means barking dog.
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure
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The coyote’s tail is used in threat displays. It becomes bushy and is held horizontally when
the coyote displays aggression.
Only 5-20-% of coyote pups survive their first year.
The coyote can run at almost 40 MPH and jump over an 8 foot fence.
The coyote can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves.
The coyote is more likely afraid of you than you are of them.
Social Organization and Behavior: Coyotes are one of the most adaptable animals in the
world. The coyote can even change its breeding habits, diet and social dynamics to survive in a
variety of habitats. They can be seen alone, in pairs or in packs. They maintain their territory by
marking with urine. They also use vocalizations to defend their territory as well as for
strengthening social bonds and general communication.
Breeding and Care of Young: The coyote=s breeding season begins in January and several
lone male coyotes gather around a female to court her, but she will form a relationship with only
one of them. The male and female may travel together before mating in late January or
February. The female bears one liter of 3 to 9 puppies a year, usually in April or May when food is
abundant. Gestation period is approximately 63 days or 9 weeks. Pups are born blind in their den
but the eyes open up in approximately 14 days, and they emerge from the den a few days later.
They continue to suckle for 5-7 weeks and start eating solid foods at approximately 3 weeks of
age. The male partner supports the family with regurgitated food but the mother does not ever
allow him to come into the den. The pups live and play in the den until they are approximately 610 weeks old and then the mother starts taking them out hunting. The family gradually disbands
and by fall the pups are usually hunting alone. Within a year they go their own way, staking out
their own territory and marking it with the scent of their urine.
Threats to Survival: The coyote has long been thought to be a threat to domestic livestock and
humans and at times there have been mass huntings to try to eliminate or reduce the number of
coyotes present. Some hunters believe that the coyote has caused a decline in hunting in game
species. Threat to survival is therefore human and loss of habitat.
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure