Coyote

 

What is a coyote?

The coyote (Canis latrans) is a wild canine in the family Canidae, which also includes wolves, foxes, and domestic dogs. Native to North America, it lives across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Its narrow muzzle, upright pointed ears, yellowish eyes, long legs, and bushy tail distinguish it from many domestic dogs. The coat ranges from gray and brown to reddish or yellowish shades, with pale fur on the throat and belly. Black-tipped guard hairs create darker markings along the back, and the tail usually has a black tip. Coyotes occupy deserts, grasslands, forests, mountains, farmland, and urban neighborhoods, making them one of the continent’s most adaptable wild mammals.

How big is a coyote?

An adult coyote measures about 75–100 cm (30–39 inches) from head to the base of the tail, with the tail adding roughly 30–40 cm (12–16 inches). Adults commonly weigh around 9–16 kg (20–35 lb), although size varies by region and individual. Males are usually heavier than females. Coyotes have a slimmer build than gray wolves, with narrower feet and a more pointed muzzle. Their long legs help them cover open ground efficiently, while their thick fur provides insulation during cold weather.

Where do coyotes live?

Coyotes are native to North America and occupy a broad range extending from Alaska and much of Canada through the United States and Mexico into Central America. They inhabit open plains, deserts, scrubland, forests, wetlands, mountain slopes, and agricultural landscapes. Coyotes also live in cities and suburbs, where parks, greenbelts, vacant lots, and drainage corridors provide shelter and routes for movement. Their success in human-modified landscapes comes partly from a flexible diet and an ability to use different den sites and resting areas.

What do coyotes eat?

Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, with small mammals forming a major part of their diet. They hunt rabbits, hares, mice, voles, ground squirrels, and other rodents. Their food also includes birds, eggs, reptiles, amphibians, insects, carrion, and young deer or other ungulates when circumstances allow. Fruits, berries, seeds, and grass provide plant food, especially when seasonal crops ripen. In developed areas, coyotes also consume discarded food and unsecured pet food. Their diet shifts with local prey populations and the time of year.

How do coyotes hunt?

Coyotes locate prey through keen hearing, sight, and smell. They stalk small animals through vegetation, chase fleeing prey, or pounce on rodents hidden beneath grass or snow. A coyote hunting a rabbit can rely on speed and quick changes of direction, while a rodent hunt often involves listening for movement before leaping. Most small prey is caught by an individual hunter. Pairs or family groups can work together when pursuing larger animals, and coyotes also feed on carcasses rather than spending energy on every meal.

How fast can a coyote run?

A coyote can reach speeds of about 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h) in a short burst. Its lean body, long limbs, and flexible stride help it accelerate when chasing prey or escaping danger. Coyotes also travel long distances while searching for food or moving through their home ranges. Their endurance and ability to change direction quickly are useful in open grassland and broken terrain.

Do coyotes live in packs?

Coyotes do not form large, stable hunting packs in the same way as some gray wolf populations. Their social structure commonly centers on a breeding pair and their young. Adults often forage alone or in pairs, while family members can gather around a den or defend a territory together. In areas with abundant food and suitable habitat, a family group can include offspring from an earlier litter. The size and structure of these groups depend on local conditions and the availability of resources.

Why do coyotes howl and yip?

Coyotes communicate through howls, yips, barks, whines, and growls. A long howl can announce an animal’s location or help family members stay in contact. Short, sharp barks can signal alarm, while rapid yipping and overlapping calls occur during social interactions. A few coyotes calling together can sound like a much larger group because their voices overlap and change pitch. Vocal activity is particularly noticeable around dusk, at night, and near dawn.

When do coyotes mate?

Coyote breeding takes place mainly from January through March, with timing varying by latitude and local conditions. After mating, pregnancy lasts about 60–63 days. Females give birth in a sheltered den in spring, when food is becoming more available. Coyotes often form long-lasting pair bonds, and a male can help provide food and protect the young while the female remains close to the den.

How many pups does a coyote have?

A female coyote gives birth to a litter that commonly contains around five or six pups, although litter size varies. Newborn pups are blind, have closed ears, and depend on their mother for warmth and milk. Their eyes open at about 10 days old. At roughly three to four weeks, they begin emerging from the den, and weaning takes place over the following weeks. Both parents bring food to the young, including regurgitated meals. As the pups grow, they practice chasing, pouncing, and play fighting, behaviors that help develop their coordination and hunting skills.

How long do coyotes live?

Wild coyotes commonly live around six to eight years, although some survive longer. Captive individuals can reach their teens or beyond with reliable food and veterinary care. Wild survival depends on food supply, disease, injuries, road traffic, hunting, and conflicts with larger predators. Young coyotes face particular risks as they leave their family’s territory and search for places to settle.

What animals prey on coyotes?

Gray wolves are important natural enemies of coyotes in areas where their ranges overlap. Cougars can kill coyotes, and large birds of prey pose a threat to young pups. Adult coyotes also face danger from people, vehicles, traps, and firearms. A coyote’s main defenses include alert senses, speed, careful movement, and the protection of a den or family group. Competition with wolves can affect where coyotes travel, what they eat, and how they use the landscape.

Are coyotes dangerous to humans?

Coyotes are wild animals and should be observed from a distance. They normally, avoid direct contact with people, but an animal that becomes accustomed to being fed can lose its natural caution. Keep pets supervised, secure rubbish and food waste, and never feed a coyote. If one approaches, stand tall, make yourself appear larger, make noise, and back away without running. Small pets are at risk because coyotes can treat them as prey or as competitors.

How do coyotes survive in cities?

Urban coyotes use parks, railway corridors, golf courses, riverbanks, and other green spaces to travel between feeding and resting areas. They can eat rodents, rabbits, fruit, insects, and food scraps, which gives them access to resources in developed landscapes. Many are most active during quieter hours, although sightings also occur in daylight. Leaving food outdoors, feeding wildlife, and allowing pets to roam unsupervised can increase conflicts between coyotes and people.

What role do coyotes play in the ecosystem?

Coyotes affect ecosystems by hunting rodents, rabbits, and other small animals, and by consuming carrion. Predation can influence prey numbers and behavior, while scavenging helps remove animal remains. Their flexible diet also links them to plant communities when they eat fruits and disperse seeds in their droppings. The effects of coyotes differ between habitats because prey, competing predators, and human activity vary from place to place.

Are coyotes endangered?

The coyote is classified as Least Concern globally. It has maintained a broad distribution despite decades of persecution and habitat change. Its ability to use different habitats and food sources has supported its persistence across much of North America. Local populations still face threats from vehicle collisions, deliberate killing, trapping, disease, and conflicts with livestock owners. In urban areas, reducing access to human food and protecting pets helps prevent conflict without encouraging coyotes to approach people.

How can you tell a coyote from a wolf or a dog?

A coyote is smaller and more lightly built than a gray wolf, with a narrow muzzle, relatively large ears, and a long bushy tail. Its coat is often a mixture of gray, tan, brown, and reddish tones. When running, coyotes commonly carry the tail low, whereas domestic dogs frequently hold theirs higher. No single feature confirms an identification in every case, since dog breeds and coat colors vary. Body proportions, movement, tracks, and the setting provide more reliable clues when considered together.

Sources

• Animal Diversity Web — Coyote biology, reproduction, and behavior
• National Park Service — Coyote ecology and habitat
• Big Bend National Park — Coyote diet, denning, and communication
• National Park Service — Coyote identification and speed
• Death Valley National Park — Coyote adaptations and conservation status

Photo source: Photograph by Christina Butler, taken in Georgia, United States, on 12 August 2023. View the image on Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.