Coyote
Canis latrans
Order Carnovora; Family: Canidae
Coyotes are medium to large canines normally mottled with grey, but sometimes they are brown, reddish, or black. Average weights in the west are 25 to 30 pounds but larger in the eastern U.S. with some individuals reaching as much as 60 pounds. Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable, living in a wide variety of habitats including urban and suburban areas. Coyotes are abundant and they have become less wary of humans in recent years. Attacks on people and pets have been documented.
Coyotes are widely distributed through the U.S. except for Hawaii. Males have a home range of 30 to 40 square miles, females considerably less. Opportunistic feeders, coyotes eat mice, rabbits, insects, reptiles, fawns, carrion, fruits, and seeds. Adult coyotes have few predators, but juveniles are eaten by dogs, mountain lions, and eagles. Breeding occurs in February in the south, and March in the north. Coyotes have one litter a year averaging 3 to 6 pups.
Coyote tracks
Coyote prints
Order Carnovora; Family: Canidae
Coyotes are medium to large canines normally mottled with grey, but sometimes they are brown, reddish, or black. Average weights in the west are 25 to 30 pounds but larger in the eastern U.S. with some individuals reaching as much as 60 pounds. Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable, living in a wide variety of habitats including urban and suburban areas. Coyotes are abundant and they have become less wary of humans in recent years. Attacks on people and pets have been documented.
Coyotes are widely distributed through the U.S. except for Hawaii. Males have a home range of 30 to 40 square miles, females considerably less. Opportunistic feeders, coyotes eat mice, rabbits, insects, reptiles, fawns, carrion, fruits, and seeds. Adult coyotes have few predators, but juveniles are eaten by dogs, mountain lions, and eagles. Breeding occurs in February in the south, and March in the north. Coyotes have one litter a year averaging 3 to 6 pups.
Coyote tracks
Coyote prints