As wolf populations went down throughout the continent, coyotes stepped in to fill the niche, expanding from their original homes on the prairie to virtually every habitat. They now live throughout North America, in deserts, forests, plains, mountains, and so on.
They even live in urban areas and have swum out to colonize islands off the coast of Massachusetts. Coyotes appear to be thriving, thanks to their ability to adapt. This adaptability carries over into cultural representations of the coyote.
Coyotes feature in a number of Native American legends and folklore, where they are often known for being cunning, tricky, and intelligent. You can see these same traits in pop culture — just think of Wile E. Coyote from the Loony Tunes cartoons. Was he not a clever character, always coming up with crafty, albeit unsuccessful, schemes to catch the roadrunner? Coyotes eat pretty much anything. This diverse diet is part of what allows coyotes to thrive in so many places.
These omnivores can find food almost anywhere, whether by hunting or scavenging. This highly adaptable opportunistic omnivore seems to prefer rodents and jackrabbits, but will eat reptiles, birds, arthropods scorpions, crickets and plant material such as juniper seeds, screw beans, fan palm fruit and dates.
A crepuscular and nocturnal hunter, they are valuable as rodent control. Their only predator is Man. Coyotes are dog-like, sandy-colored, with erect ears. They roam extensively throughout their territory, hunting, resting and sleeping wherever they are comfortable, living in a den only when raising pups. Coyotes usually mate for life and breeding takes place between January and March. They hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer.
They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and carrion. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets, many ranchers and farmers regard them as destructive pests. Coyotes are formidable in the field where they enjoy keen vision and a strong sense of smell. They can run up to 40 miles an hour.
In the fall and winter, they form packs for more effective hunting. Coyotes form strong family groups. In spring, females den and give birth to litters of three to twelve pups. Both parents feed and protect their young and their territory.
The pups are able to hunt on their own by the following fall. Coyotes are smaller than wolves and are sometimes called prairie wolves or brush wolves.
They communicate with a distinctive call, which at night often develops into a raucous canine chorus. All rights reserved.
Coyote puppies photographed at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab in Louisville. Common Name: Coyote. Scientific Name: Canis latrans. Type: Mammals. Diet: Omnivore. Group Name: Pack. Size: Head and body: 32 to 37 inches; tail: 16 inches.
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