Details
Canis latrans
The coyote is a highly adaptable canid centered in North America. It uses grasslands, deserts, forests, and cities, feeding alone or in small loose groups.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It ranges from the Nearctic into the northern Neotropics, occupying grassland, desert, forest, farmland, suburbs, and urban areas. It balances open ground with cover.
Length 75-100 cm; weight 7-21 kg. Grey-brown fur, a narrow muzzle, large ears, and a bushy tail give it a lean look. It is smaller and leggier than a wolf.
Crepuscular and loosely social, it may travel alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Howls, yips, and barks keep contact across territories.
An omnivore, it eats rodents, rabbits, fruit, insects, carrion, and food from human landscapes. Diet changes readily with season and place.
Pairs breed and raise pups in dens. Parents and sometimes older young help feed and guard the litter.
It is listed as Least Concern. Its spread has been helped in some areas by human alteration of predator communities, while urban conflict depends heavily on waste and pet management.
