COYOTE NATURAL HISTORY

Coyote

Scientific Name: Canis latrans

Common Problems: Coyote attacks on humans are rare though it’s a good practice to keep small children under supervision while outdoors. Most wild coyotes fear humans but those that associate humans with food may become habituated. Do not leave pet food outdoors. 
 
Seal garbage cans, clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes find cover and critters to feed on and clean up decaying fruit from underneath fruit trees. Clean up spilled birdseed on the ground as it can attract rodents that then can attract coyotes.
 
Coyotes are territorial, with males marking boundaries with urine. Domestic dogs can be seen as territorial threats. Further, cats and small dogs make easy meals. Fence your backyards or, better yet, keep pets indoors.

Description: A typical coyote resembles a small lanky German Shepard, but several characteristics distinguish it from a dog. Coyotes tend to be more slender, have wide pointed ears, a long tapered muzzle, yellow eyes, slender legs, small feet, and an uncurled bushy tail which is carried low to the ground. The fur is usually a grizzled-gray color with a cream-colored or white underside, but coloration is variable with individuals having blonde, reddish, and charcoal coat colors. Coat colors do not vary between sexes. Most coyotes have dark hairs over the back and a black- tipped tail that has a black spot near its base covering a distinctive scent gland. However, not all coyotes have the black markings.

Breeding: Coyotes do not mate for life, although some pairs may stay together for several years. Pups are born April- May and litters range from 1 to as many as 12 pups, the average is 7. Both adults raise the pups and will move them if disturbed.

Habits & Haunts: Nicknamed brush wolf, prairie wolf, or coy dog, they frequent most habitat types: brushy fields, farmland, and wetlands fringes are particularly valuable. They are found in both rural and suburban areas. Coyotes can dig their own dens but usually enlarge an abandoned woodchuck or fox burrow. The female prepares and maintains the dens.

The coyotes social unit consists of an adult pair and their young. They can be encountered singly, in pairs, or in groups of three or more. Coyotes do not form packs with members other then the adult pair and the young.

Coyotes can run as fast as 25 to 30 miles an hour but can run 35 to 40 miles an hour when pursued. They are also strong swimmers.

Food: Opportunistic feeders; they eat primarily mice, white tailed deer, woodchucks, and rabbits. They will also feed on birds, insects, fruits and berries. Coyotes rarely threaten human safety but will go after cats and small dogs when unattended.

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