Geographic Range
Coyotes are found from Central America through central Canada and into Alaska.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (native ).Habitat
Coyotes are very adaptable and utilize a wide range of habitats including forests, clearcuts, farms and woodlots. They prefer habitats which do not contain wolves. Coyotes, because of their tolerance for human activities, can occasionally be seen near farm buildings and at the edge of towns.
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest .Physical Description
Mass
11 to 21 kg
(24.2 to 46.2 lbs)
Coloration of the coyote varies from grayish brown to a yellowish gray on the upper parts. The throat and belly are whitish. The forelegs, sides of head, muzzle and feet are reddish brown. The back has fulvous colored underfur and long, black-tipped guard hairs that produce a black dorsal stripe and a dark cross on the shoulder area. The tail, which is half the body length, is bottle shaped with a black tip. There is also a scent gland located on the dorsal base of the tail. There is one moult per year, which starts in May with light loss of hair and ends in July after profuse shedding. The coyote is significantly smaller than the gray wolf and much larger than foxes. The coyote is differentiated from domesticated dogs by its pointed, erect ears and drooping tail, which it holds below its back when it is running. The eyes have a yellow iris and round pupil. The nose is black and usually less than one inch in diameter. The ears are large in relation to the head and the muzzle is long and slender. The feet are relatively small for the size of the body. The pes has four digits and the manus has five with a small first digit. Coyotes run on their toes (digitigrade). The dental formula is 3/3 1/1 4/4 2/3. The molars are structured for crushing and the canines are rather long and slender.
Some key physical features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .Reproduction
Courtship lasts for approximately 2 to 3 months. The female coyote is monoestrous and is in heat for 2 to 5 days between late January and late March. Mating occurs within these 3 months. Spermatogenesis in the males takes around 54 days and occurs between January and February depending on geographic location. Females may mate with more than one male. Once the female chooses a partner, the mates may remain paired for a number of years, but not necessarily for life. Gestation lasts from 60 to 63 days. Litter size ranges from 1 to 19 pups; the average is 6. The pups weigh approximately 250 grams. The young are born blind, limp-eared and pug-nosed. After 10 days the eyes open, the pups weigh 600 grams and their ears begin to erect in true coyote fashion. Twenty-one to 28 days after birth, the young begin to emerge from the den and by 35 days they are fully weaned. They are fed regurgitated food by both parents. The male pups disperse from the dens between months 6 and 9, while the females usually stay with the parents and form the basis of the pack. Adult size is reached between 9 and 12 months. Sexual maturity is reached by 12 months. The coyote hybridizes with the domestic dog and occasionally with the gray wolf.
Key reproductive features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
Coyotes are less likely to form packs than are wolves. Hunting, which takes place around the den, is done individually, in pairs, or in family units depending on prey availability. Coyote ranges, which are usually defended only during denning season, may be as much as 19 km in diameter around the den and travel occurs along fixed routes or trails. Coyotes are essentially nocturnal but can occasionally be seen during daylight hours. Although the coyote is capable of digging its own burrow, it will often enlarge the burrow of a woodchuck or badger and use this as its den. Dens are used year after year. There are several entrances to a single den. Coyotes leave their dens to defecate and urinate. Coyotes are capable of runnng at speeds up to 65 km/hr and they can jump distances of up to 4 m. Coyotes use auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile signals to communicate. They are the most vocal of all North American wild mammals, using 3 distinct calls (squeak, distress call and howl call) which consist of a quick series of yelps, followed by a falsetto howl. Their sight is less developed and is used primarily to note movement. They have acute hearing and sense of smell. They use stumps, posts, bushes or rocks as "scent posts" on which they urinate and defecate, possibly to mark territory. Coyotes are very good swimmers but poor climbers.
Key behaviors: motile .Food Habits
Coyotes are versatile in their eating habits and eat just about anything. They are essentially carnivorous; 90% of their diet is mammalian. They occasionally eat birds and snakes. They prefer fresh meat, but they consume large amounts of carrion. Plants eaten include leaves of balsam fir and white cedar, sasparilla, strawberry, and apple. Fruits and vegetables are a significant part of the coyote's diet in the fall and winter months. Coyotes hunt animals in interesting ways. When on a "mousing" expedition, they slowly stalk through the grass and sniff out the mouse. Suddenly, with all four legs held stiffly together, the coyotes stiffen and pounce on the prey. Hunting deer, on the other hand, calls for teamwork. Coyotes may take turns pursuing the deer until it tires, or they may drive it towards a hidden member of the pack. Coyotes sometimes form "hunting partnerships" with the badger (Taxidea). The two move together, the coyote using its keen sense of smell to locate burrowing rodents and the badger digging them up with its powerful claws. Both predators then share the proceeds. The average distance covered in a night's hunting is 4 km.Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Coyotes are a public health problem because they are reservoir hosts of rabies. They are considered a threat to poultry, livestock and crops. Coyotes also compete with hunters for deer, rabbits, and several other game species.Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Coyotes eat some agricultural pests and in some areas are protected for this reason. Coyote fur is used for coats and pelts can be sold for up to $17. Coyote pups often are kept as pets.