Coyote puppies photographed at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab in Louisville
Coyote puppies photographed at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab in Louisville
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark

Coyote

Common Name:
Coyote
Scientific Name:
Canis latrans
Type:
Mammals
Diet:
Omnivore
Group Name:
Pack
Average Life Span In The Wild:
Up to 14 years
Size:
Head and body: 32 to 37 inches; tail: 16 inches
Weight:
20 to 50 pounds
IUCN Red List Status:
Least concern
Current Population Trend:
Increasing

The coyote appears often in the tales and traditions of Native Americans—usually as a very savvy and clever beast. Modern coyotes have displayed their cleverness by adapting to the changing American landscape. These members of the dog family once lived primarily in open prairies and deserts, but now roam the continent's forests and mountains. They have even colonized cities like Los Angeles, and are now found over most of North America. Coyote populations are likely at an all-time high.

Opportunistic Diet

These adaptable animals will eat almost anything. 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.

Behavior

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.

This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
Photograph by Christopher Martin, National Geographic Your Shot

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