The **Coyote** (*Canis latrans*) is a highly adaptable and widespread member of the dog family (Canidae), native to North America. Often called the “American Jackal,” its presence is common in both rural and urban environments, including suburbs and city parks. While ecologically beneficial as a natural predator, coyotes can pose problems for humans by preying on pets and livestock, and sometimes becoming habituated to human food sources, leading to conflicts.
Taxonomy and Classification
The Coyote belongs to the family Canidae (dogs, wolves, foxes) in the order Carnivora. It is classified in the genus *Canis*, closely related to the domestic dog and the wolf. Coyotes are placental mammals that generally form flexible family groups or pairs, though they are often seen as solitary hunters. They are characterized by their extreme adaptability, a key reason for their successful expansion across the continent.
Physical Description
Coyotes are medium-sized canids, generally smaller and more slender than wolves. They typically weigh between 20 and 50 pounds, with males usually being larger than females. Their coat is typically grayish-brown to yellowish-gray, often with black-tipped guard hairs on the back and a white or buff-colored belly and throat. They have large, pointed ears, a slender muzzle, and a distinctive bushy tail, which is usually carried low.
They are visually distinguishable from domestic dogs by their long, slender legs and the pointed shape of their nose and ears. Their tracks are generally more oval than a dog’s and they tend to walk with their hind foot stepping close to the print of their front foot.
Distribution and Habitat
The Coyote is one of the most widely distributed wild mammals in North America, found from Alaska and Canada down through Central America. They utilize virtually every habitat type, from deserts and grasslands to mountains and dense forests. Crucially, they have successfully colonized urban areas, using parks, greenbelts, golf courses, and drainage systems as travel corridors, and finding ample food in improperly secured garbage and unprotected pets.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Coyotes are primarily **nocturnal or crepuscular** (active at dawn and dusk), though urban populations may be more active during the day if they become habituated to human presence. They are highly intelligent and opportunistic, often hunting alone but sometimes cooperating in pairs or small family groups to bring down larger prey. They communicate through a complex vocal repertoire of howls, yips, and barks.
They breed in late winter, and females give birth to a litter of 4–7 pups in a den during the spring. The pups are raised by both parents and sometimes older siblings, and the family unit disperses in the late summer or fall.
Feeding and Conflict
Coyotes are **omnivores** and dietary generalists. Their natural diet consists of small rodents (mice, voles, rabbits), insects, birds, and fruits. In urban environments, their diet shifts significantly to include garbage, pet food left outdoors, and small domestic animals (cats and small dogs). Conflict arises when coyotes become accustomed to feeding near humans, losing their natural fear.
Predation on livestock (sheep, poultry) and pets is the primary concern for humans. Habituation to human presence makes management more difficult, as deterrents become less effective.
Management and Prevention
Effective management focuses on **deterrence and conflict reduction** through modification of human behavior, often referred to as **hazing**. Never feed coyotes, either intentionally or accidentally.
- Secure Food Sources: Store garbage in secure, heavy-duty containers and only put them out on collection day. Never leave pet food outside.
- Protect Pets: Keep cats indoors. Walk dogs on leashes, especially at dawn and dusk. Small pets should never be left unsupervised in yards.
- Hazing: If a coyote approaches, do not run. Yell, throw small objects near (not at) it, spray it with a hose, or use noisemakers to reinforce its natural fear of humans.
- Fencing: Use tall fences (over 6 feet) that include a wire apron buried or secured at the base to prevent digging underneath.
Conservation and Research
Coyotes are not federally protected and are often classified as nuisance animals or game animals. Research focuses on understanding their urban ecology, movement patterns, and genetic adaptability. Studies aim to find non-lethal and sustainable ways to manage human-coyote conflict, recognizing their ecological role in controlling rodent populations.