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. All rights reserved. Coyote puppies photographed at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab in Louisville. Common Name: Coyote. Scientific Name: Canis latrans.
Type: Mammals. Diet: Omnivore. Group Name: Pack. Size: Head and body: 32 to 37 inches; tail: 16 inches. Weight: 20 to 50 pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man:. Least concern. Least Concern Extinct.
Current Population Trend: Increasing. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Our coyotes are descendants of Great Plains coyotes that expanded their range to the north and east as forests were cut and wolves were extirpated. Eastern coyote DNA reveals that, as coyotes spread through southern Canada, they occasionally interbred with the wolves they encountered.
As a result, our eastern coyotes are larger than their western counterparts. With a typical weight of pounds and a length of inches nose to tail , they can sometimes reach twice the size of their more diminutive relatives. These genes give them the tendency and the ability to hunt deer.
This trait is very beneficial—for coyotes and people—in regions overpopulated by deer. Because many canids species in the dog family readily hybridize, our coyotes have some dog genes incorporated in their DNA as well. As coyotes expanded their range, they also expanded their menu. Once omnivores limited by the grassland fauna of rabbits, mice and insects, they now opportunistically consume everything from small mammals and birds to livestock and pets, fruits and vegetables, carrion and garbage.
Their habitat has also expanded to include a variety of natural and human-altered environments, including forests and fields, scrublands and wetlands, parks and golf courses, suburban backyards and urban developments. Coyotes are generally monogamous and maintain pair bonds that can last for several years. The breeding season runs from late December through March, and pups are born in the early spring. Litter size depends on a variety of factors but typically ranges from four to seven.
Both parents care for their young, frequently with the help of older offspring. Coyotes make their dens in rocky crevices, dense thickets and sometimes the dens of other animals. In order to avoid detection by predators, coyotes sometimes walk on their toes to make as little noise as possible. While coyotes have adapted well to living near people, they are generally shy animals, and would prefer to avoid confrontations with people.
Secure poultry and livestock If you keep livestock or small animals, confine them in secure pens, especially from dusk to dawn when coyotes are most active. During the birthing season, keep young and vulnerable animals safely confined at all times.
Discontinue use of remote pastures or holding areas. Guard dogs, especially those bred to defend livestock, can help protect against coyotes. Use fencing Solid wood fences must be six feet high to keep coyotes out. If coyotes seek cover on unfenced land, remove brush piles, low-growing vegetation, and other possible shelter sites.
When used correctly, electric fences can also deter predation. Consult your local zoning office and review your neighborhood covenants to determine if electric fences are permitted in your area, and, if so, what kinds.
Clean up your trash Coyotes are attracted to food scraps in garbage. Dispose of trash in a metal can, making sure the lid fits tightly. Secure it further with a bungee cord or chain.
Secure pets and feed them indoors Coyotes infrequently prey on domestic animals such as cats and small dogs. However, they may be attracted to areas where there are free-roaming pets. To prevent potential conflicts, keep companion animals indoors, especially from dusk to dawn. It is also best not to feed cats and dogs outdoors, but if you have no choice, pick up food and water bowls, as well as leftovers and spilled food as soon as your pets have finished eating.
Do not leave bowls or food scraps outside at night. Burke Museum. November 12, Mammals of Washington: Coyote. Feldhamer G.
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