What is a Coyote?

A coyote is a four-legged placental mammal belonging in the dog family(canines). It is smaller than its relatives, the wolves. Very common in North America, and found in Mexico and Central America, the coyote has a population status of least concern; their numbers are also increasing. There are 19 subspecies of coyotes that we know of.

Appearance
Coyotes have light gray or red fur, with some black and white. Male coyotes weigh 18-44 lbs(8-20 kg), and females weigh 15-40 lbs(7-18 kg); however, the weight and size depends on the geographical location of the coyotes. Subspecies in the north tend to be larger and heavier than subspecies in Mexico and Central America. Full grown coyotes have a body length of 3½ feet to 4½  feet, females being shorter and smaller than males. The length of the tail is usually about 14 inches.

Predators and Diet

Wolves are the main predators of coyotes, though they also have to look out for cougars. The coyote is an omnivorous animal, and eats almost anything. They are known to hunt rabbits, birds, rodents, frogs, deer, etc. They also eat snakes, fruits, and insects, and are also known to eat fish.

Behavior

Coyotes get along well socially, and commonly live in family units or small packs with females that reproduce. They also temporarily join other coyotes in order to attack large prey. Once a male and female coyote mate, they settle down by marking new territory. They the build a den or live in old dens of badgers, marmots, or other ground animals.

Coyote territories can range from 0.6-64 km²(0.15-24 miles²). Coyotes mark territory depending on the amount of food available in the area, possible threats from wolves or predators, and areas fit to build dens. Although coyotes do not defend their territories as defensively as wolves, they sometimes fight with other coyotes in times of food shortage. Coyote dens can be build in places like canyons, banks, washouts, etc.; they have been found in hollow logs and thicket as well.

Communication

Coyotes are the most vocal of all North American mammals. They use their many types of vocalizations(11 distinct ones are known in adults) to communicate with each other, using barks, growls, yelps, howls, whines of high frequency, etc.

Coyotes also use body language to communicate with each other. When being aggressive, the coyote represents the fox more than the wolf; it lowers its head, arching its back and keeping its tail down. Playful coyotes perform spins and leaps rather than play-bows and play-leaps like dogs.

Pups

Female coyotes give birth to around 3-12 coyote pups. Coyote pups are born in dens made by the parents. Weighing 200-500 grams at birth, coyotes drink milk for the first 10 days of their life. 10 days is also roughly when their eyes open. After 20 days, coyotes begin walking. They start running after about six weeks. After about four to six weeks from when they are born, the pups are given small pieces of meat from carcasses, and are fed rabbits, or rodents like mice.

Hybridization

Coyotes sometimes mate with dogs or wolfs, the result being hybrid pups, having characteristics of both species. The hybrids are called coywolfs or coydogs.