Coyote      Canis latrans

To Native Americans, the coyote is know as the “trickster”, and through time, has escaped widespread loss in numbers because of its ability to adapt to new surroundings. Coyotes live in brushy country, along forest edges, open farmlands, suburban, and even urban areas. During most of the year, they have no home site and often sleep on the found in a concealed, protected spot. During breeding season, however, the female will provide one or more dens for her young. These dens may be remodeled fox, skunk, badger or woodchuck den, but may also be found in rock crevices, brush piles, hollow trees or abandoned buildings. 

Both coyote parents take the role as caregiver for the young pups. While the pups are very young, the male will hunt and scavenge to bring back food to feed the female. The pups learn to hunt when they are 8 to 12 weeks old, and then leave the den at about 5 months old to establish their own home range.

The home range of the coyote varies with the local population, and may be as small as 3 to 4 square miles, or as large as 25 to 30 square miles. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters, and may hunt alone, in pairs, or in groups. Most hunting is done at night, but it is not unusual to see a coyote during daylight hours. They can make a quick getaway if spotted, and can endure short sprints at up to 45 mph.

As mentioned, coyotes are opportunistic hunters, which gives them the reputation of being a “pest” animal. Coyotes are well known for their escapades through farmyards, capturing chickens and small hoofed livestock. Although the coyote is considered a menace, it is a necessary part of out natural world. Coyotes are the only large predators that remain in out area, as early settlers forced out other predators such as wolves and cougars. Coyotes help keep crop damaging rodent populations in check, and help keep our roads clean by scavenging animals that have been hit by cars. They also assist in preventing deer overpopulation in urban areas by taking small fawns as prey.