All About Coyotes

A coyote is an animal closely related to the wolf. It's Latin name is, "Canis la trans." These wild dogs are also known as the prairie dog or prairie wolf. Coyotes are native to the western and central parts of the United States. However, the coyote is found from Alaska to Costa Rica. They live on desert regions, prairie plains, and are rarely found in the deep forest. The coyote has been released in the Adirondack Mountains which are located in northern New York. There they have crossed with domestic dogs. The results have produced a hybrid called coy dogs. The coy dog has piercing eyes and they are not playful. These dogs are by no means domesticated. The coy dog is not a good choice for a pet and still have a very wild side as the coyote does.

The coyote looks like a timber wolf. Although the size of the coyote, is much smaller. An adult coyote weighs 20 to 30 pounds. Their coat is a grayish, yellowish, colored coat of thick fur. The call of the coyote echoes throughout the land. It calls with loud barks and howls. The call of the coyote is most commonly heard at night which is known as their "evening song." This is how they communicate with each other. One starts howling and the others join in. They soon become quiet and start their hunting. They are very social animals when among themselves.

They eat a variety of foods. They eat any animal they can catch. Animals like rabbit, rats, and squirrels are some of the smaller animals. They can hunt deer, cattle, sheep, and eat poultry, like chickens. When hunting deer the pack will harass the animal until it is exhausted and can no longer run.

Some ranchers have had serious problems with the coyotes hunting their cattle and other farm animals. The coyote can eat large amounts of game or livestock which concerns farmers. This can lead some to believe that there is a need to control the population of the coyote. Some hunters think they are saving farm ranchers from losing their sheep or cattle. This can be helpful when the coyote population gets out of hand. However, coyotes are necessary to preserve the balance of nature as well. Most of the time the species is not harmful. A lot of their diet is made up from rodents and other small animals. The attempt to manipulate the coyote population has proven unsuccessful. The coyotes adaptation to its environment is phenomenal.

Mating season is usually around the beginning of February. The male and female are known to mate for life. Both parents take part in raising the pups. They have been known to keep a family den under old tree roots or even among rocks. The average number of pups in a liter is six. They have been known to have up to nineteen pups. The female stays with the nursery while the male hunts for food. Rodents are the preferred meal choice for the pups. When running the coyote can maintain a speed of forty three miles per hour.

Coyotes rarely attack people, but if they do they will most likely attack a small child. It is in their nature to hunt for small and weak looking prey. Most attacks on humans occur when their pups need to be fed. This occurs in the spring or summer. To prevent attacks from the coyotes make sure and keep your yard clean of trash or animal food. When the coyote is about to attack it will show teeth and point the ears down and back. If you are attacked by a coyote you should scream loud and fight back. Coyotes can live in the wild for up to 15 years.

Resources:

http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/biology/faculty/webpages/best/PDFs/1981aBestEtAl.pdf

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/mammals/habitat/tempgrassland/coyote.html

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/coydog.htm