Coyotes are members of the Canidae family, which includes dogs, wolves, jackals, foxes, and domestic dogs. They are omnivorous animals that eat meat, insects, fruits, vegetables, fish, rodents, eggs, and carrion. Coyote puppies begin to weigh more than 1/4 pounds at birth and can weigh up to 20 pounds [10 kg] after their first year. The life of a coyote is between 8-12 years, but it has been known to live 18 years. Coyotes are solitary animals, except during mating season. Coyotes are active day and night, although they tend to become less active around dusk and dawn.
Coyotes are usually nocturnal hunters, though they may hunt during the day if the prey is scarce. Coyotes are members of the Canidae family and are native to North America. They have been known to prey on livestock, pets, and even humans. Coyotes can weigh between 20-45 lbs (9-to 20 kg) and stand at 2-4 ft tall (61-122 cm). They have short legs that allow them to run fast with their long bodies. Their tail helps balance their body while they run on all fours. Coyotes have large ears that help them hear approaching predators. Their eyesight is not as good as other dogs but they have excellent hearing.
Coyotes use their sense of smell to find food, track prey, and find mates. Coyotes are social animals and live in packs of 6-8 individuals. Packs usually consist of a dominant male, several females, and young pups. Coyotes are generally solitary hunters; however, they will hunt together if necessary. Foxes are insect predators and small mammals. Their diet consists mainly of mice, rabbits, birds, snakes, frogs, and other rodents, but they also eat eggs and carrion. Coyotes tend to prefer smaller prey to larger animals. They are active at dusk and dawn and spend their nights sleeping in dens or undercover. Coyotes are social animals that form packs called clans. Packs may consist of 1-6 individuals, and each pack has its own territory.
Coyotes are territorial animals that mark their territories with urine and feces. Territories vary from about 2.5 acres (1 hectare) to over 200 acres (80 hectares). Coyotes breed year-round, but they have two peaks of the breeding season. One peak occurs in late spring and early summer, while the second peak occurs in fall and winter. Coyotes are known to eat rabbits, deer, fish, birds, squirrels, lizards, snakes, mice, turtles, frogs, insects, carrion, and garbage. They have been observed eating meat from larger animals such as coyote-sized bison found in Yellowstone National Park.
