Getting to know "God's Dog"

The word coyote comes from an ancient Indian language and means "barking dog." That one phrase leads you to believe that they are not much different from domestic dogs. In some ways this is true, and in others these creatures are truly wild.

Coyotes roam grasslands, deserts, mountains and even urban environments from Alaska to Costa Rica. The entire continental United States and a large portion of Canada is home territory for what some call "God's dog."

They usually breed from January through March. As with most animals, the farther north the later the breeding season and vice versa. Some scientists believe the same male and female breed year-to-year.

Female coyotes breed according to local geographical conditions, and food availability. If food is not plentiful, a lower percentage of females breed. If there is a bumper crop of native foods, a large percentage of females reproduce.

Both one year old males and females are capable of reproducing. Gestation lasts about 63 days producing an average litter of six pups.

Litter size is also affected by population density in an area and food availability.

Coyotes select a variety of dens. Thick underbrush banks, thickets, hollow logs, and beneath rock shelves are favorite sites to dig in and raise a family.

Most coyotes are active during the day with peak feeding times being early morning and about dusk. The more urban the home range, the more likely coyotes are to be more active at night. This is a safety precaution no doubt.

First year coyotes leave the family unit in the fall and early winter of their first year to establish territories of their own. Some first year females remain with their mother during a full season and help raise mothers' pups the following spring.

Coyotes and wolves do not share the same territories with reports of wolves killing coyotes. In turn, the coyote competes with the fox in the same territories for similar foods. Bobcats are reported to not tolerate coyotes in their territories.

Researchers have learned that coyotes and badgers share hunting territories well. The badger digs out the rodents that coyotes enjoy, and the coyotes catch them.

Coyotes and foxes eat very similar items. These include rodents, apples, rabbits, berries, plant foods, insects, songbirds, livestock, deer, and an occasional house cat or small dog when they are available.

Livestock taken by coyotes is usually in the form of carrion. However, newborn pigs seem to be on the menu when they can be found.

Food habits and geographical location determine food choices.

Coyotes live solitary lives and in packs depending on food types available. If an area is rich in rodents, coyotes prefer to live and hunt in pairs. If bigger game such as deer and moose are plentiful, then they willingly join in a pack endeavor to bring down dinner.

© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education