Coyotes often appear in the tales of Native Americans as very clever and resourceful animals. Modern coyotes continue to display this cleverness by rapidly adapting to the shifting American landscape, thriving not only in rural areas but increasingly in suburban and even urban environments.
Highly adaptable, coyotes have a varied diet that includes hunting rabbits, rodents, and fish, and they readily consume snakes, frogs, insects, fruit, grass, and carrion. Their opportunistic nature enables them to thrive in diverse ecosystems.
However, coyotes occasionally prey upon pets, calves, lambs, poultry, and other livestock, leading many farmers and ranchers to view them as pests. Due to their exceptional adaptability and resilience, coyotes have become very common across North America, expanding their range even into densely populated cities.
They can reproduce rapidly, with females capable of having large litters—sometimes as many as twelve pups—particularly when resources are abundant. This prolific reproduction can lead to population surges that require careful management, as unchecked populations can pose risks to wildlife, domestic animals, and human health.
Coyotes also carry diseases, such as rabies, distemper, and mange, which can be transmitted to domestic pets and potentially humans. Their widespread presence and proximity to urban environments underscore the importance of managing interactions between coyotes and human populations responsibly and effectively.
Distribution
Belize
Canada
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
United StatesAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
