Coyote

The coyote is a species of canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf. It fills much of the same ecological niche as the golden jackal does in Eurasia. Coyotes are curious animals, they are very active and can travel long distances in search of food and territory. In urban areas natural habitat fragments surrounded by development are often too small to satisfy a coyotes home range needs for food, territory and reproduction. Life Span. In the wild, coyotes live between 10-14 years. In captivity they are known to live much longer, as many as 20 years. Coyotes are about as big as medium-size dogs. They are 32 to 37 inches (81 to 94 centimeters) long from head to rump, plus another 16 inches (41 cm) for their tails, according to National Geographic (opens in new tab). Coyotes typically weigh 20 to 50 lbs. (9 to 23 kilograms). Coyotes are one of the most adaptable canines on the planet. They can be found in a wide variety of habitat types, which includes: sagebrush-steppe, woodlands, prairies, deserts, oak savannahs, subalpine forests, alpine meadows, open ponderosa pine forests, and temperate rainforests.

Eats: Birds, Squirrels, Insects, Frogs, Watermelon, Lizards, Cantaloupe, Wheat, Prickly pear, Marmot, Blackberry

Height: 1.9 – 2.2 ft. (Adult, At Shoulder)

Mass: 15 – 46 lbs (Adult)

Speed: 35 – 43 mph (Adult, In Pursuit)

Gestation period: 60 – 63 days

Higher classification: Canis

Scientific name: Canis latrans