Coyote, In Winter
Coyote
Canis latrans
(Canidae)
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S5
Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
none
BLM:
none
General Description
Like a medium-sized dog in appearance. Nose more pointed and tail bushier than most dogs. Larger than the red fox and much smaller than a wolf. Tail held down between legs when running. Long, dense fur. Pelt gray or reddish-gray, with rusty legs, feet, and ears. Throat and belly whitish. Total length: 43 to 53 inches. Weight: 30 to 40 pounds.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Wolves - larger, hold tail high when running. red fox - smaller, hold tail out straight when running. dog, wolf/coyote, coyote/dog, and wolf/dog crosses are also possible.
Economic Value
Hunted for sport and for pelt (which in Oklahoma in early 1980s yielded about $20 per pelt) (Caire et al. 1989). Regarded as a pest at certain times in some areas due to occasional predation on deer, poultry, or livestock; occurs especially during denning season. Rarely has attacked humans in western North America (usually in situations where coyotes have become habituated to humans; Carbyn 1989).
Migration
Non-migratory.
Habitat
Utilizes almost any habitat, including urban areas, where prey is readily available. Prefers prairies, open woodlands, brushy or boulder-strewn areas. Coyote abundance is tied to food availability. Mainly nocturnal, true scavenger, territorial. Kills large animals by attacking the throat (FWP). Adaptable. Occupies diverse habitats.
Food Habits
Consumes a variety of foods and carrion. Will eat almost anything, plant or animal. Emphasizes small mammals, fawns, plants, birds, and invertebrates. During winter, often preys on deer. Commonly preys on domestic sheep (FWP). Rodents & rabbits imp. year round. Grasshoppers, crickets, fruits may be used in summer & fall. Food habits vary bet- ween seasons & areas. May take adult deer in winter. Young deer, elk, & pronghorn in spring.
Ecology
In absence of alternative prey, preys on adult deer in winter and fawns in summer. May be severe. Alt. prey pop. dynamics deserve consid. prior to coyote control. Coyotes do kill sheep.
Reproductive Characteristics
Mated pairs usually produce pups each year, and both adults assist in care of the young. Den used for rearing pups. Breeds from January to March; 60 to 63 days gestation; four to seven pups in a typical litter (FWP). 44% female yearlings produce young. 63% of all females produce young. Productivity related to nutrition. Average 4.6 young/litter. Probably breeds between Jan and Mar.
Citations & Sources
- Foresman, K.R. 2001. The wild mammals of Montana. Special Publication No. 12. American Society of Mammalogists
- Frisina, M and Alt, K. 1992. Identification of Montana's Furbearing Animals. Montana Outdoors. May/Jun 1992
- NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. 2002. Version 1.6 . Arlington, Virginia, USA: NatureServe. Available: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: March 20, 2003 ).
