Post by Eriik on Aug 8, 2016 3:02:03 GMT
The coyote appears often in the tales and traditions of Native Americans—usually as a very savvy and clever beast. Modern coyotes have displayed their cleverness by adapting to the changing American landscape. These members of the dog family once lived primarily in open prairies and deserts, but now roam the continent's forests and mountains. They have even colonized cities like Los Angeles, and are now found over most of North America. Coyote populations are likely at an all-time high.
Diet
These adaptable animals will eat almost anything. They hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer. They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and carrion. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets, many ranchers and farmers regard them as destructive pests.
There is some evidence of coyotes hunting adult deer in areas without snow, but this is not well documented. Studies from northern areas show during mild winters coyotes kill less deer and switch to other prey like snowshoe hare, and it is hard for coyotes to kill adult deer without snow to slow and exhaust deer.
Behavior
Coyotes are formidable in the field where they enjoy keen vision and a strong sense of smell. They can run up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour. In the fall and winter, they form packs for more effective hunting.
Coyotes form strong family groups. In spring, females den and give birth to litters of three to twelve pups. Both parents feed and protect their young and their territory. The pups are able to hunt on their own by the following fall.
Coyotes are smaller than wolves and are sometimes called prairie wolves or brush wolves. They communicate with a distinctive call, which at night often develops into a raucous canine chorus.
Coyotes have a wide range of vocalizations including barks, yips, yelps and growls, but they are most known for their howls. Although they may howl during the day, coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk, and most howling is heard at night. A small pack of barking, yipping coyotes sounds similar to a group of excited dogs barking in a kennel, and a mournful, howling coyote sounds like a lone wolf. The various sounds are used to communicate within the pack and outside the pack with other animals. Howls are used to round up members of the pack and to warn off other packs.
Status:
Least concern
Type:
Mammal
Diet:
Omnivore
Average life span in the wild:
Up to 14 years
Size:
Head and body, 32 to 37 in (81 to 94 cm); Tail, 16 in (41 cm)
Weight:
20 to 50 lbs (9 to 23 kg)
Group name:
Pack/Band
Did you know?
Coyotes are very good swimmers. In areas of the northeast United States, where coyotes have migrated since the 20th century, the animals have colonized the Elizabeth Islands of Massachusetts.
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
Diet
These adaptable animals will eat almost anything. They hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer. They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and carrion. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets, many ranchers and farmers regard them as destructive pests.
There is some evidence of coyotes hunting adult deer in areas without snow, but this is not well documented. Studies from northern areas show during mild winters coyotes kill less deer and switch to other prey like snowshoe hare, and it is hard for coyotes to kill adult deer without snow to slow and exhaust deer.
Behavior
Coyotes are formidable in the field where they enjoy keen vision and a strong sense of smell. They can run up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour. In the fall and winter, they form packs for more effective hunting.
Coyotes form strong family groups. In spring, females den and give birth to litters of three to twelve pups. Both parents feed and protect their young and their territory. The pups are able to hunt on their own by the following fall.
Coyotes are smaller than wolves and are sometimes called prairie wolves or brush wolves. They communicate with a distinctive call, which at night often develops into a raucous canine chorus.
Coyotes have a wide range of vocalizations including barks, yips, yelps and growls, but they are most known for their howls. Although they may howl during the day, coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk, and most howling is heard at night. A small pack of barking, yipping coyotes sounds similar to a group of excited dogs barking in a kennel, and a mournful, howling coyote sounds like a lone wolf. The various sounds are used to communicate within the pack and outside the pack with other animals. Howls are used to round up members of the pack and to warn off other packs.
Status:
Least concern
Type:
Mammal
Diet:
Omnivore
Average life span in the wild:
Up to 14 years
Size:
Head and body, 32 to 37 in (81 to 94 cm); Tail, 16 in (41 cm)
Weight:
20 to 50 lbs (9 to 23 kg)
Group name:
Pack/Band
Did you know?
Coyotes are very good swimmers. In areas of the northeast United States, where coyotes have migrated since the 20th century, the animals have colonized the Elizabeth Islands of Massachusetts.
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man: