Mammal · GBIF taxon 5219153
Coyote
Canis latransAlso known as American Jackal, Prairie Wolf, Brush Wolf
Coyotes are highly adaptable wild canids famous for their chorus of nighttime howls, yips, and barks used to mark territory and locate pack members. They live in flexible social structures ranging from solitary hunters to tightly knit family packs led by a breeding pair. Occupying almost every ecosystem across North America, these resilient omnivores play a vital role in keeping rodent populations in check.
AdaptableNocturnalCanid
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mice and Voles
- Eastern Cottontail
- White-tailed Deer Fawn
Predators
- Gray Wolf
- Cougar
- Human
ThreatsVehicle collisions, retaliatory killing, habitat fragmentation
HabitatsDeserts, grasslands, forests, swamps, suburban neighborhoods, urban areas
Life span10–14 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyCanidae
- GenusCanis
- SpeciesCanis latrans
Native
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- May act defensively if habituated or near dens; keep pets leashed and maintain distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Can carry rabies and tapeworms, and habituated individuals may defensively bite humans or attack small domestic pets.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by bushy black-tipped tails carried low, pointed ears, narrow snouts, and grayish-brown coats.
- What to do
- Never approach or feed coyotes, keep distance, and haze curious individuals by making loud noises and standing tall.
Responsible observation
- Pet Safety: Keep small dogs on a short leash and keep cats indoors, especially between dusk and dawn.
- Hazing Techniques: Make noise, wave your arms, or blow a whistle if one approaches to maintain its wild fear of humans.
- Food Management: Secure trash cans and never leave pet food outdoors to prevent habituation.
Ecological Counterpart (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by
Close Relative User:Mas3cf / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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Urban Dwellers
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