Main Characteristics

Coyotes have a body length between 70 and 97 cms (28 - 38 inches), a tail length between 30 and 38 cms (12 - 15 inches) and they weigh between 9 and 16 kgs (20 - 35 lbs). They have a slender build and they are grey/buff in colour.

Coyotes are capable of reaching speeds of 69 km/h (43 mph) and they are among the top ten fastest land animals in the world.

Habitat

Coyotes are found in the open woodlands and prairies of North America. They hunt alone, in pairs or small family groups.

Diet

Coyotes mainly feed on small mammals, frogs, snakes, insects, fish, fruit and carrion.

Breeding

Coyotes breed between January and March and after a gestation period of 60 - 65 days, a litter of 6 - 18 (average 6) pups are born in a den. They are weaned between 1 and 2 months old and they reach sexual maturity at 9 - 10 months old.

Predators

Predators of Coyotes include grey wolves, mountain lions and humans.

Subspecies

There are 19 subspecies of Coyote:

Mexican Coyote
(Canis latrans cagottis)

San Pedro Martir Coyote
(Canis latrans clepticus)

Salvador Coyote
(Canis latrans dickeyi)

South-eastern Coyote
(Canis latrans frustor)

Belize Coyote
(Canis latrans goldmani)

Honduras Coyote,
(Canis latrans hondurensis)

Durango Coyote
(Canis latrans impavidus)

Northern Coyote
(Canis latrans incolatus)

Tiburon Island Coyote
(Canis latrans jamesi)

Plains Coyote
(Canis latrans latrans)

Mountain Coyote
(Canis latrans lestes)

Mearns Coyote
(Canis latrans mearnsi)

Lower Rio Grande Coyote
(Canis latrans microdon)

California Valley Coyote
(Canis latrans ochropus)

Peninsula Coyote
(Canis latrans peninsulae)

Texas Plains Coyote
(Canis latrans texensis)

North-eastern Coyote
(Canis latrans thamnos)

Northwest Coast Coyote
(Canis latrans umpquensis)

Colima Coyote
(Canis latrans vigilis)

Interesting Facts

Coyotes are also known as:
Prairie Wolf
Brush Wolf

Similar Animals

Dingo
Dhole
Red Wolf
Grey Wolf
Maned Wolf
Golden Jackal
Side-Striped Jackal
Black-Backed Jackal