The scientific name of the coyote,Canis latrans, literally means “barking dog.” Coyotes make a variety of vocalizations from barking to shrill yips and howls. They are active day or night, but usually most active at sunset and sunrise. They are also territorial, with a resident pair having an established territory shared by other members of the family group.
A coyote’s home range varies from 1,500 to 12,000 acres depending on the individual, food availability and other factors. Coyotes established in urban areas have smaller home ranges than coyotes in rural areas.
Coyotes eat a variety of plants and animals including fruits, insects, rats and mice, rabbits, birds, deer, livestock, virtually any type of carrion, and people’s trash and pet food. They usually hunt alone, sometimes as a pair, but rarely, as a pack.
Coyotes have one breeding cycle per year. They can first breed when they are 10 months old. Breeding occurs in late winter and following a 63-day gestation period, 4 to 6 pups are born. They den in hollow logs, brush piles and burrows. Pups emerge from dens when they are about 3 weeks old. Parental care lasts until the pups are about 9 months old. The young usually then disperse to a new area, where they establish their own breeding territories. Some pups, however, may stay in their parents’ territory and assist with rearing the next year’s litter.