Also, in hard winters, when these swollen deer populations run out of food, the deer die of starvation, and the resident coyotes enjoy a food bonanza. For example, in winter, when snow conditions are right, coyotes can kill large ungulates, or hoofed mammals, such as deer, that multiply in the absence of wolves. It has meant less competition for many prey animals. The removal of the wolf in some areas has meant more to coyotes than the absence of a feared predator. The coyote has learned to scavenge the carcasses of domestic livestock, much as it still scavenges the carrion left by wolves, where the two species occur together. The mosaic of grassy fields, brush, and woodlots created by farming areas that were once covered with unbroken forest has provided attractive habitat for the coyote, as well as several other species like the red fox and raccoon. The reasons for the coyote’s expansion are not fully understood but probably include several conditions created by people: the clearing of forests, provision of carrion, or dead animal flesh, from domestic livestock, and the removal of the wolf. However, about the turn of the twentieth century, the coyote began a dramatic range expansion that is still in progress. It appeared to prefer open or semi-wooded habitats. Back to top Habitat and HabitsĮuropean settlers found the coyote on the plains, prairies, and deserts of central and western North America. Is it a cry for food, for a mate, or a proclamation of its territorial claims? Is it just an expression of joy at being alive or of sociability? The coyote is fond of playing with other coyotes, even with its prey before devouring it. The cry invariably brings a reply, then a sort of commentary followed by another prolonged cry, and finally a volley of raucous yelpings. Scientists are intrigued by the coyote’s howling, which seems to be a means of communication. The coyote can also sound farther away than it is. Two coyotes howling in unison can create the illusion of a dozen or more. If several coyotes are in the same vicinity, the howling of one triggers that of the others, resulting in an impressive concert. Although often silent in daytime, it may make itself heard at any time from sunset to sunrise, and especially at dusk and dawn.
The coyote can also bark, growl, wail, and squeal. Like the wolf, the coyote’s best-known trait is its yelping and howling cry, a sequence of high-pitched, ear-piercing bayings. Trappers use the secretions when they set traps to attract the coyote. The coyote’s urine has a very strong smell and is used to mark out its territory. Scent glands often become more active when the animals meet. Such glands also exist on other parts of the body. Like all Canidae, the coyote has, at the root of the tail, a gland that releases a scent. Because it is light-coloured in winter and dark in summer, it blends well with the seasonal surroundings. The coyote’s fur is long and soft and well suited to protect it from the cold.
The tail, darker on top and lighter on the underside, is lightly fawn-coloured towards the tip, which is black. Legs, paws, muzzle, and the back of the ears are more yellowish in colour the throat, belly, and the insides of the ears are whiter. The fur is generally a tawny grey, darker on the hind part of the back where the black-tipped hair becomes wavy. The claws are not used in attack or defence they are typically blunted from constant contact with the ground and do not leave deep marks. The forepaws show a rudimentary thumb, reduced to a claw, located high on the inner side. The paw, more elongated than that of a dog of the same size, has four toes with nonretractable claws. The long tongue often hangs down between the teeth the coyote regulates its body temperature by panting. The neck is well furred and looks oversized for the body. The canine, or pointed, teeth are remarkably long and can inflict serious wounds. The yellow, slightly slanting eyes, with their black round pupils, give the coyote a characteristic expression of cunning. Unlike most dogs, the top of the muzzle on coyotes forms an almost continuous line with the forehead. It has a tapering muzzle and a black nose. The coyote’s ears are wide, pointed, and erect. The female is usually four-fifths as large. Slimmer and smaller than the wolf, the male coyote weighs from 9 to 23 kg, has an overall length of 120 to 150 cm (including a 30- to 40-cm tail), and stands 58 to 66 cm high at the shoulder. Other members of the family are the wolf, red fox, arctic fox, grey fox, swift fox, and dog. The coyote Canis latrans is one of the seven representatives of the Canidae family found in Canada.
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