Coyote Facts
Coyote Facts
|
| Interesting Coyote Facts: |
|---|
| Coyotes are usually 32 to 37 inches long and have between 20 and 50 pounds. Their size is somewhere in between foxes and wolves. |
| Color of the coyote's fur ranges from grayish brown to reddish brown. Fur on their belly is usually white. Color of their body helps them blend with their environment. |
| Coyote has pointed ears and muzzle and flat forehead. Another easily recognized feature is a long, bushy tail. |
| Coyotes are omnivores (eat both meat and vegetation). They will eat anything they find. Their favorite food include: rabbits, rodents (rats, mice, squirrels), antelopes, lizards, birds, cactus fruits, flowers. They will even eat dead animals (carcasses) and garbage if they cannot find anything else. |
| Hunting strategy depends on the type of prey they are chasing. If coyote hunt a small prey, it will hunt alone. If the prey of choice is larger animal, such as deer, group of coyotes (composed of several animals) will join their forces to kill the prey. Coyotes are the most active during the dawn and the dusk. |
| Coyote has incredible sense of hearing and smelling. It can localize a prey hiding under the snow using his ears. |
| Coyote relies on its ears to avoid danger, also. It can detect hunters that are one mile away. |
| Coyotes have special tactic to avoid predators and potential danger. They move silently by walking on the tips of their toes. |
| Main predators of coyotes are bears, cougars, wolves and humans (coyotes are treated as pests and humans often kill them to protect livestock). |
| Coyotes are excellent runners. They can achieve a speed of 40 miles per hours when chasing the prey. They are also excellent swimmers, which is especially important when they are trying to escape the danger. |
| Coyotes produce wide variety of sounds for communication. They can howl, yelp, and produce high-pitched cries. They can also bark, growl, wail, and squeal. Communication allows coyote to keep track on its family members. |
| Coyotes are territorial animals. Just like dogs, they use urine to mark their territory. |
| Mating season takes place in February. Pregnancy lasts 60 to 63 days and it ends with five to seven babies. Mother takes good care of her babies in the underground den or in a den made of bushes and trees. Urine marks are used as alert sign to keep other coyotes away from a den. If mother detects danger, she will move her cubs to a safer location. |
| Coyotes are monogamous (one couple mate for a lifetime). |
| Average lifespan of the coyote in the wild is between 10 and 14 years. They can live up to 20 years in the captivity. |
|
Related Links: Facts Animal Facts Animals Facts |