Coyote
Native
American folklore often tells the story of Coyote. He plays many
roles but is best known as the trickster. Coyotes (Canis latrans)
are extremely adaptable and thrive in a wide range of habitats
from mountains to deserts. In fact, they are among the most
adaptable mammals in North America. Even as humans modify their
habitat, they still are able to exploit necessary resources.
They can be found as far north as Alaska and as far south as
Central America. The coyote’s deceptive manor along with its
intelligence has made it the survivor it is today and that it
has been for thousands of years.
It is easy to see that coyotes are canines, like domestic dogs
and wolves. When coyotes run, they hold their tails down, unlike
wolves, which run with their tails straight out. Coyote fur can
vary considerably. Depending on the region, coyotes may be
brown, red, or grayish. They have long, triangular ears and a
narrow snout.
Coyotes do most of their hunting at night and their diet can
vary. They are opportunistic and eat whatever is available to
them but they prefer fresh kills. Mammals are a major portion of
their diet, although sometimes they will eat snakes and birds.
In the fall and winter months, coyotes are known to eat fruits
and berries along with other vegetation. Coyotes are incredible
hunters. When hunting small prey like mice, a coyote will stand
extremely still and wait for the mouse to come in pouncing
range. Other times they will stalk prey. Working in a pack
creates an advantage for coyotes when preying on larger mammals
such as deer, or when defending food resources, territory, and
themselves. When hunting larger prey, they work in teams and
take turns chasing the animal until it tires, making it easier
to kill.
Coyotes live in a variety of social arrangements. Some live
alone, others in mated pairs, and others in packs, which may
consist of one mated pair, their new young, and offspring from
the previous season that have not yet left their parents.
Generally coyotes living in unexploited areas form packs. In the
spring and early summer, females typically have a litter of
about six puppies. The puppies are born helpless and blind.
After 10 days the puppies can open their eyes and after about
four to six weeks they emerge from their den. Coyotes only use
dens to give birth and nurse their young. The den serves only as
a temporary nursery. Dens often have more than one opening and
are hard to find. Coyotes are very careful about not leading
anyone or anything to their dens. Coyotes have not one, but
several dens which they use. This not only protects their pups
from predators, but moving the pups also protects them from the
fleas and other parasites that build up in the den. Coyotes will
aggressively defend their puppies if threatened. After the
female nurses the puppies for four to six weeks, both the male
and female co-parent the puppies by feeding them regurgitated
food.
Coyotes are the most vocal mammals in North America. In fact,
their name comes from the Aztec word, “coyoti,” which means
“barking dog.” Because coyotes are more active at night, vocal
communication is more important than visual communication.
Coyotes communicate using a variety of sounds including barks,
yips and howls. Coyotes use howls to let other members of the
pack know their location. They use short barks to warn others of
danger nearby. When a pack of coyotes welcomes a new member into
the pack, they “yip.”
The coyote is often viewed as a nuisance, but they are highly
intelligent and play an important role in the natural ecosystem.
They are, however, remarkably adaptable and therefore management
of the species through hunting and trapping is beneficial. In
Oklahoma, coyotes are open to hunting year-round with no daily
limit or season limit. For full season details, consult the
current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”