What kind of animal is a coyote? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Coyotes are widely distributed from the North American continent to the western part of Panama and are known as carnivores. Coyotes have adapted to a variety of environments and often appear in residential areas where humans live.
What is Coyote? Basic Stats
Coyotes are carnivores classified in the family Canidae, family Canis. Their scientific name is Canis latrans, and their English name is Coyote. They are 70-100cm long, 30-40cm long, and weigh 10-20kg. The list of information is as follows:
| Japanese（和名） | コヨーテ |
| English（英名） | Coyote Prairie Wolf |
| scientific name(学名) | Canis latrans |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、 Canidae、Canis 哺乳綱、食肉目、イヌ科、イヌ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 70-100cm |
| Weight（体重） | 10-20kg |
Habitat
Coyotes live in North America, Central America, and some parts of South America.
What are their characteristics? What kind of creature are they?
Coyotes have pale yellowish brown fur mixed with white fur, yellowish limbs, gray-brown tails and the back of the body, and gray-white undersides. Coyotes can be found in forests, open grasslands, and bushes. Coyotes are often seen as wolves, but they are smaller than wolves. They are mainly nocturnal, but sometimes active during the day. They are territorial and claim their territory in their habitat by urinating. They are fast runners, able to run at up to 65km per hour, and can jump up to 4m.
What is their personality like?
Coyotes are not very social, and often live alone, in pairs, or in family groups, so they do not form large groups. This is because there are few predators. The range of activity is 20 to 40 km2 for males and about 10 km2 for females.
What is their ecology?
Coyotes feed mainly on small animals, birds, and reptiles, but also on carrion and plant matter such as fruit. They are monogamous and breed from January to March. They have a gestation period of 50 to 65 days and can give birth to 1 to 7 pups at a time. Their eyes open after 10 days to 2 weeks, and they nurse for 5 to 7 weeks. They live for 10 to 20 years.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Coyotes have no known natural enemies. Rather, they sometimes compete with cougars and wolves for food.
Are coyotes an endangered species?
Coyotes are not an endangered species. Rather, their habitat and distribution are expanding, with some of them even extending their territories to South America. They are prolific and have a high survival rate for their young, so there is no risk of extinction.
Can coyotes be kept as pets?
Coyotes are carnivores, so they are not suitable for ordinary people to keep as pets, and there is a possibility that they may be a nuisance to neighbors, so it is not recommended to keep them as pets. There have been cases of coyotes carrying the rabies virus, so care should be taken when coming into contact with them.
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