American Jackal- Coyote Facts

American Jackal- Coyote Facts

1. The coyote, whose name comes from the Aztec word “coyotl,” continues to be the focus of many discussions.

2. Coyotes are a member of the dog family. Translation from Latin Canis latrans means barking dog.

3. The coyote, also known as the American jackal, brush wolf, or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

4. The coyote appears often in the tales and traditions of Native Americans-usually as a very savvy and clever beast. Modern coyotes have displayed their cleverness by adapting to the changing American landscape. 

5. These members of the dog family once lived primarily in open prairies and deserts, but now roam the continent's forests and mountains. They have even colonized cities like Los Angeles, and are now found over most of North America. 

6. Coyote populations are likely at an all-time high. These adaptable animals will eat almost anything. They hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer. They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and carrion.

7. Coyote vary in size depending on location but generally are 4 to 4 1/2 feet long including the tail and stand 18 - 25 inches tall at the shoulder weighing 20 to 50 pounds.  A coyote may be gray, brown or tan above and whitish underneath with a straight, bushy tail.

8. Coyote are adaptable and can live in a wide range of climates and conditions from suburbia to wilderness, from sea level to over 10,000 feet and are now found in all states except Hawaii. 

9. Coyotes are formidable in the field where they enjoy keen vision and a strong sense of smell. They can run up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour. In the fall and winter, they form packs for more effective hunting.

10. Coyotes form strong family groups. In spring, females den and give birth to litters of three to twelve pups. Both parents feed and protect their young and their territory. The pups are able to hunt on their own by the following fall 

11. Coyotes are normally shy and will steer clear of humans. 

12. However, when coyote breeding season is in full swing, (January/February), coyotes  become territorial and more aggressive during this time and may attack pets if left unattended. 

13. All small pets are at risk throughout the year from being preyed on as a food source, but risks elevate during the breeding season because not only will coyotes attack for food, they will also attack to defend territories. 

14. Coyotes are found in rural to urban areas and often go unnoticed.


15. Coyotes live for six to eight years in the wild.

16. The average range of a coyote’s territory is 8-12 square miles.

17. Mated pairs produce 3-10 pups annually

18. Coyotes can be difficult to distinguish from a medium-sized German shepherd dog from a distance. 

19. There is a wide variation in the coyote’s color, but generally their upper body is yellowish grey, and the fur covering the throat and belly is white to cream color. The coyote’s ears are pointed and stand erect, unlike the ears of domestic dogs that often droop. When observed running, coyotes carry their bushy, black-tipped tail below the level of their back.

20. Coyote ore omnivorous and make use of an astonishing variety of plant and animal foods including meat, garbage, insects, rodents, rabbits, birds, deer, carrion and even berries and fruits.  Coyote play an important part in controlling rodents. 

21. Coyotes communicate with a variety of barks, yips and howls. They also mark areas with urine, feces or gland secretions, much like domestic dogs. Body language plays an important role in the family social structure and in meetings between strangers. 

22. Facial expressions and body gestures can signal a coyote's aggressive, submissive or neutral intentions. 

23. Both parents care for the young, especially after they're weaned. Hunting short distances from the den (usually 3 to 5 miles), the parents kill and eat what they catch, then regurgitate it for the pups when they return. The pups begin to learn to hunt for themselves when they are 8 to 12 weeks old.

24. The coyotes have a very loud bark that will scare their enemies away.A coyote has a rounded tail  that will scare other animals.Coyotes have sharp claws that will kill their enemies .