The Coyote
The Coyote (Canis Latrans)
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: Latrans
The coyote, or "little wolf" as the Native Americans call
it, is a member of the dog family. It is the topic of many Native
American folklore tales. Its name comes from the Aztec word
"coyotl." Its scientific name is "canis latrans" which means
"barking dog."
The coyote, usually associated with the open lands of the
west, is now found throughout the United States. Not native to
Ohio, its presence here shows the animal's ability to adapt to
new environments. Coyotes' good sense of smell, hearing and
vision, along with being sly, enable them to even live in some
urban areas. For example, a pair was found in New York City in
the Spring of 1995. Presently coyotes can be found in all of the
88 counties of Ohio.
The coyote has the appearance of a medium-sized dog or a
small German Shepherd. Coyotes are about one and a half to two
feet tall and between forty-one and fifty-three inches long.
Weight ranges from twenty to fifty pounds. They have a bushy
tail that is tipped with black. Most are grey, but some show
rust or brown coloration. Coyote tracks are more elongated than
dog tracks.
This nocturnal animal is most active at night, but if not
threatened by man they will hunt during the day. The coyote is
omnivorous. They will eat fruits, grasses, and vegetables along
with small mammals. The coyote has a bad reputation for killing
sheep and other livestock, but studies show that livestock
accounts for only 14 percent of the coyotes' diet.
Coyotes mate for life. Between January and March is the
breeding period. Most do not breed until they are two years old.
The female selects and maintains the den. They usually dig their
own dens but sometimes they use an old badger hole or fix up a
natural hole. Dens are usually hidden from view.
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Other Pages Related To Coyotes
Ohio Division of Wildlife; Life History Note; Coyote
The Coyote
Coyote
Coyote Photo & Sound File