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Coyote

Canis latrans

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Field Notes

Description:

This is a medium-sized canid whose grizzled coat varies from gray to white to brown to a rusty tan.

Habitat:

A generalist, coyotes can be found in mountains, boreal forest, eastern deciduous forest, and grasslands. They are even becoming common in suburban areas.

Notes:

This particular coyote was hunting alongside a road in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on a foggy morning. I found her later in the morning still hunting the same area. There was a den nearby with several pups in it. Occasionally they would come out of the den and explore their immediate neighborhood, play, and munch on old feathers and a bone.

Reference Links:

Coyote

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)
SarahWhitt
Emma....that's an incredible story! As a horse rider & with friends who ride, no one I have ever met feels that way about coyotes. Maybe the people you met yesterday have friendlier coyotes in their woods than we do here. :)
Maria dB
The coyotes range has increased. They have arrived in the Central North Carolina town where I live and one was seen carrying off a neighborr's cat. I make sure my cats are indoors at night. I found one dead in woods near my home, near a road. It must have been hit by a car and then expired there. It was really a gorgeous animal.
HemaShah
ironically, i met two people riding horses yesterday, One of them mentioned how much he likes coyotes. He said they they run with his horses and are really nice!! It so happened that I saw a coyote yesterday. It triggered the emergency alarm system for ground squirrels!!I saw them outside their holes trilling!! Quiet a chorus! The man on horse back said that he hated ground squirrels instead. They dug holes in the ground. His horse's foot got stuck in one and he sprained it badly!! The coyote disappeared into the bush when he saw me.
SarahWhitt
I have mixed feelings about them. I grew up on the same farm where I live now. The population of coyotes has increased immensely over the years. I have witnessed them on the verge of attacking newborn calves. Seen the after-effects of their destruction of infant calves & deer & goats. It's nature & I totally understand. Yes, they are a handsome animal. But, I get chillbumps whenever I see them in person. I have horses, and know that I would protect their lives if a coyote attempted them any harm. That's just "life on the farm". Luckily, I can say, I have not ever had to do that (knock on wood). So, I suppose I am but a mere fence sitter on whether or not I "like" this animal.... ;)
Gordon Dietzman
Coyotes are looked at as vermin and I'm not sure a lot of states have given them much of a protected status. Growing up on a farm, I never remember us having any problems with coyotes, but I don't think we had very many at that time. They are not uncommon in that area of southwest Wisconsin now, however. Still, I don't hear farmers complaining about them down there. I think they are handsome animals and--whether one likes or dislikes them--you have to give them credit for being able to live in close proximity to humans and still do so well. I've got some video from my trailcam of coyotes in my backyard. I'll have to post those later tonight if I have time.
SarahWhitt
Nice photos, Gordon... Coyotes in my neck of the woods (southeastern, Ohio) are hunted. Because of the danger to livestock, the ODNR has a "no closed season for hunting or trapping coyotes". There's also "no limit".
Gordon Dietzman
Emma, I suppose it is when compared to some dogs...grin. Coyotes have a very bushy tail compared to most dogs and so the longer hair may make the tail look longer. Thanks Karen for the kind words.
HemaShah
Tail is longer than a dogs tail?
KarenL
Lovely series Gordon!

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 27, 2012

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