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Coyote Behavior

One of the most adaptable animals in the world, the Coyote can change its breeding habits, diet and social dynamics to survive in a wide variety of habitats.

Alone, in pairs or in packs, Coyotes maintain their territories by marking them with urine. They also use calls to defend this territory, as well as for strengthening social bonds and general communication.

Coyote Vital Statics
  • Weight: 15-45 lbs.
  • Length with tail: 40-60"
  • Shoulder Height: 15-20"
  • Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years
  • Mating Season: Jan-March
  • Gestation Period: 58-65 days
  • No. of Young: 2-12, 6 avg.
  • Birth Interval: 1 year
  • Lifespan: 15 years in the wild
  • Typical diet: Small mammals, insects, reptiles, fruit & carrion
 Curious Coyote Facts
  • Only 5-20% of Coyote pups survive their first year.
  • The Coyote can run at almost 40 mph.
  • Coyotes can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves. A dog-coyote mix is called a "coydog."
  • The Coyote is more likely afraid of you than vice-versa.
  • Coyotes maintain their territory by marking it with urine.

Although the Coyote usually digs its own den, it will sometimes enlarge an old badger hole or perhaps fix up a natural hole in a rocky ledge to suit its own needs. Dens are usually hidden from view, but they are fairly easy to locate because of the trails that lead away from the den. The Coyote uses the den to birth its young and to sleep. The Coyote does not hibernate.

Coyotes have a good sense of smell, vision and hearing which, coupled with evasiveness, enables them to survive both in the wild and occasionally in the suburban areas of large cities. They are common in most rural areas, but because of their secretive nature, few are seen. Efforts to control or exterminate the Coyote by predator control agents seem to have produced an animal that is extremely alert and wary and well able to maintain itself.

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