The coyote is a medium-sized wild dog native to North America, famous for its adaptability. Persecution and the loss of wolves allowed it to spread across the continent, and it now lives everywhere from deserts to downtown parks.
Interesting facts
- Their scientific name, Canis latrans, means ‘barking dog’.
- Coyotes communicate with howls, yips and barks, often in group choruses.
- In the eastern United States and Canada, many coyotes carry some wolf and dog genes.
- Thousands of coyotes live in cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles.
- Coyotes can adjust their litter size depending on food supply and population pressure.
- They sometimes hunt alongside badgers, each benefiting from the other’s skills.
Behaviour
Coyotes live alone, in pairs or in family groups. They hunt small prey alone and may cooperate to take larger animals. They are mostly active at night near people, but also by day in quieter areas.
Breeding and young
Pairs often stay together for years. After about 63 days, a litter of about four to seven pups is born in a den. Both parents and sometimes older offspring feed and guard the pups.
Threats and conservation
Coyotes are abundant despite being hunted and trapped heavily. They face road deaths and disease, and conflict with livestock owners and pet owners.
Where to see it
- Yellowstone National Park, USA
- Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks, USA
- Urban parks in Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto
- Great Plains grasslands
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
