Western Coyote

The California coyote (Canis latrans) is a subspecies of the North American coyote and is found throughout California and in parts of Oregon, Nevada, and Baja California.  They are a medium-sized members of the canine family and a very close cousin of our pet dogs! Coyotes are typically grayish brown in color with a lighter underbelly with long legs, a narrow snout, and a bushy tail. Coyotes are very social animals and live in packs of up to ten individuals. They are highly intelligent and have been observed using tools and cooperating with one another.  They also have a complex social structure and can be very vocal, using a variety of calls and vocalizations to communicate with one another.

Coyotes are omnivorous, eating small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruit, insects, and carrion and usually remain active during the night. Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to control populations of small animals, such as mice and rabbits, which can be pests to farmers. They also help to disperse the seeds of plants they eat, aiding in the regeneration of vegetation. Coyotes have adapted to many different types of environments and can be found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, chaparral, woodlands, and even urban areas. They face many predators, including humans, wolves, mountain lions, bears, and other large carnivores. Coyotes are a species of least concern, but they are killed by humans in some areas due to livestock predation.