Coyote

Coyote facts at a glance

How big is a coyote?

An adult coyote measures 1.4 m long — about 78% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 20 kg, about 29% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).

What is a group of coyotes called?

Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .

Adaptability and intelligence

Few large predators have adapted to human change as well as the coyote. As wolves were removed from much of North America, coyotes expanded their range across the entire continent, including into major cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. They are intelligent and flexible, adjusting their diet, activity times, and social behaviour to local conditions — becoming more nocturnal and secretive where people are common.

Diet and hunting

Coyotes are omnivores that hunt small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, but they will also take birds, reptiles, insects, carrion, and fruit, and occasionally cooperate to bring down larger prey like deer. This broad diet lets them survive almost anywhere. In urban areas they also scavenge food waste, which can draw them closer to people.

The coyote chorus

The coyote's scientific name, Canis latrans, means 'barking dog', and its vocal range is remarkable. Group yip-howls — a chorus of yips, barks, and howls — help packs and family groups stay in contact and advertise territory. The sound can make two or three coyotes seem like many more, which is why their calls are such a familiar feature of the American night.

Range and relationships

Coyotes live in family groups based around a breeding pair, defending a territory and raising pups in a den. In the east, some coyotes carry wolf and dog ancestry and are larger than their western counterparts, sometimes nicknamed 'coywolves'. Listed as Least Concern, the coyote is one of the few wild predators whose numbers and range have grown despite heavy persecution.

Did you know? Coyote facts

• The coyote is a highly adaptable wild dog native to North America, smaller and slimmer than a wolf, with tawny-grey fur, pointed ears, and a bushy tail.
• A group of coyotes is called a pack or a band. Coyotes usually live in family groups centred on a breeding pair, and a baby coyote is called a pup.
• Attacks on people are very rare, as coyotes are naturally wary. The risk rises where coyotes are fed or become used to people, so they should never be approached or fed, and small pets should be supervised.
• Coyotes are smaller and slimmer than wolves, with narrower snouts and larger ears relative to the head. Wolves are much heavier, hunt larger prey in bigger packs, and have a deeper howl.
• Coyotes are omnivores that mainly eat small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, plus birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, and carrion. In cities they also scavenge food waste and occasionally take unattended pets.
• Conservation: Least Concern (IUCN).

Diet & feeding

Coyote feeds primarily as a omnivore (rodents, rabbits, deer, fruit). Few large predators have adapted to human change as well as the coyote. As wolves were removed from much of North America, coyotes expanded their range across the entire continent, including into major cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. They are

Adaptations

• Few large predators have adapted to human change as well as the coyote. As wolves were removed from much of North America, coyotes expanded their range across the entire continent, including into major cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. They are intelligent and flexible, adjusting their diet, activity times, and social behaviour to local conditions — becoming more nocturnal and secretive where people are common.
• Coyotes are omnivores that hunt small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, but they will also take birds, reptiles, insects, carrion, and fruit, and occasionally cooperate to bring down larger prey like deer. This broad diet lets them survive almost anywhere. In urban areas they also scavenge food waste, which can draw them closer to people.

Behaviour & ecology

• Few large predators have adapted to human change as well as the coyote. As wolves were removed from much of North America, coyotes expanded their range across the entire continent, including into major cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. They are intelligent and flexible, adjusting their diet, activity times, and social behaviour to local conditions — becoming more nocturnal and secretive where people are common.
• Coyotes are omnivores that hunt small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, but they will also take birds, reptiles, insects, carrion, and fruit, and occasionally cooperate to bring down larger prey like deer. This broad diet lets them survive almost anywhere. In urban areas they also scavenge food waste, which can draw them closer to people.
• The coyote's scientific name, Canis latrans, means 'barking dog', and its vocal range is remarkable. Group yip-howls — a chorus of yips, barks, and howls — help packs and family groups stay in contact and advertise territory. The sound can make two or three coyotes seem like many more, which is why their calls are such a familiar feature of the American night.

Communication

• Coyote uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
• Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.

Habitat & range

Prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities

Ecological role

Coyote plays a recognised ecological role in prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities.

Conservation status of the Coyote

Sources & references

This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Coyote:

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

  Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Canis latrans, most recently assessed in 2018.

• iNaturalist — observations & photos

  Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Canis latrans. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.

• GBIF — occurrence data

  Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Canis latrans. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.

• IUCN Red List — Canis latrans.

  Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.

• Animal Diversity Web — Canis latrans. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

  Life history, morphology, and range.

• Wikipedia — Coyote.

  General taxonomy and overview (cross-check primary sources).

• Global Animal Guide editorial standards

  How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.