The coyote is a medium-sized member of the dog family that includes wolves and foxes.

Overall Appearance: With its pointed ears, slender muzzle, and drooping bushy tail, the coyote often resembles a German shepherd or collie.

Coloration: Coyotes are usually a grayish brown with reddish tinges behind the ears and around the face, but coloration can vary from a silver-gray to black. The tail usually has a black tip.

Eyes: Eyes are a striking yellow, with large dark pupils, rather than brown like many dogs.

Weight: Most adults weigh between 25-35 lbs. A few big ones weigh in the 42-43 lb range.

	When do coyotes have young?

Pup in den from the Big Hill pack
 

Mating and Gestation: In most years, coyotes typically mate in February. Only the alpha pair mates in a pack, but subordinates may help raise the young. In April, after a 62- to 65-day gestation period, the female will begin looking for existing dens or dig one herself.

The Den: This is the only time coyotes will voluntarily use a den (they usually sleep above
ground in the open or in cover).
It is not uncommon for mothers to move their young from den to den to keep them protected or to re-use the same den in multiple years. Some coyotes select secluded areas for their dens, whereas others in more urbanized areas have less
selection and may use dens near buildings or roads. They usually prefer some protective cover at the den, such as bushes or trees, and some type of slope for drainage.
 

The Litter:
Litter sizes often range from four to seven pups, depending on food availability and the density of the surrounding coyote population 

Some litters can be bigger; the largest litter we have found was 11 pups taken from one den. Coyotes
have the ability to adjust their litter sizes based on food abundance and population density. It is difficult for us to get reliable estimates of litter sizes in urban areas, but every indication suggests that litter sizes were larger than average, which indicates an abundant food supply. Pups stay in the den for about six weeks, and then begin traveling short distances with adults. By the end of summer, pups are spending some time away from parents and attempting to hunt on their own or with siblings.

Profile of a coyote, with long snout and large upright ears.

	How long do coyotes live?

In captivity, coyotes can live

13 to 15 years, but in the wild, most die before they reach three years of age. In our study, we found that coyotes  generally have a 60 percent chance of surviving one year. Learn more . . .

 

	Coyote-Dog Hybrids

People often speculate as to the frequency of coydogs in urban settings. Coyotes
and dogs are related, and they are biologically capable of producing hybrid litters.
Coydogs have been raised in captivity. Genetic surveys of coyotes have rarely documented evidence of dogs in the genetic makeup of coyotes, despite domestic dogs and coyotes sharing the continent for the past 9,000 years. Although it is possible, coydogs in urban settings are unlikely because:
◆ Coyotes are highly seasonal breeders; dogs are not.
◆ Coydog females have a shifted estrus cycle that does not coincide with the
coyote period.
◆ Domestic dog and coydog males do not tend to litters, whereas male
coyotes do.
◆ Coydogs may have lower fertility than either domestic dogs or coyotes.

Click here for 5 easy steps to avoiding problems with coyotes!

	What Do Urban Coyotes Eat?

Diet: Many people believe that urban coyotes primarily eat garbage and pets. Although coyotes are predators, they are also opportunistic and shift their diets to take advantage of the most available prey.

A vole, one of the most common diet items for coyotes and a frequent yard and garden pest. Photo courtesy of Cedar Creek Natural History Area, University of Minnesota. Used with permission.

Paul Morey analyzed scat contents at different locations within our study area. He analyzed 1,429 scats and found that diet items varied across space and time, which reflects the flexible food habits of coyotes. The most common food items were small rodents (42 percent), fruit (23 percent), deer (22 percent), and rabbit (18 percent). (Scats often have more than one diet item; therefore, frequencies do not necessarily add up to 100 percent.)  Apparently the majority of coyotes in our study area do not, in fact, rely on pets or garbage for their diets.

Table 1. Frequency of Food Items in the Diets of Coyotes in Cook County, Illinois.*
Diet Item	Occurrence
Small rodents	42%
White-tailed deer	22%
Fruit	23%
Eastern cottontail	18%
Bird species	13%
Raccoon	8%
Grass	6%
Invertebrates	4%
Human-associated	2%
Muskrat	1%
Domestic cat	1%
Unknown	1%
* Based on the contents of 1,429 scats collected during 2000-2002. Some scats contained multiple items; therefore, the percentages exceed 100%.

	So what's the social life of a coyote like?

Coyotes typically have a highly organized social system, even in urban areas. This consists of packs, or groups of coyotes that apparently defend territories from other coyotes. More here. . .