Coyote pair
Photo by: Lisa Robinson
coyote Canis latrans
Order Carnivore flesh-eating mammals of great diversity in habitat and appearance
Suborder Pinnipedia– mostly marine and Suborder Fissipedia– mostly land-living
Suborder Fissipedia
- long pointed canine teeth
- 3 incisors on both sides of both jaws
- a divided foot with 4 toes
Family Canidae Foxes, wolves, coyotes (walk on their toes, have long legs adapted for running, & non-retractable claws. All have bushy tails and well-developed “slicing” cheek teeth)
Size: Males-25 inches tall at shoulder, 20-35 Pounds. Females slightly smaller.
Key ID Features: bushy tail, large pointed ears.
Color: highly variable- black-brown-gray-rust-tan-to-yellow.
Description: Coyotes are mostly active at night, but can be seen hunting during daylight hours. Coyotes are extremely wary and have excellent sense of smell, with well-developed sense of hearing and sight.
Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores- they eat plants and animals-dead or alive. They hunt small mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds, and eat carrion (dead flesh). In summer, they also eat eat fruits, berries, & grass.
Habitat: Widespread and increasing due to high adaptability to humans
