Coyotes are Nearctic canids. They occupy many diverse habitats between about 10 °N latitude (Costa Rica) and 70 °N latitude (northern Alaska).
Different members of a species often vary considerably in minor characteristics, such as size or coloration, and these variations tend to be constant within particular part of the species range due to some isolating mechanism, frequently geographic, structural or behavioral.
The coyote, like many other canids is an excellent sprinter and travels at speeds up to km/hour for short periods.
Coyotes look like slim German shepherds, with pointed, erect ears and long, slender nose. A coyote carries its bushy tail held low, near or between its back legs.
A coyote is opportunistic and feeds on just about any wild mammal. Documented prey include shrews, squirrels, voles, mice, rabbits, hares, muskrats, porcupines, deer and moose.
The coyote rarely kills species larger than itself and prefers, instead to scavenge off a reasonably fresh carcass.
They are found throughout the continental United States and in many areas for Canada. In some southeastern states, such as Florida and Georgia and several states, it appears that coyotes were transplanted, introduced or liberated by humans.
Coyote
The coyote is in fact a highly social animal, whose appetite for livestock has led it to be persecuted by humans.
Coyote (Canis latrans)
