Coyote
Coyotes, a very common predator in Arizona, are found in a wide range of habitats throughout the state. Though not always seen because of their nocturnal and crepuscular nature, their vocalizations, consisting of howls, yelps and barks, are regularly heard during almost any night spent in the field.
About
The coyote is a medium-sized member of the canine family, which includes wolves and foxes. The animal’s pointed ears, narrow nose, reddish-brown to blond coat, and black- or white-tipped tail help differentiate coyotes from dogs and wolves. A very large male may attain a weight of 35 pounds. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not readily interbreed with either dogs or wolves.
Although coyotes live in family groups, they usually do most of their hunting alone, at night and around dawn and dusk. Coyotes are opportunists, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods, but their preferred diet consists primarily of small mammals. They also feed on carrion, birds and eggs, reptiles, insects, and vegetable matter such as acorns, mesquite and palo verde beans, and juniper and manzanita berries. Coyotes prey on young pronghorn and deer when such items are available. When hunting small prey such as mice, the coyote stands still with its legs stiff and then pounces on its prey. When hunting larger prey such as deer, coyotes may hunt in packs. Coyotes also often follow badgers and catch animals that emerge from the burrow the badger is digging.
In urban areas, coyotes may become reliant on human-related food sources, including garbage, pet food, domestic cats and small dogs. While coyotes are common in rural and suburban areas across Arizona, interactions with humans are generally rare. Most coyotes are wary of humans and actively avoid them. However, interactions may be increasing because of urbanization, coyote range expansion and changing human behaviors, which raises concerns about potential conflicts. Coyote interactions can range from relatively benign sightings of the occasional animal without additional incidents to preying on pets or livestock to the most extreme cases of coyotes attacking people. AZGFD is committed to helping people learn how to behave responsibly and coexist safely in coyote habitat.
Life History
MMale and female coyotes pair off and form strong pair bonds, often mating together for several years, usually breeding in February. In a pack, only the alpha pair will mate, and subordinates usually help raise the young. After a two-month gestation period, several young are born in a den or burrow, which are mainly used during the breeding season and while rearing pups. Dens might consist of openings under trees or rocks, may be dug from scratch, or expanded from pre-existing burrows of other animals.
The pups are born blind with floppy ears and open their eyes in about 10 days. The pups begin to come out of their den when they are about 3 to 4 weeks old and begin leaving the vicinity of the den area when they are about 8 to 10 weeks old. They are weaned when they are about a month old. Once they are fully weaned, both parents feed the pups regurgitated food. Male pups will leave their mother when they are between 6 and 9 months old. Female pups will stay with their mother’s pack. Reproduction by subordinate females, an increase in litter sizes and/or breeding at a younger age may occur in coyote populations that are below carrying capacity and where prey is abundant.
Distribution and Abundance
Coyotes have dramatically increased in abundance while expanding their range since the early 1900s. They are now one of the most abundant mesocarnivores in North America. Previously restricted to the western two-thirds of North America, coyotes now occur across most of North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboard and from Alaska to Panama. They are now found in all parts of the United States except Hawaii, with particularly high abundance in the southwestern U.S. and lower abundance in the Northeast. Coyotes are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, plains, forests and brushy areas. Although coyotes can use any habitat, they typically prefer open areas such as prairie and desert. In urban areas, coyotes prefer wooded patches and shrubbery, which provide shelter to hide from people.
Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that thrive in a diverse array of environments. They are found in virtually every habitat and part of Arizona, from desert scrub, grasslands, interior chaparral and forests to rural areas, cities and suburbs.
Because of their widespread abundance, it can be difficult to estimate coyote population size over large landscapes such as entire states or countries. Therefore, managers must often rely on population indices to monitor population trends. Scent stations, trail cameras, vocalization responses, mark-recapture, scat counts and track counts are techniques used to assess relative or absolute abundance and may be extrapolated to larger scales. Wildlife managers typically use data derived from annual harvest surveys and observation reports to evaluate long-term trends in harvest and observation rates, which can serve as indicators of population change. Most information suggests that coyote populations generally are stable or increasing in most areas.
Management and Research
As with most predatory species, perspectives on the ecological value of coyotes and their management have evolved over the past century. In the 19th and 20th centuries, coyotes were largely viewed as a threat to livestock and human safety, and many federal and state programs were implemented to reduce coyote populations with the intent of eradication. Today, efforts have shifted from elimination to population management, reducing conflicts with humans, livestock and other wildlife while maintaining long-term viable coyote populations.
In Arizona, coyotes are considered a renewable wildlife resource and are managed to maintain present range, distribution and population levels in the state. Regulated hunting is one tool wildlife managers use to keep predator and prey populations balanced and reduce adverse impacts on any of those populations. Harvest is monitored to ensure it is not detrimental to the coyote population.