Coyotes-By-Erin-Mark-Xochitl -and-Dylan

Coyotes are opportunistic, versatile carnivores with a 90% mammalian diet, depending on the season. They primarily eat small mammals, such as voles, prairie dogs, eastern cottontails, ground squirrels, and mice, though they will eat birds, snakes, lizards, deer, javelina, and livestock, as well as large insects and other large invertebrates. Any species of birds that nests on the ground are targeted by coyotes. Though they will consume large amounts of carrion, they tend to prefer fresh meat. Fruits and vegetables are a significant part of the coyote's diet in the autumn and winter months. Part of the coyote's success as a

species is its dietary adaptability. As such, coyotes have been known to eat human rubbish and domestic pets. They catch cats and dogs when they come too close to the pack. Urban populations of coyotes have been known to actively hunt cats, and to leap shorter fences to take small dogs. In particularly bold urban packs, coyotes have also been reported to shadow human joggers or larger dogs, and even to take small dogs while the dog is still on a leash. However, this behavior is often reported when normal urban prey, such as rabbits, have become scarce

found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Small mammals such as chipmunks, rabbits, gophers, voles and ground squirrels comprise much of a coyote's diet.

Coyotes will also eat birds, snakes, lizards, insects, toads and frogs it if can capture them and other food is scarce. Coyotes will also kill and eat small dogs, cats and other domestic animals such as sheep and goats if the opportunity and the need arises.

Coyotes will join forces to pursue and kill larger prey such as adult deer. In the winter, the carcasses of large game species such as deer and elk are an important part of a coyote's diet.

Coyotes can and will kill calfs (small cows) and other animals. At times there gets to be to many coyotes and some need to be killed in order to keep other animals safe.

The coyote does most of its hunting alone and at night. It is carnivorous. Most of its diet is made up of mammals, but it also will eat birds and snakes. It prefers to eat fresh kill, but it will eat carrion. In the fall and winter, the coyote often eats fruits, vegetables and berries.

When hunting small prey like mice, the coyote will stand still with its legs stiff and then pounce on its prey. When hunting larger prey like deer, coyotes hunt in packs. One or more coyote will chase the deer while the others wait, then the next group will pick up the chase. Working in teams like this, the coyote can tire the deer out, making it easier to kill. Coyotes also often follow badgers and catch prey that pop out of burrows the badger is digging.

Coyotes can be found in a variety of habitats including fields, plains and bushy areas.

A healthy, stable coyote population can actually be beneficial by keeping down the population of rodents – their dominant food source, she said.

Coyotes have proliferated widely throughout North America. People tend to associate them with the western areas of the continent, but they range from the Pacific Ocean to Ohio and Michigan. Recently, some have been trapped as far east as New York. They go as far north as Alaska and as far south as Costa Rica in Central America. Their ability to adapt to a wide variety of natural habitats is probably related to the fact that they can live on almost any kind of food.

Coyotes hunt both day and night. They are very opportunistic feeders with a varied diet which includes scavanging the large kills of other animals.

Coyotes are basiclyy carnivores but will also eat insects, fruits, berries, and prickly pear cactus. The coyotes prefered diet includes deer, elk, rabbits mice squirrels, pocket gophers, beavers, ground nesting birds, amphibians, lizards, snails and

fish.

Coyotes have a very broad range of adaptation. They are seen traveling alone, in pairs, and in packs. Their very broad diet allows them to survive in many different territories. At the present times coyotes are more afraid of humans then we are of them. Some cases have shown coyotes becoming more brave and aggressive towards humans. Cases such as people feeding these animals give the coyote a sense of trust that through adaptation will be bad in the future.  They have been known to become less afraid and more aggressive toward humans. Coyotes use urine to mark their territories and have a variety of calls which help defend their territory as well as strengthen bonds and communication.

Coyotes have a keen sense of sight, smell, and hearing, which allow them to survive in many different areas. Food is what makes the coyote’s habitat. Wherever the food is, is where the coyote needs to be. They can occupy a range of up to twelve miles. Although coyotes dig their own dens, they have been known to burrow out small fox and badger holes.  They are also found in small mountain crevices.  These dens are only used for tending to the young the rest of the year these dens are abandoned.

A coyotes’ main diet consists of mice, rats, insects, rabbits, etc. They are known to hunt day and night, either alone or in packs. Coyotes will occasionally hunt larger animals but not alone.  They have also been known to eat out of open garbage cans and whatever humans feed them. So keep your garbage cans covered and do not encourage them with food.