 |
The coyote is sometimes
referred to as the "small wolf" by the native Americans. It's name comes
from the Aztec word "coyotl." The scientific name for the small mammal
is "canis latrans" which means "barking dog." The coyote is a very remarkable
animal because it has a impressive ability to adapt to it's environment.
It is usually thought of as living in the mid-west but it has been found
all over the U.S. In 1995 a pair was found living in New York city.
You can distinguish coyotes from other species by the longer feet than dogs and the gray with sometime brownish coats. They have big bushy coats tails and they look like small German shepherds and sometimes are confused with dogs. Coyotes are nocturnal animals but sometimes can be seen hunting during the day. They eat small mammals, fruits, grasses, and vegetables. |
 |
In April and May up to twelve pups and they are all born blind. These pups are watched after until fall, but are allowed out of the den at 3 weeks and are taught to hunt at 12 weeks of age. The pups leave the den in the fall to set up there own, but don't go very far because they usually relocate with in 10 miles of the original den. |