Coyotes are in their peak breeding season.
Coyotes are active year round, but you are more likely to see and hear them in February. Mating season begins in January and continues through March. During this time, they vocalize more frequently and may roam farther than usual in search of a mate. Coyotes are monogamous and typically stay with the same partner for life unless one dies prematurely.
Part of the dog family, coyotes usually have brown and gray fur and often display reddish colors on their face, behind their ears, and on their legs. They are often mistaken for dogs, but their slender bodies, pointed ears, and black-tipped bushy tails can help make the distinction. You can also tell them apart from other wild canines by their size: coyotes are larger than foxes and smaller than wolves.
Coyotes prefer open habitats like prairies and deserts, but they are highly adaptable and can live in nearly any environment across North America, including urban areas. Research projects across the country study how coyotes live alongside humans and interact with other wildlife. One example is the UW Urban Canid Project in Madison, which examines both coyote and fox behavior in urban environments.
Coyotes are carnivores and opportunistic feeders, shifting their diet to whatever is most available. They most often eat small rodents, but they will also take larger prey and have even been known to eat fruit. In urban areas, squirrels, rabbits, and geese are common prey. On rare occasions, especially at night, coyotes may attack unattended pets.
Coyotes sometimes live alone but often form small family groups called packs. Even then, they usually hunt and travel alone or in pairs, so the whole group is rarely seen together. A typical pack includes a breeding male and female and their pups, sometimes with older offspring helping to raise younger siblings. Litters average four to seven pups, depending on food availability and environmental conditions.
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