Coyote
Description:
The Coyote (Canis latrans) is a member of the dog family. In size and shape the Coyote is like a medium-sized Collie dog, but its tail is round and bushy and is carried straight out below the level of its back. Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys weigh about 20 pounds, and are light gray or tan with a black tip on the tail.
Habitat:
The Coyote inhabits all life zones of the Desert Southwest from low valley floors to the crest of the Highest Mountains, but especially on open plains, grasslands and high mesas. Its natural habitat is open grassland, but will move to wherever food is available. It can be seen here in Pueblo West surviving in the prairie habitat.
Diet:
It has a varied diet and seems able to exist on whatever the area offers in the way of food. The Coyote eats meat and fish, either fresh or spoiled, and at times it eats fruits and vegetable matter and has even been known to raid melon patches. Food habit studies reveal that its principle diet is composed of mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants.
Interesting Facts:
Only 5-20% of Coyote pups survive their first year. The Coyote can run at almost 40 mph. Coyotes can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves. A dog-coyote mix is called a "coydog." The Coyote is more likely afraid of you than vice-versa. Coyotes maintain their territory by marking it with urine. They have a lifespan of 15 years in the wild.
