Located in Palm Desert and just 15 minutes from Palm Springs, The Living Desert's mission is desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. Click here to become a member. Campers learn about plants and animals, the environment (including our own desert) and what it's like to work at a zoo Quarters for Conservation. Choose a Conservation Project and help protect wild animals and plants around the planet! You can become an important part of The Living Desert's conservation efforts through our Adopt! Program.
    North American Animals     African Animals

Coyote

Canis latrans



Family:

Canidae, the dog family

Conservation Status:

Least Concern, IUCN; common

Range:

North and Central America

Habitat:

All terrestrial habitats.

This highly adaptable opportunistic omnivore seems to prefer rodents and jackrabbits, but will eat reptiles, birds, arthropods (scorpions, crickets) and plant material such as juniper seeds, screw beans, fan palm fruit and dates. A crepuscular and nocturnal hunter, they are valuable as rodent control. Their only predator is Man.

Coyotes are dog-like, sandy-colored, with erect ears.  They roam extensively throughout their territory, hunting, resting and sleeping wherever they are comfortable, living in a den only when raising pups.

Coyotes usually mate for life and breeding takes place between January and March. The gestation period is 63 days and one litter per year of 1-12 pups (average 4 to 5), is born and raised in a den or rock crevice. Pups are born blind, but furred, and will nurse for 5 to7 weeks.  They begin to leave den at 3 weeks, but it is 6 weeks before they really begin to run with their parents and they all abandon the den. If you see a group of 3-6 coyotes, it is most likely a mated pair and their young of the year, or perhaps a group of litter mates. Coyotes do not have large packs as some wolves do. Their potential lifespan in the wild is about 13 years and in captivity is 15-20 years. Coyotes communicate using scent and body language as well as vocalization.  They do not make good pets.