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15 Fun Facts about Coyotes

Often mistaken for dogs or wolves, coyotes are an interesting species of the canine family, originally found in North America. They can be distinguished from their domesticated relatives by their tail, which is bushier and often held downward. They are also smaller in size compared to wolves. The coyote population has continually expanded over the years, spreading out to new territories all over Central America. There are 19 subspecies and interaction with other species such as wolves has produced hybrids. Coyotes are fascinating animals, endowed with incredible night vision, great sense of hearing, adaptability to city life, ability to control their litter size and communicate in 11 different vocalizations, among other awesome features. Here are 15 fun facts about coyotes.

Read more on: 25 Best Facts about North America.

1. The name Coyote has Aztec origins

Image by Veronika Andrews-

Coyotyl is the name given to the animal in Nahuatl, the native language of the Aztecs in Mexico. It was then interpreted by the Spaniards as the coyote. This has been recognized as their name in English too, but coyotes have been christened other names such as prairie wolves, American jackals, and brush wolves. Same animal at the end of the day.

2. They often feature in Native American Folklore

For those around the California region, the coyote is viewed as a creator deity. They are also seen as tricksters. The Teotihuacan people (an ancient city in Mexico), warriors especially, associated coyotes with military prowess. They are believed to have dressed up as coyotes for rituals before going to war. The Aztecs also believed this, and one of their gods was symbolized by the head of a coyote. The name of the god is Huehuehcoyotl, meaning Old Coyote.

3. The Eastern Coyote is part-wolf

Image by ForestWander-

The Eastern Coyote is sometimes referred to as coywolf. It has more wolf-like features than the western coyote. It is also larger in size. Studies have shown that as the coyote expanded to the east, their interactions with eastern wolves birthed hybrids.

Have a look at 15 Great Facts about Wolves.

4. They’re not picky eaters

Although their primary diet is meat, coyotes will eat grass or fruit as an alternative, especially in spring. They hunt small animals such as rabbits, but they are also capable of killing bigger prey like deer. Fish, birds, and rodents are food for coyotes too. In short, coyotes will eat what’s available, and perhaps that’s why they have survived for so long. Whether living in the city or rural areas, a coyote will not starve unless there’s nothing edible around.

5. Coyotes are monogamous

In other words, they (technically) mate for life, meaning that once a coyote finds their preferred mate for the season, they’re in it till death do them part, or at least for an entire year. They have a strong family structure. A study conducted in 2012, involving 18 litters of coyotes showed that coyotes stick to one mate even where other potential mates are in sight. A female coyote may leave the area immediately when their mate dies or when the pups are independent.

6. They raise their pups together

Coyote pups by G’pa Bill.

If the offspring is not raised by a coyote couple, it will be raised within a pack. A group of pups is referred to as a litter. Litters will be made up of several pups, from one to as many as 19. However, that number will largely be determined by the availability of food. Usually, pups will hang around their parents for the initial six to nine months.

7. They can run at a speed of 43 miles per hour

Although their walking speed matches that of a normal dog, coyotes can attain speeds of 35 to 43 miles per hour in a hunt or when fleeing from danger. They’re pretty fast and are keen to make the least noise by running or walking on their tiptoes.

8. They have a wide vocal range

Image by Nichole-

Coyotes can make eleven different noises, making them have the widest vocal range in North America. These different vocalizations include woofing, barking, huffing, growling, yelping, and bark-howling.  Using these, they can communicate with their counterparts, within their family or parks, and with animals outside their park.

See the 10 Cool Facts about Bears.

9. City life is just as good

Coyotes are not only found in the rural or wild, they are now common around human settlements in cities and the suburbs. According to a 2016 study, coyotes were found in almost every single State of America. They adapt well to city life, and such coyotes will often act differently compared to coyotes in rural areas. They will find it easier to eat human-made foods and are less shy.

10. They are most active at dusk and dawn

Image by Ray Shrewsberry-

Daytime and late nighttime are for rest, while early sunrise and late sunset are for hunting and everything else for coyotes. Prey such as deer is mostly active during the latter two, so it makes sense that coyotes will ensure they’re also awake and around for potential hunts.

11. Coyotes rarely attack humans

A coyote attack is very rare, especially in rural areas, where most of the coyote population is shy and hardly aggressive with humans. It is on very rare occasions such as when a human confronts it when it’s attacking prey. Coyotes are also common in cities, and they interact with humans quite regularly, often without anybody getting hurt.

12. Coyotes are incredible pest control

Since coyotes are predators of rodents and rabbits, it makes them one of the few species that serve as pest control. Although coyotes aren’t particularly buddies with ranchers since they also hunt other animals, where livestock is well guarded, the rest of the unwanted animal populations in farms such as mice, groundhogs, and prairie dogs will be kept at bay by coyotes.

30 Awesome Facts about Dogs.

13. They have an incredible sense of hearing

Image by Jacob W. Frank-

Coyotes can hear up to almost a quarter mile away. Their wide-shaped ears are designed to enable them to catch the faintest sound around. In winter, coyotes can hear movement beneath 7 inches of snow. They also have a really good sense of smell, which helps them avoid predators like cougars. They see quite well at night too. These abilities help them identify prey, family members, and potential danger.

14. Coyotes remain active in winter

Image by Sindi Short-

Most animals in the wild will often hibernate when winter hits, but for coyotes, life goes on just as normally as in summer. This is because their winter coats keep them warm and cozy in the cold.  They will thus hunt actively in winter, and summer will find them still in action.

15. Coyotes don’t dig their caves

Well, technically speaking, they use other animals’ dens. Dens that have been abandoned or left to disuse. Coyotes spot holes between rocks, burrow in the soil, and find abandoned dwellings. They then expand them instead of entirely digging up their own. Perhaps they just like to save time and energy for hunting but who knows?