Coyote Facts
The coyote is a wild canine native to North America, smaller than the gray wolf, with a howl that shifts quickly in tone and pitch.
- Class
- Mammal
- Scientific name
- Canis latrans
- Conservation status
- Least concern (IUCN)
About the coyote
People also call the coyote the brush wolf, prairie wolf or American jackal. It fills roughly the same role in North America that the golden jackal does in Eurasia, though coyotes are usually bigger. Males average 8 to 20 kg (18 to 44 lb) and females 7 to 18 kg (15 to 40 lb). The fur is mostly light gray and red mixed with black and white, varying by region.
Coyotes adapt well to places changed by people, and many cities now have their own urban coyotes. Some live in family units, others in loose packs of unrelated animals. They mostly eat meat, from deer, rabbits and rodents to birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, with the occasional fruit or vegetable. People are their biggest threat, with gray wolves and cougars next.
Did you know?
- Coyotes were first sighted in eastern Panama in 2013.
- Coyote crosses with red wolves and eastern wolves are known as coywolves.
- There are 19 recognized coyote subspecies.
Questions about the coyote
What do coyotes eat?
Mainly meat such as deer, rabbits, hares, rodents and birds, plus fish, reptiles and occasionally fruits and vegetables.
Are coyotes endangered?
No. They are listed as least concern because they are widespread and abundant across North America.
Sources
- Wikidata Q44299, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Coyote, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.