Coyote (Canis latrans)

A coyote glances back, in subtle lighting of a bright winter morning.

Facts: Nicknamed brush wolf, prairie wolf, or coy dog, they frequent most habitat types: brushy fields, farmland, and wetlands fringes are particularly valuable. They are found in both rural and suburban areas. Coyotes can dig their own dens but usually enlarge an abandoned woodchuck or fox burrow. The female prepares and maintains the dens.

The coyotes social unit consists of an adult pair and their young. They can be encountered singly, in pairs, or in groups of three or more. Coyotes do not form packs with members other then the adult pair and the young.

Opportunistic feeders, they eat primarily mice, white tailed deer, woodchucks, and rabbits. They will also feed on birds, insects, fruits and berries. Coyotes rarely threaten human safety but will go after cats and small dogs when unattended.