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Coyote

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Canis latrans
Coyote

Range

Coyote are found all across North America.

Habitat

They are found in all habitats from woodlands and fields to deserts.

Body Traits

Their fur is frosty gray to brown with a light-colored belly. They have a bushy tail with a black tip. They walk and run with their tail hung down. They weigh from 20-50 pounds.

Habits

They are more active at night (nocturnal). They live in dens. Coyotes are survivors. They adapt better than wolves to living near humans. They can run up to 40 mph. They can jump 8-foot tall fences.

Diet

They eat what they can find. They are scavengers. They also hunt small mammals and even deer.

Predators

Predators are bears and wolves, though there are much fewer of those now, so they pose little threat to the coyote population.

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Reproduction

Females are pregnant for about 60 days (gestation) and can have more than 12 pups in one litter, though usually they have 6.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

They live up to 15 years in the wild. They are not threatened.

Coyote

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: Canis latrans

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