Discover the truth about coyotes—what they eat, where they live, how they differ from wolves and foxes, and how to safely coexist with them.
Coyotes are clever, resilient, and widely misunderstood. These wild canines have adapted to nearly every corner of North America—but with human sprawl encroaching on their habitats, many people have questions (and concerns) about who they are and how to live safely alongside them.
Let’s bust myths and explore the real story with these 20 facts about coyotes:
1. There’s Only One Species of Coyote
The coyote’s scientific name is Canis latrans, and it’s the only species of its kind. However, there are at least 19 recognized subspecies, each adapted to different climates and regions across North and Central America. They are also known by several other names, including brush wolves, prairie wolves, little wolf, and American jackals.
Bonus fact: Their common name, coyote, is derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word coyotl!
2. Coyotes Are Smaller Than Wolves, Bigger Than Foxes
If you’re trying to figure out the difference between a coyote vs. fox or coyote vs. wolf, size is your first clue. Coyotes are mid-sized—about two feet tall and approximately three and a half to four feet long—larger than a fox, but smaller and more slender than a wolf. Coyotes typically weigh between 20 and 50 pounds, so about the size of a medium dog (think border collie size).
3. Coyotes Live Across North and Central America
From deserts to cities, coyotes live in forests, grasslands, mountains, and even busy urban neighborhoods (like New York City!). Their adaptability is unmatched in the wild. The largest coyotes tend to live in the northeastern United States and Canada, and there is considerable local variation in both size and color of coyotes.
4. Coyotes Look a Lot Like Dogs—But They’re Wild
A coyote typically has gray-brown fur, a long bushy tail, narrow face, and tall pointed ears. They often get mistaken for German Shepherd mixes, but they are fully wild animals—not stray dogs.
5. Coyotes Are Not Safe to Keep as Companion Animals
A coyote companion might sound interesting to some, but it’s a bad idea for many reasons. Coyotes are wild animals who do not belong in homes or captivity. They need space, and keeping one is often illegal and dangerous.
6. Coyotes Hunt Alone or in Small Family Groups
Do coyotes hunt in packs? Sometimes, but not like wolves. Coyotes are mostly solitary hunters and can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour, though they’ll work together during pup-raising season or to catch larger prey. A solitary coyote is able to prey on animals as large as white-tailed deer, particularly in the northern parts of their range during the winter season. However, they are also known to work with other species to hunt sometimes!
7. Coyotes Are Monogamous (And Mate for Life)
Coyotes form strong bonds with mates throughout the breeding season (January through March) and are known to mate for life. A pack of coyotes generally is a family, consisting of a breeding pair and their pups from the current year. However, these family units can also include older coyotes from previous litters.
8. Coyotes Are Mostly Nocturnal
Yes, coyotes are nocturnal—but they can also be active at dawn, dusk, or even during the day, especially in areas where they feel safe or are searching for food.
9. Coyotes Are Omnivores With a Varied Diet
What do coyotes eat? Just about anything, as they’re opportunistic scavengers. Their diet includes small mammals (squirrels, rabbits, and mice), fruits, insects, carrion, and sometimes garbage or dog/cat food if it’s left outside.
10. Coyotes Have Been Known to Eat Outdoor Cats
While it’s difficult to say how common this is, coyotes will prey on companion animals if given the chance, especially in areas where their natural prey is scarce. This is also not a reason to demonize coyotes—they’re simply trying to survive in a world we changed to suit humans. That’s why World Animal Protection US recommends keeping cats indoors, where they’re safer from wildlife and traffic.
11. Coyotes Sleep in Quiet, Hidden Spots
Where do coyotes sleep? They don’t build permanent dens unless raising pups (and they usually take over abandoned badger burrows when they can). Instead, they rest in tall grass, brush, under fallen trees, or other hidden areas during the day.
12. Coyotes Are Highly Intelligent and Adaptable
From figuring out how to cross busy roads to finding food in urban environments, coyotes are incredibly smart. This adaptability is part of what has made them so successful in modern landscapes.
13. Coyotes Avoid People When They Can
Are coyotes dangerous? Generally, no. Coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare. They’re naturally shy and will avoid humans if not habituated (fed or encouraged to approach).
14. Coyotes Help Control Small Mammal Populations
By eating mice, rats, and other small animals, coyotes play a crucial ecological role, especially in keeping urban rat and mice populations in check.
15. Coyotes Are Often Killed to Protect Factory Farms
Thousands of coyotes are killed each year by USDA Wildlife Services for animal agriculture operations, especially factory farms.
16. Coyotes Are Also Killed for Their Fur
Coyotes are trapped and killed for their pelts, which are used in clothing like fur-lined jackets. World Animal Protection US opposes the fur trade and advocates for ending this cruelty.
17. Coyotes Use Yips, Howls, and Barks to Communicate
Their vocalizations can sound eerie, but coyotes use howls and high-pitched yips to communicate with family, mark territory, or warn off intruders.
18. Coyotes Are Wild Relatives of Dogs
Are coyotes dogs? Not quite. Coyotes are canids, meaning they’re in the same family as dogs, wolves, and foxes, but they’re wild, and domestic dogs are thousands of years removed from their wild roots.
19. Coydogs Are Real—But Breeding Them Isn’t Ethical
A coydog is a coyote-dog hybrid. While rare in the wild, some breeders intentionally create them—which is irresponsible. These animals have complex needs and often don’t thrive in homes. Wild traits don’t belong in companion animals, and at World Animal Protection US, we strongly oppose the intentional breeding of coydogs.
Coywolves are a canid hybrid descended from coyotes and wolves, usually known as the eastern coyote (not to be confused with the eastern wolf). Coywolves are smaller than wolves, but have the same adaptability as coyotes—with a genetic makeup of about 60 percent coyote, 30 percent wolf, and 10 percent dog (yes, domestic dogs).
20. What Species Eats Coyotes?
Coyotes have few natural predators, but they’re sometimes hunted by wolves, mountain lions, bears, and birds of prey (when young). Sadly, their biggest threat is humans—through habitat destruction, trapping, poisoning, and road collisions.
What to Do If You See a Coyote
Stay calm. Don’t run. If the coyote seems too close, make yourself large, make noise, and gently encourage them to move away. Never feed them, and always secure garbage and dog/cat food to avoid drawing them in.
Coyotes are resilient, intelligent, and vital to the ecosystems they call home. They’re not villains—they’re survivors. With respect, awareness, and simple precautions, we can coexist with them safely and compassionately.
At World Animal Protection US, we believe all wild animals deserve a life free from fear, exploitation, and suffering—including the ever-resourceful coyote.
Want to help protect coyotes? Join World Animal Protection’s FREE online community, Animal Champions, and take action to protect wild animals in your neighborhoods!