The Coyote: Canis latrans.
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 The barking dog.
Adaptable doesn't begin to describe the coyote. This animal's nothing short of remarkable.
The coyote roams throughout North and Central America, from Canada to Costa Rica. More than a mere survivor, he thrives, no matter what obstacles are put in his way.
He's often described as clever, resourceful and sly — smart, swift and determined — but just as often through clenched teeth. For many consider the coyote a threat. But that view is hotly disputed by many who feel the coyote has mastered peaceful coexistence with man.
His scientific name, canis latrans, means barking dog. And while the bond between Lassie and the coyote may seem remote, it's nonetheless true they're relatives.
The coyote also holds a time-honored position in Native American folklore, where he's known as Little Wolf. His name actually derives from the Aztec word coyotl. Depending on the legend, he's everything from consummate trickster to thief, outlaw and creator of the universe.
But he's always Cunning, with a capital C.
A peerless hunter.
From mountain ranges to grassy plains and the desert, the coyote thrives. His stamina and intelligence make him an almost-invincible hunter. Generally nocturnal, he prefers to avoid daylight. But if he perceives no danger, he's equally happy to hunt by day. An opportunistic predator, he's a true omnivore, as content with rodents, lizards or rabbits as he is with carrion, insects or berries.
In the desert, the coyote's most active when it's cooler, at twilight or dawn. In temperate climates, barring threats, he's happy to forage anytime. And in winter when food becomes scarce, hunger can often drive a 24-hour quest.
In the hunt, coyotes display unexpected cunning. They usually hunt in groups, working together to trap their prey. One coyote may dig into a rodent burrow as two or three others pounce on emerging prey. Or two will chase a deer to a spot where three or four others lie in ambush.
Built for speed and distance.
In appearance, the coyote most resembles a German Shepherd, except for the yellow eyes and low-hanging tail. In southern latitudes such as Central America, coyotes weigh about 25 pounds. In the northern ranges, they can grow to 75 pounds. Colors vary by geography. But all coyotes are built for speed, distance and survival. They can lope for hours without tiring. Often, they simply exhaust their prey.
A haunting howl.
It's much more common to hear a coyote than to see it. They're too smart to be seen. The coyote's resonant, evocative voice has also earned him the name Song Dog. It's a howl that hangs in the air, seeming to come from one place when the coyote's actually in another. There are two howling seasons, winter and fall. Winter's howls are mating calls. The fall brings calls to new pups, who reply in unison.
The ultimate survivor.
Coyote behavior is misunderstood because coyotes defy generalization. They show remarkable individuality. Though they mate for life, some live alone while others live with their mates. And some choose extended families that resemble wolf packs. If any generalization fits, it's adaptable predator.
The coyote epitomizes Darwinian: he eats everything and can live anywhere. In 1985, a pair was spotted in New York's Central Park. Another was seen eating watermelon in Arkansas. His only natural predators, wolves and mountain lions, are close to extinction. And hundreds of millions of dollars later, man's attempt to limit his presence has simply failed. In fact, where he's been most hunted, the coyote's population has often grown faster. He begins to mate more often and the litters grow larger, from an average of six pups to almost twelve.
Urban coyotes.
North American sprawl has destroyed many of the coyote's natural habitats. People now speak of the coyote's urbanization. He can be seen chasing aircraft on airport runways, hanging about office parks, housing subdivisions and shopping malls. And his most likely predators have become cars, trucks and gunshots. But, still resilient in the face of a threat, he can easily wander 25 miles in 24 hours.
He continues to thrive.
Many of us have gotten our idea of a coyote from Wile E. Coyote, the creature repeatedly blown to bits by a stick of Acme dynamite. But nothing could be farther from real life. The coyote remains one of the world's most successful mammals. He's been shot at, poisoned, trapped and otherwise besieged, but his cunning and intelligence have allowed him to thrive.
We celebrate this indomitable spirit.
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