COYOTES
	Information extracted from Park Service information paper: YELL-465 COYOTE Canis latrans The "little wolf" was a common sight on the western prairies in earlier times, his nightly serenade ringing out from the summits of the buttes through which the lonely trails wound. In spite of the persecution by man,the coyote is just as common, even now, in many parts of his range and even in the more settled farming areas his intelligence and wily ways have enabled him to continue a precarious existence.

The coyotes of Yellowstone were originally blamed for serious wildlife losses until the results of careful research proved differently. This research has shown us that the chief food of the coyote consists of marmots, picket-pins, mice, rabbits and other small animals as well as carrion. Seldom are larger wild animals killed other than the young, the old, sick or crippled that are comparatively easy prey. It was customarily assumed that when coyotes were seen on a carcass that they were the cause of the death when actually many of the animals died from other causes before the coyotes found them.

The deer, elk and others of the larger animals, in good physical condition, are capable of killing the coyote and it is a frequent sight to see several of them chasing a coyote instead of being chased.

The coyote home is in some little cave or cavity among rocks or a burrow in the ground. The five to seven young are born in April and are well cared for by both parents. By August they are nearly full grown and are hunting in family groups. Come winter the young disperse to new range areas and have been known to travel many miles from their place of birth.

General Description: A rather small, slender animal resembling a shepherd dog in general appearance, with a fairly long and heavy coat, coarsely grizzled, buffy, grayish and black, almost yellowish in some subspecies, underparts lighter. Tail large and bushy. Males larger than females. Total length 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet; height at shoulder 16 to 18 inches and weight 35 to 45 pounds. In Yellowstone.large coyotes are frequently mistaken for the gray wolf which is rare. However, the wolf is a much larger, heavier, and more powerful animal, weighing from 80 to 100 or more pounds and is 5 or more feet in length.

Terms: Male- dog; female- bitch; young- pups.

Where Found: Throughout the park at practically all elevations. Most frequently seen in the open meadows in daytime or evening. Howls most often during the night. Often seen in the winter on the lower range lands, especially around or near the carcasses of animals which have died and become carrion.