Saturday, September 04, 2010
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Coyotes can be found all across the stark prairies of Wyoming. Coyotes, cousins of wolves, have been poisoned and hunted with few limitations ever since Europeans settled the West. Ranchers consider them “varmints” because they sometimes hunt livestock, especially sheep.
Some environmentalists insist that coyotes, by hunting for rodents, add enough to the balance of prairie species that the loss of a few sheep is tolerable. Others say coyotes deserve respect as symbols of the freedom, independence and resilience of the West.
The coyote is a carnivorous animal that belongs to the dog family. This is called the Canidae of the order Carnivora. Gray wolves are larger than coyotes but their size does overlap with domestic dogs and red wolves. Their ears look longer than a wolf’s and their nose pad is narrower. Nineteen breeds are documented. These differ somewhat in color and size. Coyotes tend to be gray. Howling is the way they communicate. They have a very good sense of smell.
In the beginning, coyotes occupied grasslands and open country in the southwest parts of the United States and Mexico. They played a big part in Aztec art and folklore. Their geographic territory has grown recently, and now they can be found in various habitats from northern Alaska to central America and all over the United States and much of Canada.
Their diet is variable and they tend to eat whatever is available. This can include birds, rabbits, rodents, insects, and fruit. In the winter they usually consume carrion. Females mate from January to March and they usually have around six pups. The “yip, yip, ya-oooh” of a pack of coyote pups is a sound you won’t forget.These animals are some of the most interesting and visually appealing of any around. They can be seen in the mountains and near rivers and lakes. They provide plenty of wonderful photography opportunities, if you see them before they see you of course! Additional information can be found HERE.
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