Northeastern coyote facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northeastern coyote
C. l. thamnos in Union Station, Chicago
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Canidae
Genus:	Canis
Species:	C. latrans
Subspecies:	C. l. thamnos
Trinomial name
Canis latrans thamnos Jackson, 1949

The northeastern coyote (Canis latrans thamnos) is a subspecies of coyote found in Northeastern North America. It's not exactly the same as the coyotes you might find out west. Northeastern coyotes are a mix of coyote, wolf, and dog! This happened because, long ago, coyotes from the Great Plains started moving east. As they moved, they sometimes had babies with wolves, and even domestic dogs. This mix of genes has made them a bit different from their western cousins. Some people even call them "coywolves" because of their mixed ancestry.

The subspecies was first described by Hartley H. T. Jackson in 1949.

What do they look like?

These coyotes have thick fur that helps them stay warm in the winter. Their fur can be different colors, from silvery-gray to brownish-red. They have long legs, a pointy nose, and a bushy tail with a black tip. When they run, they usually hold their tail pointing down, unlike wolves and dogs, who hold their tails up.

Northeastern coyotes are similar to C. l. latrans, or larger, but darker in color, and have a broader skull.

How big do they get?

Northeastern coyotes are bigger than western coyotes but smaller than wolves. They usually weigh between 30 and 50 pounds (13.6 to 22.7 kilograms). They are about 48 to 60 inches (122 to 152 centimeters) long, which includes their tail. That's about the size of a small German Shepherd dog!

Distribution

native to north-central Saskatchewan, Manitoba (except the extreme southwestern corner), southern Ontario, and extreme southern Quebec. Its population in the United States occurs along the eastern edge of North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri (north of the Missouri River), Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois (except the extreme southern portion), and northern Indiana. However, due to increased clearing of land for agriculture, the northeastern coyote has expanded its range throughout the entire state of Indiana.

Habitat

Northeastern coyotes live in:

• Forests
• Shrubby fields
• Marshy areas
• Cities and suburbs

They are very good at adapting to different places, which is why they are so common. They can even be found in big cities like New York City!

Where did they come from?

Coyotes weren't always in the northeastern United States. They used to live mainly in the Great Plains region. But as humans started cutting down forests and getting rid of wolves (which are natural enemies of coyotes), the coyotes started to move east.

Coyotes first arrived in the Northeast in the early 1900s. By the 1980s, they were living all over the area. As they moved east, they started to mix with wolves and dogs, which made them bigger and stronger. This helped them to survive in their new environment.

What do they eat?

Coyotes are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plants. They are also opportunistic, meaning they will eat whatever is easiest to find. Their diet includes:

• Small animals like mice, rabbits, and squirrels
• Larger animals like deer (especially young deer)
• Birds
• Snakes
• Fish
• Berries and fruits
• Insects

Sometimes even garbage or pet food if they can find it!

Behavior

Coyotes are social animals, and they often live in families. They usually mate for life, which means they stay with the same partner for many years.

Coyote families usually include the parents and their pups (baby coyotes) from the current year. Sometimes, older brothers and sisters from previous years will stick around to help take care of the new pups.

Communication

Coyotes are very vocal. They use different sounds to communicate with each other, including howls, barks, yips, and growls. They howl to let others know where they are, warn of danger, or call their family members together.

Hunting

Coyotes usually hunt alone or in pairs. But sometimes, they will hunt in packs, especially when they are trying to catch larger animals like deer.

Territory

Coyotes are territorial, and they will defend their home range from other coyotes. They mark their territory by leaving their scent (pee and poop) in certain spots.

How do they raise their young?

Coyote pups are usually born in April or May. The mother coyote finds a safe place to make a den, like a hole in the ground, a brush pile, or under a fallen tree.

A litter of pups usually has 4 to 7 babies. The pups are born blind and helpless, and they need their parents to take care of them.

The pups start to eat solid food when they are about 5 to 7 weeks old. They are fully grown by the time they are 9 months old. Both parents help to feed and protect the pups. The pups learn how to hunt and survive by watching their parents.

When the pups are about a year old, they will usually leave their parents' territory to find their own place to live.

Lifespan

Coyotes in the wild usually live for about 6 to 8 years. But some coyotes can live much longer, especially if they are taken care of in captivity (like in a zoo). Some coyotes in captivity have lived for over 10 years!

Are they dangerous?

Coyotes are usually shy and avoid people. But sometimes, they can cause problems if they get too used to humans.

Coyotes have been known to attack small pets, like cats and small dogs. So, it's important to keep your pets safe by keeping them indoors or on a leash.

Why are they important?

Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem. They help to control the populations of rodents and other small animals. They also help to keep the environment clean by eating dead animals (carrion).

Fun Facts about Northeastern coyotes

• They can run up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour)!
• They are excellent swimmers.
• Coyotes are very intelligent and can learn quickly.
• They have a great sense of smell.
• Coyotes are sometimes called "song dogs" because of their howls and yips.