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Plains coyote facts for kids

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Plains coyote
Canis latrans latrans Pennington County SD.jpg
C. l. latrans in Pennington County, South Dakota
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species:
Subspecies:
C. l. latrans
Trinomial name
Canis latrans latrans
Say, 1823

The Plains coyote (Canis latrans latrans), also known as the brush wolf, is a type of coyote. It lives in the open grasslands of North America. This coyote is known for being the largest kind of coyote. It has light-colored fur and strong teeth.

All About the Plains Coyote

The Plains coyote is a fascinating animal. It is a subspecies, which means it is a specific group within the larger coyote family. These animals are well-adapted to living in wide-open spaces.

Where Do Plains Coyotes Live?

Plains coyotes live in both Canada and the United States. In Canada, you can find them in the Canadian Prairies. This includes southeastern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and the very southwestern part of Manitoba.

In the United States, their home range is quite large. They live in states like South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. You can also find them in Colorado, especially east of the Rocky Mountains. They are present in the northeastern part of New Mexico and most of North Dakota. They also live in northwestern Oklahoma and the northern part of the Texas Panhandle.

What Do Plains Coyotes Look Like?

The Plains coyote is the biggest subspecies of coyote. They have fur that is usually pale or light in color. This helps them blend in with the dry grasses of the plains.

They also have large teeth. Their molars and carnassials are bigger than those of other coyote types. These strong teeth help them chew their food, which often includes small animals.

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