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Coyote
The coyote (Canis latrans, meaning "barking dog") also prairie wolf) is a member of the Canidae (dog) family and a relative of the domestic dog. Coyotes are native to North America and are only found from Canada south to Costa Rica. European explorers first encountered these canines during their travels in the American Southwest. They may occasionally assemble in small packs, but naturally hunt alone. Coyotes live an average of about 6 to 10 years. The word "coyote" was borrowed from Mexican Spanish, which itself borrowed the term from the Nauhatl (Aztec) word cóyotl (IPA /ˈkɔ.jɔtɬ/) which may have meant "singing dog".Despite being extensively hunted, the coyote is one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that has enlarged its territory since human encroachment began (another is the racoon). Coyotes have moved into most of the areas of North America formerly occupied by wolves, and the "dog" observed foraging in a suburban trashcan may in fact be a coyote.
Anatomy
The coyote stands less than 0.6 meters (2 feet) tall and varies in color from white-gray to tan with sometimes a reddish tint to its coat. A coyote's ears and nose appear long and pointed, especially in relation to the size of its head. It weighs between 9 and 22 kg (20 - 50 lb), averaging 14 kg (31 lb). The coyote can be identified by its thick bushy tail, which it often holds low to the ground. It can be distinguished from its much larger relative, the Gray Wolf, by its overall slight appearance compared to the massive size and stockiness of the bigger canid, which typically weighs 34 to 57 kg (74 to 125 lb). The coyote is an extremely lean animal and may appear underfed even if healthy.
The northeast coyote and the Cape Cod coyote are thought to be a 50% mix with the Red Wolf. Coyotes can also hybridize and produce fertile offspring with Gray Wolves and domestic dogs. However, practical constraints such as the timing of estrus cycles and the need for both parents to care for the pups limit such crosses in the wild. Hybrids between coyotes and domestic dogs are known as "Coydogs"
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Tagasaki |
Latest page update: made by Tagasaki
, Nov 27 2006, 10:39 AM EST
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