Coyotes can be and are, very vocal. Their yipping
calls can be heard for long distances in the mountains and
on the plains. When several gather and start their cackle,
they can produce a very loud chorus. Coyotes are much more
dog-like than the wolf. They have shorter, more high-pitched
yaps than the deep howl of the wolf.
Coyotes are easily one of the most versatile
predators in the Rocky Mountains. While their primary diet
is small game such as mice, moles, ground squirrels and birds,
they will also eat carrion. They are also known for taking
on occasion, a domestic pet. In terms of adaptability, they
are very quick to take advantage of unique situations. While
they may be seen stalking the outskirts of a deer or elk herd,
they are rarely the predators of big game.
Coyotes tend to travel together in mated pairs.
There may be found in a small pack made up primarily of siblings
with one dominant pair leading the way. This dominant pair
is the breeding pair with the remainder of the pack assisting
in the raising of the pups. Coyotes mate between January and
April. Females digs the den in the spring, awaiting the arrival
of the pups in April or May. The gestation period of coyote
is 60-65 days. The average litter is six pups and on occasion,
as many as nine.
Coyotes for the most part are generally not
dangerous to humans. However, there have been instances where
people, in particular children, have been bitten. Always use
caution and never allow yourself to become close enough to
a coyote to be attacked. It is fairly easy to startle them
away simply by standing and making loud noises such as shouting.
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the Coyote of the Rocky Mountains
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