| Coyotes are in the canine family and are related to wolves and domestic dogs. Their scientific name is Canis latrans, which means “barking dog.” Here is some information about them.
They are carnivores, meaning they are meat eaters. They are also opportunistic feeders and their diets can consist of a considerable amount of vegetable matter such as seeds, berries, fruits and grasses.
In Nevada, they are classified as “unprotected,” meaning they are not protected by state law or regulation. They may be harvested at any time by hunting or trapping.
Coyotes that live in the desert are small, with adults weighing about 20 pounds, versus 40 to 45 pounds elsewhere. Their fur is shorter and thinner as this enables them to dissipate heat. They are lighter colored than coyotes elsewhere and this allows them to absorb less heat and to blend into the desert landscape.
They are real track stars as they can lope at 25 to 30 miles per hour and can sprint to 40 miles per hour. They can travel well over 100 miles in a single night.
Coyotes mate for life and have family territories. Pups sometimes stay with their parents for more than a year. After leaving their parents, coyotes may travel several hundred miles to find a territory of their own.
Communication helps coyotes to maintain their social structure. The most distinctive of their calls is barking and yelping followed by a long howl that is followed by short, sharp yaps. This broadcasts their location to other members of their group.
Around the year1915, extensive efforts were made in Nevada at coyote control. This came about after rabies were found in coyote populations. |