About the Coyote
Coyotes (Canis latrans) belong to the family Canidae, which also includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. The coyote is native to North America and is found right from the northern part of Canada to Central America. It has a huge population and so is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.
They resemble wolves in appearance but can be distinguished by the length of the ears and shape of the muzzle. Coyotes have longer ears, a deep muzzle, thin legs, and are smaller than wolves.
Coyotes can also be distinguished from foxes. Foxes are small and have a typical orange-golden color. But coyotes are totally different and are observed in a variety of coat colors.
Types of Coyotes
Coyotes are distinguished into 4 types based on their distribution, and have very few physical differences to tell them apart. Their coat colors come in mixtures of gray, white, black, and brown. The main point of difference is their regional distribution. Let’s learn more about these types.
Central U.S. Coyotes
Central U.S. Coyote
Central U.S. coyotes include four subspecies found in the central states of North America. Their coat colors range from pale to dark, and they vary in ear and skull size.
Central U.S. Subspecies
4 subspeciesFound across the central plains and southwest of North America.
- Plains coyote , central Canada, Alberta, Oklahoma, Texas; largest of the four; pale coat
- Texas Plains coyote , western Texas, eastern New Mexico; bright thick fur; small ears
- Mearns’ coyote , Arizona, Chihuahua, New Mexico, northern Mexico; small skull and teeth; bright fur around feet
- Lower Rio Grande coyote , southern Texas, northern Tamaulipas; dark fur; black-tipped belly hair
Eastern Coyotes
Eastern Coyotes
Eastern coyotes include only two subspecies found in the eastern part of North America. They tend to be larger than their western cousins and have darker coats.
Eastern Subspecies
2 subspeciesLarger-bodied coyotes of the eastern woodlands and prairies.
- Northeastern coyote , Saskatchewan, Ontario, Indiana, Missouri; dark coat; broad skull and large teeth
- Southeastern coyote , Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas; quite large; reddish tinge possible; short ears but long muzzle
Western Coyotes
Western Coyotes
Western coyotes include six subspecies found in the western part of North America, ranging from the Pacific coast to the mountain ranges and down into Baja California.
Western Subspecies
6 subspeciesThe most diverse group, spanning from Alaska to Baja California.
- Northern coyote , central Canada to Alaska; medium-sized; cinnamon-colored fur
- Mountain coyote , Washington, Canada, southern Alaska; large tail and long ears
- Northwest coast coyote , coastal Oregon and Washington; small; dark rufous-tinged fur
- California valley coyote , Sierra Nevada; small and dark; large ears but smaller teeth and skull
- San Pedro Martír coyote , northern Baja California, southwest California; small; reddish fur; broad skull
- Peninsula coyote , Baja California; dark reddish fur; many black-tipped hairs on belly
Test Your Coyote Knowledge!
5 quick questions about coyotes and their subspecies. How many can you get right?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of coyotes are there?
Coyotes are grouped into 4 main types based on their geographic distribution: Central U.S. coyotes (4 subspecies), Eastern coyotes (2 subspecies), Western coyotes (6 subspecies), and Central American coyotes (7 subspecies), for a total of 19 subspecies.
What is the scientific name of the coyote?
The coyote's scientific name is Canis latrans. It belongs to the family Canidae, which also includes dogs, wolves, and foxes.
Are coyotes endangered?
No. Coyotes have a huge population and are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. They range from northern Canada all the way to Central America.
Central American Coyotes
Central American Coyotes
It is believed that the presence of coyotes in Central America is fairly recent. This type includes the seven subspecies found mainly in Central America and Mexico.
Central American Subspecies
7 subspeciesThe southernmost coyotes, spreading through Mexico and Central America.
- Tiburón Island coyote , Tiburón Island; pale; strong teeth; large skull and long ears
- Durango coyote , Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa; possibly reddish coat; large subspecies
- Mexican coyote , Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz; reddish coat; short ears; large teeth and broad muzzle
- Colima coyote , Jalisco, Guerrero, coastal Mexico; dark coat; black markings on legs
- Belize coyote , San Vicente, Chiapas, Guatemala and Mexico
- Honduras coyote , north of Tegucigalpa; small; coarse rufous coat; thin fur
- Salvador coyote , Cerro Mogote and southern Panama
Coyote Behavior and Family Life
Coyotes live mainly in nuclear families (one female at least). Though they are known to live in large groups as well and hunt huge prey in packs. They are monogamous in nature.
The female chooses a male; they bond for 2–3 months and then start marking their territory. The male hunts and gets food for the female during the gestation period of around 63 days. The female gives birth to an average of six pups. The pups are totally dependent on their parents in the early stages.
Coyotes have only a few predators, which include humans, cougars, and wolves. This helps to control the over-population in some areas, but coyotes are quite high in numbers so it hardly affects their population. Compared to other members of the Canidae family like wolves and foxes, coyotes are highly adaptable and continue to thrive across two continents.
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