Species Spotlight: Coyote
Looks like: The coyote is as big as a medium-sized dog but with a pointier nose and bushier tail. They are gray or reddish with rust-colored legs and a whitish belly. They can be more than 3 feet long with a 16 inch tail and weigh as much as 50 pounds.
Lives in: Fields, open woodlands, and talus. Coyotes make dens by digging in the ground.
Niche: Coyotes will eat almost anything, including rabbits, squirrels, voles, and other rodents. They are opportunistic eaters and will also eat insects, snakes, fruit and carrion. They are natural prey of cougars and wolves, but the loss of these animals in the Shawangunk region means coyotes have no predators here.
Threats: Rabies, mange, viruses, and loss of habitat due to development. In New York (and many other states), coyotes are legally trapped and hunted.
Frequency: Common
Reproduction: Mating occurs in late January or early February. Litters with up to 10 pups are born in April or May.
Fun facts: Coyotes are often featured in the stories of Native Americans as a crafty and intelligent hero.
The coyote today shows its cleverness in its adaptability, allowing it to live in a variety of habitats, even cities!
