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Coyote

Canis latrans

Description:

The coyote appears often in the tales and traditions of Native Americans—usually as a very savvy and clever beast. These adaptable animals will eat almost anything. They hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer. They also happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and carrion. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets, many ranchers and farmers regard them as destructive pests. Coyotes are formidable in the field where they enjoy keen vision and a strong sense of smell. They can run up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour. In the fall and winter, they form packs for more effective hunting. Coyotes form strong family groups. In spring, females den and give birth to litters of three to twelve pups. Both parents feed and protect their young and their territory. The pups are able to hunt on their own by the following fall. Coyotes are smaller than wolves and are sometimes called prairie wolves or brush wolves. They communicate with a distinctive call, which at night often develops into a raucous canine chorus.

Habitat:

Modern coyotes have displayed their cleverness by adapting to the changing American landscape. These members of the dog family once lived primarily in open prairies and deserts, but now roam the continent's forests and mountains. They have even colonized cities like Los Angeles, and are now found over most of North America. Coyote populations are likely at an all-time high.

Notes:

This guy came outta nowheres and kept comin back around to check me out. unfortunate high i.s.o. exposure but its cool :)

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13 Comments

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

haha thanks Scott. I take it you like coyotes?

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

:)

EmilyMarino
EmilyMarino 11 years ago

Love this!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

thank you

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

heya jen, it says the site doesnt exist.

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

yeah it's definitely a great place to be :) i hear sonoma state has some wild Great Horned Owls on campus.

Jen.J
Jen.J 11 years ago

I love Bodega Bay! I went to school at Sonoma so that area was one of my favorite escapes. With such a great landscape, it must have been amazing for you to catch that series. Such great camouflage, too! If you get a chance, would you mind adding this series to the Northern CA Flora and Fauna mission (http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1239... I'd love to have this series, and any other of your amazing photos, represented there, too. =)

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

Jen i saw him at bodega head, bodega bay very near the very top point. and thanks so much guys! I feel really blessed for that opportunity :)

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

very nice series Joshua

Jen.J
Jen.J 11 years ago

Absolutely amazing photos!! Where did you see it? I tried to look at the map but on my phone the pin shows up in the ocean

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

thanks so much alice :)

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 11 years ago

Photos 1,2 and 5 are really my favorites, but the whole series is well worth looking at!

Leighannimal
Leighannimal 11 years ago

He looks like he's having fun!

Josh Asel
Spotted by
Josh Asel

California, USA

Spotted on Aug 18, 2012
Submitted on Aug 18, 2012

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