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Coyote

Canis latrans

Description:

also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada. It occurs as far north as Alaska and all but the northernmost portions of Canada.[3] Currently, 19 subspecies are recognized, with 16 in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and three in Central America.[4] Unlike the related gray wolf, which is Eurasian in origin, evolutionary theory suggests the coyote evolved in North America during the Pleistocene epoch 1.81 million years ago (mya)[5] alongside the dire wolf.[6] Although not closely related, the coyote evolved separately to fill roughly the same ecological niche in the Americas that is filled in Eurasia and Africa by the similarly sized jackals. Unlike the wolf, the coyote's range has expanded in the wake of human civilization, and coyotes readily reproduce in metropolitan areas.[7][8]

Habitat:

This Coyote was coming down the road toward me, went into the brush to go around my car and came back onto the road after he passed me. I took the picture from the car window.

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LoisStacey
Spotted by
LoisStacey

Florida, USA

Spotted on Nov 15, 2010
Submitted on Sep 19, 2012

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Reference

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