A cunning coyote with a bad temper. Prairie wolf, or coyote Coyote beast

In the section on the question How is a coyote different from a wolf? given by the author *Liz* XD the best answer is Wolf, grey Wolf, common wolf(lat. Canis lupus) - predatory mammal canine families. Together with the coyote (Canis latrans) and the jackal (Canis aureus), it forms a small genus of wolves (Canis). The wolf is the largest animal in its family: the length of its body (including the tail) can reach 160 cm, the height at the withers is up to 90 cm; body weight up to 62 kg.
By general view the wolf resembles a large, pointed-eared dog. Legs are high, strong; the paw is larger and more elongated than the dog's, the length of the track is about 15 cm, the width is 7 cm, the middle two fingers are extended forward, which makes it possible to distinguish the tracks of a wolf from those of a dog. The head is broad-browed, the muzzle is relatively wide, strongly elongated and framed on the sides by "whiskers".
The massive muzzle of the wolf distinguishes it well from the jackal and coyote, in which it is narrower and sharper. In addition, it is very expressive: scientists distinguish more than 10 facial expressions: anger, anger, humility, affection, fun, alertness, threat, calmness, fear. The fur of wolves is thick, rather long and consists of two layers, which sometimes makes the animal look larger than it actually is.
Koyo L9; t, meadow L9; th wolf (lat. Canis latrans) is a predatory mammal of the canine family. The name comes from the Aztec coyotl, "divine dog". The Latin name of the species means "barking dog"
In size, the coyote is noticeably inferior to the common wolf. Body length - 75-100 cm, tail - about 30 cm, shoulder height - 50 cm; weight - up to 21 kg. Like other wild dogs, the coyote has erect ears and a long fluffy tail.
The fur is longer than that of a wolf. The coloration is brown, marked with black and gray, on the belly - very light. The end of the tail is black.
Differences: related to different types, structure, appearance.
distribution coyote (distributed in the New World, from Alaska to Panama.) wolf wider distribution, lifestyle and nutrition, social culture and reproduction.
Wolf

Answer from Ira mak[guru]
coat size and color

Answer from Yovetlana Berezhnaya[guru]

Answer from Dmitry Aleksandrovich[newbie]
Coyotes are smaller than wolves. They are less picky in food than wolves, and, hunting for a wide variety of living creatures, they do not disdain carrion, and in autumn and summer they eat berries, fruits and nuts with pleasure.
Unlike wolves, coyotes are not aggressive and rarely fight each other.

The coyote is originally an inhabitant of the prairies and deserts of North America. Now distributed in all US states (except Hawaii), as well as in Western Canada and Central America. Body length 75-100 centimeters, tail - 30 centimeters, weight - up to 20 kilograms (Canadian and Alaskan populations), more often 10-13 kilograms. Outwardly similar to a wolf, it differs in smaller size, more graceful physique, relatively long muzzle. The fur is thicker than wolf, the main color is gray, spotted with black, very light on the belly. Often there are brown and fawn tones in the color, occasionally almost black individuals are found. Lives in pairs or family groups based on one breeding pair. Pregnancy - 60-65 days. There can be from 3 to 19 puppies in a litter, but usually 5-10. Both parents take care of the offspring. Puppies reach physiological maturity by the age of nine months. Life expectancy in nature is 10-13 years, in captivity - 16-18. Easily hybridizes with domestic dogs and red wolf (perhaps occasionally also with common wolf). natural enemies- an ordinary wolf, less often - bears, cougars. Unsuccessfully pursued by man. There are 18 subspecies in the species, however, the unity of the species and its isolation among other canids are beyond doubt.

One of the most characteristic predators of the American fauna has two whole names: coyote and coyote. The first goes back to the Aztec word "coyotl" - "divine dog" (in the literature you can often find the version " barking dog”, but this is a misunderstanding: “barking dog” - Canis latrans - is the official Latin name coyote in zoology). In fact, among many Indian tribes, the coyote was part of the pantheon of animal gods, and in it he played the role of a trickster - the god of a rogue, a deceiver and a prankster. But the name "meadow wolf" although less common, but most accurately reflects the origin of the coyote. Translated from the Latin language, the word "prairie" really means "meadows", but still it is more applicable to the name of the vast grassy expanses of the American Midwest, that is, the real steppes. And their native coyote, which as a species formed about 2.5 million years ago, separated from common ancestor with wolves, is a real steppe wolf.

Like any "grassy" landscape, the prairies are the kingdom of ungulates, and large canids are the best collective hunters for them. It would seem that this “profession” was also written for the coyote, but he went the other way, turning into a universal predator-scavenger-gatherer, similar to the jackals of the Old World. In practice, this means that the coyote eats everything that can be caught without much difficulty. At home on the prairies, the basis of his menu, and in some areas up to three-quarters of what he eats, are rodents, hares and rabbits. But not a single creature inferior to him in size can be insured against his attacks: he catches birds, including such large ones as pheasants, destroys nests, eats frogs, newts, fish, does not neglect large insects, but can (especially if there is no easier prey) attack a raccoon or beaver. In the dry steppes and deserts of the southwestern states, coyotes often catch snakes and other reptiles. And in more fertile lands they willingly eat blueberries, blackberries, wild and cultivated fruits, and visit melons. When peanuts ripen, coyotes living near plantations eat peanuts for up to half of their food. And those that live in Canada and Alaska arrange real driven deer hunts, mainly in winter, when most of the usual food is not available. True, even then the coyotes prefer to simply follow the deer herds. And only if no one in the herd dies for a long time or, for example, does not break a leg, the predators, who have lost their patience, decide to drive.

Usually, providing food does not take much energy from this animal. In a characteristic deceptively lazy manner, he trots through his lands, roaming left and right, laying loops and lingering at points of interest to him: what is here? whose hole is this? what's that smell coming from the hollow? This is at the same time hunting, and entertainment, and a game, and a regular inspection of the territory: has a stranger appeared on it? By fascination with all these moments, coyotes stand out even among other canids. In their family, games are generally honored - wolves, foxes, jackals are always ready to frolic, if there are no more important matters. And in the life of coyotes, all sorts of outdoor games at all - with each other, with caught prey, a bone or a branch - from the outside look like they do not grow up, remaining teenage puppies for life.

Among other things, this wolf is reputed to be the most "sporty" representative of his family. In a jump, it flies up to 4 meters (and it can jump 2 meters without a run), on the run it develops speeds of up to 50 km / h, and at critical moments up to 65. But there are no endurance records for it - coyote does not tire itself with prolonged exertion of strength loves.

However, there is one side of life that the prairie wolf takes quite seriously - the family. His marriage is concluded for a long time, usually until the death of one of the spouses. intimate relationship strictly seasonal (in the coyote's native prairies, they are confined to the end of winter). After conception, the couple continues to stick together, but closer to childbirth, the female settles in the den (converted from fox or badger hole or independently dug somewhere in a secluded and dry place) and devotes the remaining days to its improvement. At this time, and also after the appearance of offspring, the male provides food for himself and his wife, bringing crushed rodents to the den or (as is customary in many canine species) belching half-digested food. Then the female begins to gradually go fishing, and from the age of six weeks, puppies also get out. By autumn, they reach the size of an adult animal and can begin an independent life. However, it is not uncommon for young coyotes (more often females) to remain in the parental family for several seasons. At the same time, only the parent pair breeds, while the others are content with the role of assistants in hunting and in raising the younger ones.

General form family life coyotes are very diverse. Among them there are loners (although these may turn out to be animals that have lost their family or have not yet created it), there are large and friendly flocks consisting of a married couple and their offspring different ages. In maintaining their unity, the nightly “ choral singing»: the whole family, regardless of whether they are together in this moment or apart, displays long, coordinated roulades. And from beyond the boundaries of the family plot, neighbors respond ...

Like all their relatives, coyotes are territorial. A loner, a couple or a flock owns a family plot, the size of which is relatively small and can change: if the land is scarce, then even a single animal can hold a “latifundia” of 50 km2, and if there is a lot of prey, then the whole family has enough territory 10 times less. The borders are guarded vigilantly, but without wolf frenzy, when the violator can be torn to death. Often things go without physical contact: the owners demonstrate to the stranger that the place is occupied, and he meekly leaves. This allows young coyotes to easily travel hundreds of kilometers of territories inhabited by relatives in search of free land. In 1978, a radio-collared female coyote walked 323 kilometers before finding a permanent home. It took her more than half a year, so the average pace of movement was 12 kilometers a week - nothing like the rapid marches of wolves.

That's how slowly the coyote set off a century and a half ago to conquer America. Until the 1850s, prairie wolves lived only between the Mississippi and the Sierra Nevada mountains, reaching north to the Canadian province of Alberta, and going deep into Mexico in the south. Today they live from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic, from Alaska to Costa Rica (and, according to some sources, to Panama). People cut down forests, plowed up prairies, drained swamps, turned deserts into pastures - for many inhabitants of natural landscapes this was a disaster, but the coyote took it differently. He learned how to find food in garbage cans and city dumps, raise puppies in a suburban garden, and carry soybean or cottonseed meal from pig feeders. Already in the 1970s, several hundred coyotes constantly lived within the boundaries of Los Angeles, including on the ridges and in the canyons that separate the regions of America's second metropolis. And in northern California, Canada and Alaska, coyotes, according to the generally accepted version, came after the gold diggers, feeding on their horses and mules that fell in hard way. The gold rush subsided a long time ago, and the meadow wolves remained forever and even managed to evolve a little.

The man rendered them another service, clearing vast areas of his main natural enemy- a wolf that suppresses and displaces a coyote in a forest zone. With another close relative, the coyote figured out himself, and in a sophisticated and peaceful way. Until recently, the red wolf (Canis rufus) lived in the southeastern United States, similar in size and lifestyle to a coyote. The expansion of the latter to the east and the simultaneous decline in the number of red wolves led to constant hybridization of the two species, and rare red wolves almost completely "dissolved" in numerous coyotes.

In some places, the man helped the coyote knowingly. So, in Georgia and Florida, meadow wolves were brought in the middle of the last century as valuable game. However, more often people sought to get rid of unexpected new settlers. In the pastoral areas (especially where sheep were bred), they declared a total and unlimited war at all, since timid sheep and especially lambs turned out to be ideal prey for a smart and nimble predator. The coyote was outlawed, it could be mined at any time of the year and by any means. Sheep breeders fired from barrels of all calibers, set traps, scattered poisoned baits, destroyed dens, raised hunting planes into the air ... And yet they lost this war: by the 1960s it became clear that measures to exterminate coyotes were ineffective. But in traps and from poisons, many other, often rare and valuable animals die: bears, lynxes, large birds of prey. Finally, the damage from the meadow wolf itself turned out to be not so great: when in 1978 the American forestry and water resources surveyed ranchers in 15 Western states, 45% of sheep farmers said coyotes did not harm their flocks at all.

In 1971, the US government banned poison baits. In the 1990s, the right of unlimited extermination of the animal was abolished, and the usual fishing standards were extended to it. However, this does not apply to private property, so many pastoralists still shoot a coyote at the first opportunity.

But the only thing that people managed to achieve in this war was to accustom the coyote to extreme caution: it is almost impossible to see him on private territories even briefly. But in national parks Prairie wolves treat people so calmly that they take food from the hands and even come to the tourist camps for it themselves. After all, a person is also an interesting creature, especially when he does not shoot.

BOris Badges

Jackals and Coyote.

The jackal looks very much like a wolf, but only smaller, the size of a small mongrel. Also, the jackal is different from the wolf narrow muzzle, fluffy tail, which is kept down, and a light build.

Jackals live in arid regions, up to deserts. The striped, black-backed and rare Ethiopian inhabitant is common in Africa; common jackal - in North Africa, Central and South Asia, Southeast Europe.

They live in pairs, which are formed once and for all life. And where there is a lot of food, families huddle in flocks.

They search for prey at night, deftly hunting small game, reptiles and birds. And most The diet of jackals is plant food - they are gourmets and prefer gourds, visiting plantations, and grapes. Jackals choose melons and watermelons carefully - only the most ripe, and the sweetest; they bite them and if the taste is not the same, they throw them away.

They do not disdain to "eat" carrion, so they often feast in landfills, and at night they visit chicken coops, trying not to catch people's eyes.

At night, the jackal gives out its loud and whining cry, which at the same time resembles laughter, moaning and crying.

This beast is reputed to be cowardly, but this is far from being the case, the jackal is cautious and cunning, because, on occasion, any predator can easily handle it.

A relative of the wolf, a small size, which is called the coyote, or - meadow wolf. Previously, coyotes inhabited the prairies and deserts of Central and North America. But, settlers from Europe, who settled in these parts, began to actively cut down forests, destroy wolves - the main competitors of coyotes. And coyotes have begun to expand their range, so at the moment they are found in the territory from Panama to Alaska.

These animals are not afraid of being close to a person, on the contrary, they try to go out even to the center major cities where a lot of food is in landfills. Indeed, in their way of life, they are close to the jackal of the Old World: they hunt at night; They feed mainly on birds, rabbits, and reptiles.

Back in the nineteenth century, coyotes gathered in large flocks and followed the herds of buffalo on their heels, eating the fallen from diseases, the weakened young and the old.

The Indians, the indigenous inhabitants of North America, specially tamed coyotes, which acquired the skills of normal hunting dog and brought prey to their master.

The coyote belongs to the canine family. It looks almost like an ordinary wolf, but is significantly inferior to it in size. Even the largest "red dog" is smaller than a nondescript wolf:

• the body length of the animal usually does not exceed a meter;
• height at the withers - about half a meter;
• weight ranges from 7 to 21 kg.

The largest of the red wolves weighed 33 kg. But the wolf may well weigh 50-60 kg. Coyotes living in the southern area are smaller in size.

The coyote has erect ears and a fluffy tail. The thick and long fur of the animal has a brown color. There may be gray and black blotches. In the belly area, the fur is lighter. The tip of the tail is richly covered with dark hairs. In comparison with the size of the body, the legs of the animal may seem small. The coyote's face and paws may be reddish or brown shade. The desert coyote is lighter than the individuals that live in highlands. The coloration of the coyote helps him hide in the area where he lives.

The pointed muzzle of the red wolf is somewhat reminiscent of the shape of a fox. When running, the coyote holds its tail down at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, which distinguishes it from a wolf.

prairie dwellers

Coyotes are inhabitants of the American plains. They are found almost throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The borders of the meadow wolf habitat are limited in the north by Alaska, and in the south by Panama. The genus about which in question, includes two dozen subspecies. Three of them live in Central America. AT North America the coyote occupies about the same niche as the jackals in Eurasia.

The prairie wolf spread very widely across America during the Gold Rush. Coyotes actively followed the gold miners, developing new territories and not neglecting any production. These predators are better than wolves adapted to existence next to people.

The red wolf prefers to live in open spaces: in deserts and prairies. It is very rare to see a coyote in the forests. AT recent times the meadow wolf is increasingly found on the outskirts of large cities. There they are attracted to landfills where you can profit from something.

The red wolf is picky about food. This is an omnivore. His main diet is:

• marmots;
• gophers;
• hares;
• rabbits;
• stray dogs.

But a hungry coyote will not disdain smaller animals, birds or insects. The diet of the red wolf may include mice, snakes, lizards. In summer and autumn, the coyote enjoys eating fruits and vegetables.

Coyotes have been known to prey on domestic animals. The facts of the attack of red wolves on humans are noted.

meadow hunter

Coyote is an excellent hunter. The red wolf goes hunting alone or in pairs. But if you have to drive big booty, predators often stray in flocks. At the same time, hunting is exactly like that of wolves - with the distribution of roles. The most active coyotes drive the prey and bring it to the flock, which exhausts the unfortunate victim with a long pursuit. The red wolf is a very fast and agile animal. He jumps great. The length of a coyote's jump may well reach four meters. The red wolf is able to run quite fast, developing speeds of up to 60 km / h over short distances, and up to 40 km / h over long distances.

In hunting, the coyote is helped by excellent flair and acute vision. Coyotes lead a twilight lifestyle, although they are quite capable of hunting in the daytime.

It happens that red wolves unite for hunting with badgers. Here, too, there is a distribution of roles. The badger often breaks holes where the prey lives. Coyote can only catch up with the victim and finish it off.

Adults usually have their own hunting grounds centered around a coyote den. The animal marks the boundaries of its site with urine. You can recognize a coyote by its characteristic loud howl. In this way, red wolves communicate with each other, call the female, report that they are in a foreign territory, convene their relatives for a joint hunt. At night, the American plains constantly announce the howl of these animals - this is how they scare away strangers. Scientists have come a long way in deciphering the sound messages of coyotes. In communication, the prairie wolf often uses not only howling, but also barking, whining and growling. Each sound corresponds to a certain emotion, it can express submission, humility or anger.

Coyotes also have enemies. As a rule, these are cougars and wolves. The red wolf clashes with foxes as the two species compete for food. The meadow wolf is practically not afraid of people, because a person does not hunt a coyote. For this reason, there have probably been documented cases of these animals attacking cyclists and joggers.

Lifestyle of red wolves

Coyotes tend to live in pairs, although they can be seen as singles or relatively large family groups. In packs, this animal strays where there are many coyotes and there is an abundance of food. The usual composition of the pack is up to six individuals of both sexes. Two of them are a parent pair, and the rest are growing young. In hunting, the purpose of the pack is to hunt for large prey, which a single coyote cannot cope with.

Coyote couples are distinguished by constancy. These animals can live together long years showing no interest in other partners.

Mating in coyotes occurs in the winter - from January to February. Red wolf females are distinguished by enviable fertility: there can be up to two dozen puppies in a litter. However, in large litters, a significant percentage of mortality is almost always noted: no more than a third of puppies survive to a year.

Pregnancy lasts about three months. The birth of the brood usually takes place in the main den of the family. But each married couple has in stock and several spare shelters. It can be crevices in the rocks or burrows. The usual lair of the red wolf is a hole. Their animals tend to dig themselves. But this predator willingly settles in other people's dwellings. The territory that an adult animal considers and controls as its own can have a diameter of up to two tens of kilometers.

Male tasks:

• food extraction;
• home security;
• caring for the female;
• education of offspring.

Coyote - attentive and caring parent. The male is engaged in the upbringing of the younger generation on an equal basis with the female. Growing up, males begin to live independently, and young females often stay with their parents. Coyotes are considered peaceful and docile animals, they never show aggression towards members of their family.

AT vivo the red wolf can live up to ten years or more. In captivity, coyotes live even longer. There is a case when a married couple of coyotes lived in the zoo for 16 years.

Coyote: myths and legends

Coyote has long been a character in the myths of various peoples inhabiting America. Usually this beast is portrayed as a prankster and naughty. He is capable of dirty tricks - but not because of the harmfulness of his character, but because of his cheerful disposition. But the coyote does not know how to be responsible for his pranks.

In the mythology of a number of North American tribes, the red wolf personified a deity that patronizes warriors, hunters and lovers. Coyote is considered a great sorcerer. There is a myth according to which the "divine dog" created people from mud, doing it quite by accident, during the game. In some Indian tribes, the coyote was considered a totem animal, so they did not hunt it.

Coyotes live in the USA, preferring open spaces. Unlike many animals that civilization displaces from their usual habitat, they adapt well to new living conditions, and even endure environmental threats.

This is a miniature animal, its body length is from 75 to 100 cm, it weighs 20 kg. The coat color is brown with alternating black and white hair. The belly and chest are lighter in color. The coyote has a dense body, a short neck with an elongated head, a long fluffy tail.

The muzzle is pointed, ears erect, yellow-golden eyes. In the mouth sharp teeth, there are 42. Thin strong legs not high, the claws on the paws are not retractable.

It is active at night and at dusk. He is a smart and quick-witted beast, well adapted to a difficult life in the wild.The coyote is an excellent swimmer, so he is able to catch his own fish. Can attack, birds, ruins bird masonry. In autumn, it eats berries and fruits, replenishing the supply of vitamins in the body.

Hunts alone, or paired with another relative. In times of famine, united in a flock, they hunt large animals together. Making raids on the outskirts settlements, prowling in garbage cans.

They mostly live in pairs - male and female, or singly. Each has its own territory, which they mark and zealously defend, although it almost never comes to fights. Communicating with each other by barking, screeching or howling, they probably resolve the conflict peacefully.

He has excellent eyesight, smell and hearing. It is these qualities that a real predator needs for hunting and for saving from enemies, of which he has many:, wolf and. Coyote runs fast, speeds up to 45 km / h.

These are excellent family men, having created a couple, they live together all their lives. The rut starts in January-February. The female's pregnancy will last up to 65 days. Blind puppies are born in the lair and need careful care.

Usually there are 5 - 9 of them, sometimes a little more. The weight of one puppy is 280 - 320 grams.
The mother is always with them for the first few days, she does not go anywhere. The father of the family earns food, he is well done, to feed one such big family not easy. The female feeds the cubs with milk for 1.5 months.

In case of detection by smell of the family, by any predator, they have several spare holes. If trouble is felt, parents transfer their puppies to a new place. Babies will go out to get acquainted with the outside world at the age of 3 weeks. They clumsily run, squint in the sun, play among themselves. In the fall, matured wolf cubs leave the family, only young females can stay until next year.