Coyote [Canis latrans]

No other species of wild animal has a range that extends over an area large as that of the modern coyote. They are found throughout Central America, all of the contiguous US and Alaska and all but the northernmost portions of Canada.

Coloration of the coyote varies from grayish brown to a yellowish gray on the upper parts. The throat and belly are whitish. The forelegs, sides of head, muzzle and feet are reddish brown. The back has fulvous colored underfur and long, black-tipped guard hairs that produce a black dorsal stripe and a dark cross on the shoulder area. The tail, which is half the body length, is bottle shaped with a black tip. There is also a scent gland located on the dorsal base of the tail. There is one moult per year, which starts in May with light loss of hair and ends in July after profuse shedding. The coyote is significantly smaller than the gray wolf and much larger than foxes. The coyote is differentiated from domesticated dogs by its pointed, erect ears and drooping tail, which it holds below its back when it is running. The eyes have a yellow iris and round pupil. The nose is black and usually less than one inch in diameter. The ears are large in relation to the head and the muzzle is long and slender.