Coyote (Canis latrans) 
Key Characteristics
Coyotes, a member of the dog family, weigh between 15 and 45 pounds. Desert coyotes are on the lower end of the scale. They range from 40 to 60" including the tail. They reach sexual maturity in nine to ten months. Life span in the wild may reach 15 years but most probably don't exceed 10 years. Only 5 to 20% of the pups survive their first year. Coyotes can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves. They mark their territory with urine and scat left on trails. In color they range from grayish brow to yellowish gray. The tail is bushy with a black tip. It is carried down, but not between the legs, when running unlike dogs and wolves which carry their tails up and horizontal. In the wild coyotes are timid and naturally afraid of humans. Coyotes in urban areas may become accustomed to humans and lose some of their fear of them.
Habitat
Coyotes inhabit all life zones of the desert southwest, including the open grass and shrub areas, mesas, foothills and mountains. They will go wherever food is available. For dens they may enlarge another animal's burrow, dig under a tree, stump, rock or use small caves.
Adaptations to desert living
The original range of the coyote was the southwestern US, so it is well adapted to desert survival. The fact that their typical diet consist of small mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, carrion and various plant materials enables it to survive where there is not an abundance of large game. Most hunting is done at night, usually alone or in pairs. Where large game is available they have been observed hunting in packs. Desert coyotes are generally smaller than the coyotes in more lush cooler areas. This may be due to available food and a smaller animal dissipates heat more efficiently than a larger animal.
Description (life cycle, special interactions, etc.)
Coyotes tend to form loose family groups rather than strong packs like wolves. Groups may form for a short period of time then break up as food supply allows. The female is monoestrous and will come in heat in January or February. Once the female chooses a mate they may remain together for several years, but not necessarily for life. Gestation is 63 to 65 days. Litter size averages about six pups. They will be fully weaned by about 35 days at which time they will be fed by regurgitation from both parents. By six to ten weeks the mother is taking the pups out on group hunting trips. By fall the pups are usually hunting on their own and the pack starts to break up.
I found this organism to be really interesting because
What I find the most interesting about the coyote is its cleverness and adaptability. Its initial range, the desert southwest, has expanded to Alaska, New England, Florida, Panama and all points in between. It has learned to survive among people in urban areas as well as the vast rural areas of this continent.
References
University Of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Recommended reading: Don Coyote by Dayton O. Hyde
Author: Jerry Harris