Coyote

		SIZE

		HEIGHT:	12-20 in.
		LENGTH:	Head and body (32-37 in.) Tail Length: 10-13 in.
		WEIGHT:	20-50 lbs.

		BREEDING

		MATURITY:	Females breed at one year.
		MATING:	Mates Jan.-Feb. Will cross with the domestic dog.
		GESTATION:	60-63 days.
		# OF YOUNG :	5-10 pups.

		LIFESTYLE

		HABIT:	Chiefly nocturnal, but has been spotted roaming in the daytime.
		DIET:	Will eat almost any animal or vegetable. Mostly small rodents and rabbits.
		LIFESPAN:	18 years in captivity.

		SCIENTIFIC NAME

		FAMILY:	Classified as "Canis latrans". Similar species: The Red Wolf, The Grey Wolf, and The Fox.

		GENERAL INFORMATION

		In the wild, the coyote lives in the open plains of the west and brushy areas of the East. This opportunistic eater has adapted to man and his farmland. The coyote is very unpopular with farmers who think of him as a livestock eater. However, coyotes mainly eat rodents, rabbits and small animals. They will only hunt large animals, such as a deer, in groups of two or more. The coyote is the best runner of the canids (dog family: wolves, dogs) reaching speeds of 25 to 30 mph, even 40 mph over short distances, and leaping up to 14 feet in a single bound. The coyote is the symbol of the American west with his night howls, barks and wails.

"We had the opportunity to visit Bear Country during our trip to SD for the Black Hill Overdrive car show. What an awesome experience! It is something we will NEVER forget. We are already planning our next trip in about 3 years. Bear Country will be on the top of our to-do-list! I think I could sit and watch the baby bears all day long. I was able to take some awesome pictures to put up in my family room (totally decorated in a BEAR theme) WOW! Loved it! Don't miss out on going here, very well worth it!"

Brenda
Rocky Ford, CO