- Coyotes vary between 10 and 20 kg (20 to 25 pounds) in weight.
- Fur is brownish-grey with some white or yellow areas (legs, paws, throat, belly and ears); lightens in winter and darkens in summer; provides excellent protection from cold.
- Long, soft fur darkens on hind of back, becoming wavy; ends in a bushy, fox-like, black-tipped tail, carried low.
- Neck is well-furred and looks oversized for the body.
- Smaller and slimmer than a wolf; erect, wide, pointed ears, a slim muzzle and a black nose.
- Long tongue often hangs down between the teeth, regulating the body temperature through panting.
- Yellow, slightly slanted eyes and black, round pupils; well-developed hearing, vision and smell.
- Canine teeth, remarkably long.
- Paws are elongated with 4 toes and non-retractable claws.
- Coyotes are extremely intelligent and playful predators.
- Coyotes appear to be monogamous, and couples may remain together for life.
- Mating occurs in February and March, and gestation takes 60 to 63 days.
- Pups are born with fine brown fur, in litters of 3 to 7. Their eyes open up 8 or 9 days after birth, and weaning occurs by 2 months.
- While still in the den, the male will prowl around and bring food to the entrance for the young.
- The mother provides regurgitated food for the pups for up to a year. Shortly thereafter, the young coyotes are ready for breeding.
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