are coyotes dogs
Mortality and Longevity. 1  Coyote numbers are controlled by social stress, diseases, parasites, competition for food, and predators. 2  Predators include humans, cougars, bears, and other coyotes. 3  Eagles, dogs, and adult coyotes kill some coyote pups. Coyotes are opportunistic and generally take prey that is the easiest to secure. Among larger wild animals, coyotes tend to kill young, inexperienced animals, as well as old, sick, or weakened individuals. With domestic animals, coyotes are capable of catching and killing healthy, young, and in some instances, adult prey. Prey selection is based on opportunity and a myriad of behavioral cues. 1 Coyotes eat wild species, but they are known to eat pet food, garbage, garden crops, livestock, poultry, and pets (mostly cats). 2  Coyotes occasionally kill domestic dogs (and foxes) that they consider territorial intruders. In body form and size, the coyote (Canis latrans) resembles a small collie dog, with erect pointed ears, slender muzzle, and a bushy tail (Fig. 1). Coyotes are predominantly brownish gray in color with a light gray to cream-colored belly. 1 Eagles, dogs, and adult coyotes kill some coyote pups. 2  Where coyotes are hunted and trapped, females produce more pups per litter than in areas where they are protected. 3  Coyotes in captivity live as long as 18 years. 4  In the wild, few coyotes live more than four years; the majority of pups die during their first year. 1 Coyotes are opportunists, both as hunters and as scavengers. 2  They eat any small animal they can capture, including mice, rats, gophers, mountain beavers, rabbits, and squirrels, also snakes, lizards, frogs, fish, birds, and carrion (animal carcasses). 3  Grass, fruits, and berries are eaten during summer and fall. Adapted from the book Wild Neighbors. Attacks on people by coyotes are very rare and are usually preventable through changes in human behavior. Dawn Macheca. An encounter with a coyote in the urban and suburban landscape is a rare event, even where coyotes are found in large numbers. These animals are generally nocturnal and seldom seen. You may catch a glimpse of a coyote, however, as she moves from one part of her territory to another in search of prey (usually small mammals such as mice or voles). Coyotes, like all warm-blooded animals, may contract rabies. Their close kinship to dogs places coyotes at greater risk where there are populations of unvaccinated domestic dogs. Recent advances in rabies control using oral bait to immunize wild animals without having to capture them have made controlling the spread of rabies in coyotes much more effective. 1 Coyotes are also very protective of their young and will attack dogs that get too close to their den and pups. 2  Note: The list of killers of domestic cats and dogs includes other dogs and cats, vehicles, bears, cougars, bobcats, foxes, disease, and furious neighbors! 3  Most hunting activity takes place at night. Coyotes often include many items in their diet. Rabbits top the list of their dietary components. Carrion, rodents, ungulates (usually fawns), insects (such as grasshoppers), as well as livestock and poultry, are also consumed. Coyotes readily eat fruits such as watermelons, berries, and other vegetative matter when they are available.
No