Coyotes are pretty resilient animals. They were hunted nearly to extinction in the early 20th century. And, I hate to even say this, but about 90,000 are killed every year today by state or federal government in order to protect livestock. Yet, they are found throughout North America from Alaska and Northern Canada south to Panama. They are found at sea level and at 10,000 feet. They are found in high humidity areas and in the desert. Their fur tends to be darker and heavier in mountainous areas and more "yellowish" in desert areas. They grow to an average weight of 45 pounds, although typically larger and heavier in the north. They can reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour during a chase. They usually hunt in pairs but run in packs of six or seven. I have seen as many as seven a couple of times here at The Azure Gate. They tend to run in packs more in the winter than summer. This, of course, is true of many animals: coatimundi, elk, pronghorn, and others. They used to be more diurnal, but as human population has grown and human land ownership expanded, coyotes have become more nocturnal. But, we still see them during the day occasionally -- but, more typically on overcast days. Today's photo comes from Western Montana. I was driving along between Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and the National Bison Wildlife Refuge when up ahead I saw a coyote cross the road. I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled down the window, as he began walking (through the wildflowers) along the forest's edge. I took this photo as he was parallel to me:
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