Coyote

Coyote

  • Species: Canis latrans
  • Type: Mammal
  • Typical Size: 1.5-2 feet tall at the shoulder; 3.5-4.5 feet long (including tail); 20-50 pounds
  • Habitat Needs: Open fields, brushy areas, wooded edges, suburban greenbelts
  • Activity Period: Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, but may be seen during the day
  • Diet: Omnivorous - small mammals, fruit, insects, carrion, and occasionally pet food or trash

Wildlife Behavior

  • Notable Behaviors: Territorial howling; solitary or small-family hunting; raising pups in dens in early spring
  • Attracts To Garden By: Accessible food (pet food, compost, unsecured trash), water sources, or rodent populations
  • Impact on Garden: Troublesome - may prey on pets or livestock; beneficial in rodent control

Favorite Plants Or Features

  • Favorite Trees/Shrubs: Dense brush, thickets, wooded cover near open areas
  • Favorite Flowers/Grasses: Tall native grasses used for cover; not attracted to specific plants for food
  • Shelter Choices: Dens in brushy slopes, culverts, or under outbuildings

Notes

  • Interaction with Pets: Caution - may attack small pets if left unattended, especially at night
  • Special Notes: Native to Texas; highly adaptable and present even in suburban and urban environments

Description

Coyotes are intelligent, adaptable mammals with a bushy tail, long legs, and a sharp, foxlike face. Their coats are typically grayish-brown with reddish tones behind the ears and on their legs. Known for their eerie nighttime yips and howls, coyotes thrive across Texas and have adapted remarkably well to urban sprawl. In Lewisville, sightings are not uncommon, especially near greenbelts, parks, and creeks. They play a vital ecological role by controlling rodent populations but may pose risks to pets or small livestock if food is left accessible.

See Also

  • _Emberwood