canis latrans
Location: Technically not IN the yard, but seen repeatedly on the street in front and in neighbor's (unfenced) yard.
|
Range: Throughout North America
|
Despite being extensively hunted, the coyote is one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that has enlarged its range since human encroachment began. It originally ranged primarily in the western half of North America, but it has adapted readily to the changes caused by human presence and, since the early 19th century, has been steadily and dramatically extending its range.[55] Sightings now commonly occur in a majority of the United States and Canada. Researchers studied coyote populations in Chicago over a seven-year period (2000–2007), proposing that coyotes have adapted well to living in densely populated urban environments while avoiding contact with humans. They found that urban coyotes tend to live longer than their rural counterparts, kill rodents and small pets, and live anywhere from parks to industrial areas. The researchers estimate that there are up to 2,000 coyotes living in "the greater Chicago area" and that this circumstance may well apply to many other urban landscapes in North America.[ Link Distribution photo Genus: Canis (Wolves, dogs, dingos, coyotes, jackals) Family: Canidae (wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and the domestic dog) Order: Carnivora (carnivores) Class: Mammalia (Mammals) Phylum/Division: Chordata (Spinal chorded) Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) |