Coyote

Canis latrans

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJA01010
Common Name: 
Coyote
Scientific Name: 
Canis latrans
Naming References: 
W020
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Canidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Can be 12 months, if conditions are good.
References: 
B113

Longevity

Up to 18 years in captivity, 14.5 years in wild.
References: 
B113

Economic/Human Considerations

Good = eat agricultural pests, bad = eat small game, rabies.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Alpine tundra, boreal forest, aspen parklands, short-grass steppes.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

8% of the NWT (B113) from south of Great Slave Lake to Yellowknife.
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
B112
B113
H111
A378

Number of Occurrences

More than 100; northern record at Black Mountain (GRRB) in 2019. Report from Yellowknife (S. Legaree) behind Moyle Drive on 18 November 2023; conditions dark, identification therefore not certain.
Score: 
E = >

Area of Occupancy

Expansion
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
H126-05
H164_05
H217
A378
Population

Population Size

Rough estimate hundreds?
Score: 
C = 2

Density

0.1 to 0.4 per sq km in Alberta; generally lower in North.
References: 
H126
Trends

Trends

Adjusted well to human settlement (stable to increasing). No observations in Dehcho reported by 2005 (H164_05), but one observation in the Dehcho reported by 2008 (H217). Present in Yellowknife and breeding (H126_05).
Score: 
GH =
References: 
B001
H126-05
H164_05
H217
A378
Threats

Threats

Parasites and disease (major factor only when food sources are low); human persecution.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
A087
B113

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
A087
B113
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Low number of species in the north for many years, numbers will increase with human disturbance to habitat (H112).
S Rank: 
S4
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted as undetermined by S. Carriere; using comments from A. Veitch. Modified to secure by D. Johnson in 2004 (H112). Reviewed in 2004 - changes due to breeding records and increase numbers. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return
  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return
  • Nic Larter (2008) Terrestrial mammals, news, changes, and updates for the general status program. e-mail to S Carriere 18 july 2008 print out in binder - H217 Return
  • Cluff, H. D. (2006) Canadian Field-Naturalist 120(1): 67-70 - A378 Return

Density

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Gier HT, Kruckenberg SM, and Marler RJ (1978) Parasites and diseases of coyotes. Academic Press Coyotes: Biology, Behavior, and Management. Bekoff M (editor) 37-69 RWED Library Call #QL737.C22C6 - A087 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Longevity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Naming

  • Nature Serve: An online encyclopedia of life (web application) (2004) Version 4.0 (01 July 2004). Arlington Virginia USA. Association for Biodiversity Information.. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?init=Species - W020 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Cluff, H. D. (2006) Canadian Field-Naturalist 120(1): 67-70 - A378 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return
  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return
  • Nic Larter (2008) Terrestrial mammals, news, changes, and updates for the general status program. e-mail to S Carriere 18 july 2008 print out in binder - H217 Return
  • Cluff, H. D. (2006) Canadian Field-Naturalist 120(1): 67-70 - A378 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Gier HT, Kruckenberg SM, and Marler RJ (1978) Parasites and diseases of coyotes. Academic Press Coyotes: Biology, Behavior, and Management. Bekoff M (editor) 37-69 RWED Library Call #QL737.C22C6 - A087 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return