Canis latrans (Coyote)
- What an athlete! The coyote can reach a speed of 65 km/hr, jump 1.8 metres high and 4.2 metres in length!
- Coyotes live in fields, bushes, marshes and young forests in the countryside and close to cities. The major part of the year, coyotes sleep on the ground or in the snow, sheltered by a bush or a tree. They use a den with two exits for the birth and early care of their cubs.
- Coyotes feed on animals, fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, fruits, etc. In groups, they will prey on larger animals like deer, cows or sheep.
- Hunters, trappers, dogs, black bears and lynx are among their predators.
- Coyotes are active in the evening, at night and in daytime (especially in summer).
- Did you know that the young are blind at birth?
- It is possible to hunt coyotes in New Brunswick with a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator License. Consult the Province of New Brunswick Hunting Guide for more information.
- While there were coyotes in New Brunswick in the 1950’s, their population started to increase around 1970. The disappearance of the grey wolf as well as our forestry and agricultural practices helped coyote numbers to expand very rapidly.
Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling rodents and herbivorous. They have their rightful place in the animal kingdom as scavengers and predators of rodents. They play an important role in our ecosystem and are an integral part of the diversity of our provincial forests.
Actions-interactions
- Do not feed wild animals.
- Take time and find out the best strategy in case of an encounter with a coyote.
- Call a forest ranger or the Department of Natural Resources for more information.
- Send your observations to the Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group
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