Hobbies And Interests
Coyote Social Life
Coyotes may live alone, in pairs or in packs of varying size. The type of social organization may depend on factors such as prey availability and type, as well as coyote density and the presence of competitors and potential predators. For example, coyotes are less likely to form large packs when the main prey options are small animals such as rodents or rabbits, while banding together in such groups allows coyotes to tackle bigger animals such as deer and elk. Often a mated pair of adults holds a particular territory; offspring may remain with the parents to form an extended family group, or they may disperse to strike their own fortunes elsewhere, especially if food resources in a given territory are limited. Lone coyotes unable to defend a territory may exist in semi-nomadic fashion on the fringes of established pack geographies. Whether living alone or in a family pack, coyotes use vocalizations frequently to communicate.
Intra-group Vocalizations
The alpha male and female within an extended family group may occasionally need to remind other coyotes within the pack of their dominance, which might be accomplished with growling or snarling. The submissive animal often whines in such a situation. Yipping and high-pitched yowling commonly occur between pack members, possibly simply to reaffirm social bonds. A coyote might bark sharply to warn others of potential danger, such as the appearance of a wolf or human. Coyotes may howl to their mates or other pack members if out foraging, as a means of advertising their location. Howls and yapping also greet an adult coyote returning to juveniles at a rendezvous site, where youngsters develop after leaving the natal den.
Territorial Advertisements
Like many canids, coyotes are highly territorial, and vocal communication is an important means of sorting out disputes over territory without actually resorting to risky physical conflict. Howling by a mated pair or an entire pack often serves to reinforce its dominion within a defined area. Such advertisements of power can occur regularly as the coyotes patrol, and also may take place when a strange, interloping coyote or a neighboring pack is spotted.
Other Vocalizations
Coyote pups whimper and squeak to communicate with adults and one another. They may growl amongst each other as they sort out litter hierarchies. Young coyotes may begin tussling with one another in dominance disputes as early as 19 to 24 days old, according to research cited by Gese and Bekoff in "Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs." Especially in the vicinity of an active den, adult coyotes may bark at potential pup predators such as wolves or grizzly bears, sometimes in conjunction with bold nips at the heels of these larger carnivores.