The coyote (Canis latrans) is a highly resourceful North American canid, known for thriving across diverse landscapes, including deserts, forests, and urban centers. Their relationship with water is flexible; they are opportunistic users of aquatic resources rather than species fundamentally tied to them. Coyotes are not semi-aquatic animals, but their success is linked to an efficient physiological system and a flexible approach to finding water.
Water as a Physiological Necessity
Like all mammals, coyotes must acquire water to regulate body temperature and facilitate metabolic functions. They have developed a considerable capacity for water conservation, especially in hot, arid environments. Direct drinking from standing sources such as ponds, streams, or puddles is a primary method for hydration. The frequency of drinking increases during periods of high temperature to combat heat stress.
A substantial portion of their water intake comes from their diet, known as preformed water. Consuming small prey, such as rodents, rabbits, and insects, provides significant moisture, effectively reducing the need to seek out open water sources. Furthermore, the oxidation of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates generates metabolic water internally, a process particularly beneficial in dry habitats. Studies involving the removal of artificial water sources in desert regions have shown that coyotes are adaptable enough to maintain their survival rates without relying on these external water points.
Swimming Ability and Contextual Use of Water
Coyotes possess a natural ability to swim well, a trait shared with many members of the Canidae family. They generally only enter the water when a clear benefit or necessity exists. When swimming, they maintain their head high above the waterline, using their front paws to paddle and their bushy tail as a rudder for steering and balance. This method is effective for travel, but swimming is not a preferred activity.
Coyotes will swim to cross streams, rivers, or small lakes to reach new territory, expand their range, or search for food sources. Swimming is also used as an escape strategy to evade larger predators, such as wolves or mountain lions, who may hesitate to follow them. While not a primary hunting technique, they may occasionally swim in pursuit of specific prey, like injured waterfowl, or wade into shallow waters to cool down during the summer months. Coyotes have been documented swimming distances of at least 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) when motivated.
Water Sources in Habitat and Foraging Strategy
The presence of water sources influences the coyote’s habitat selection and foraging success, even though they are not physiologically dependent on large bodies of water. Habitats near water, such as riparian zones, are often selected because they provide dense cover for den placement and act as natural travel corridors. These areas also concentrate a wider variety of prey, including small mammals, amphibians, and birds.
Coyotes frequently use these resource-rich linear features as hunting grounds, utilizing the dense vegetation along the banks to ambush prey. The proximity to water creates a reliable microhabitat that sustains their omnivorous diet throughout the year. This preference for riparian and agricultural areas shows that while they are not limited by the lack of water, their survival strategy benefits significantly from its presence.