Coyotes, adaptable members of the canine family, make dens. While they thrive in diverse environments, from deserts to urban landscapes, dens serve specific purposes in their life cycle. Their versatility allows them to use various shelters, demonstrating their capacity for survival.
The Purpose of Coyote Dens
The primary reason coyotes use dens is for raising their young. These underground structures provide a safe, secluded environment for the birth and early development of pups, typically from late winter through spring. The den offers protection from predators and harsh weather for the vulnerable newborns.
Coyote parents are protective of their den and pups, with the female selecting and preparing the site for giving birth. Pups are born from approximately February to May and are nursed for several weeks. While the den is central to pup rearing, adult coyotes do not use these structures for regular shelter outside of the denning season.
Characteristics and Locations of Coyote Dens
Coyote dens often involve the modification of existing structures rather than extensive new excavations. They commonly enlarge abandoned burrows of other animals like badgers, groundhogs, or foxes. Natural features such as hollow logs, rock crevices, and spaces under tree roots or fallen trees are also used. When coyotes do dig their own dens, they prefer sandy or loose soil, often on a slope for drainage.
The entrance to a coyote den is about 1 to 2 feet wide and 1.5 to 2 feet high. The tunnel can extend several feet to up to 50 feet underground, leading to a chamber where the pups are kept. Dens are chosen for their protective concealment, located in dense brush, ravines, or other areas that offer privacy and a vantage point for the parents. In urban settings, they might even den under porches, sheds, or abandoned buildings.
Beyond the Den: Other Shelters and Habitat Use
Coyote dens are temporary nurseries, abandoned once the pups are old enough to venture out. Outside of the denning season, adult coyotes are nomadic and do not inhabit permanent shelters. Instead, they rest in various natural covers, prioritizing concealment and proximity to food sources.
These resting spots include dense vegetation, tall grasses, or under shrubs, where they can remain hidden from potential threats. Coyotes are adaptable, inhabiting diverse environments such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and urban areas. Their ability to use parks, golf courses, and other green spaces within cities for shelter highlights their versatility in adapting to human-altered landscapes.