The coyote, Canis latrans, is a highly adaptable canine native to North America that has successfully colonized diverse environments across the continent. Its survival hinges on an ability to adjust both behavior and physiology in response to changing seasons and resource availability. When faced with the deep snow and scarcity of food characteristic of winter, the coyote engages a series of specialized strategies. This period forces distinct changes in how coyotes manage their body temperature, secure nutrition, and organize their social lives.
Adapting to Cold Temperatures and Shelter
Coyotes possess physical features that allow them to withstand prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures and harsh winter weather. A primary adaptation is the growth of a dense, double-layered winter coat, which provides exceptional insulation. The outer layer consists of long guard hairs that shed moisture, while the soft, thick undercoat traps air to retain body heat, creating an insulating barrier against the cold.
Behaviorally, the coyote conserves energy by seeking out sheltered locations that block wind and retain warmth. They often utilize natural structures, such as rocky ledges, dense brush piles, or the hollowed-out bases of trees. During severe storms, they may seek refuge in abandoned badger or marmot dens, or other subterranean cavities for temporary protection.
To manage their energy budget, coyotes increase food intake in autumn to build up a layer of fat, which serves as both an energy reserve and additional insulation. Their activity patterns often shift to include greater movement during cooler periods or at night. They also strategically choose sun-exposed areas during the day to rest and absorb warmth.
Winter Diet and Hunting Strategies
Winter presents the greatest challenge to the coyote’s diet, as many smaller prey species have either migrated or entered hibernation, and dense snow cover complicates foraging. The coyote’s opportunistic nature becomes paramount, leading to a shift in its primary food sources. Rodents, specifically voles and mice, remain a significant dietary component.
To catch small mammals beneath the snow, coyotes employ “mousing.” They listen intently for movement, leap high into the air, and plunge down to break through the snow crust and secure the prey. Lagomorphs, such as rabbits and hares, also become important in the winter diet, particularly at higher latitudes.
Scavenging for carrion increases in importance when live prey is scarce. White-tailed deer carcasses, resulting from natural winter mortality, roadkill, or kills made by other large predators, provide a reliable, high-protein food source. While coyotes typically hunt alone or in pairs, the need for larger meals can lead to temporary, small-group hunting behaviors. They may target weakened or injured large ungulates, using crusted snow to move more efficiently than their heavier prey.
Changes in Social Structure and Mating Season
The social structure of coyotes becomes more cohesive and territorial during the winter months as the mating season approaches. Coyotes are generally monogamous, with mated pairs remaining together for life, forming the core of a family unit that cooperatively defends a territory. This increased territoriality is communicated through more frequent and louder vocalizations, particularly the characteristic yips and howls, which advertise their presence to rivals.
The peak of the reproductive cycle occurs between January and March. The female typically enters a short estrus period once per year, usually in February. This timing ensures that pups will be born in the spring when food resources begin to become more abundant. Male coyotes enter breeding condition slightly earlier, starting in January, to prepare for the reproductive window.
Once pair bonds are reaffirmed, the mated pair begins den selection, though pups are not born until spring. They often select or excavate a den site, sometimes utilizing abandoned burrows in concealed areas like steep banks or rock crevices. This focus on pair maintenance and territorial defense ensures the breeding pair is ready to raise a litter once winter breaks.