Coyotes are adaptable wild canids found across North America in diverse environments. Their widespread presence often leads to interest in their reproductive patterns. Understanding these patterns offers insight into their biology and behavior.
Mating Season and Pregnancy
Coyote reproduction begins in late winter, with mating season spanning January through March. Peak breeding activity often occurs in February. Male and female coyotes form pair bonds, often monogamous and lasting for life. Courtship involves increased vocalizations, mutual grooming, and playful interactions.
Following mating, the female undergoes a gestation period of 60 to 63 days. This short pregnancy ensures births occur in spring, when environmental conditions are favorable with increased food and milder weather. A female typically produces only one litter per year.
Birthing and Early Pup Care
Coyote pups are generally born in late March, April, or early May, coinciding with spring’s arrival. Females seek or construct dens in secluded locations to give birth and raise young. These dens can include hollow logs, abandoned burrows, rock crevices, or dense brush patches.
The average litter size ranges from four to seven pups, though this varies with food availability and local population density. In areas with scarce populations or abundant food, litters may be larger, sometimes reaching eight or nine pups. Newborn pups are born blind and helpless, weighing 0.5 to 1 pound, and are covered in dark fur. The mother remains with her pups inside the den during their first few weeks, providing milk and warmth. The male often assists by bringing food to the den for the female and guarding the site.
Pup Development and Independence
Their eyes typically open around 10 to 14 days, allowing them to perceive surroundings. Pups usually emerge from the den at three to four weeks old, initially staying very close to the entrance. Weaning from their mother’s milk begins around five to seven weeks, when parents start to regurgitate semi-solid food.
Both parents play a role in feeding and protecting the pups once they leave the den. As summer progresses, pups learn hunting skills by observing and mimicking their parents, starting with small prey. By late fall or early winter, typically six to nine months old, young coyotes disperse from their natal territory to establish their own territories and seek mates.