If you raise sheep, it's almost a foregone conclusion that you aren't a fan of coyotes. Arguments rage over just how many sheep coyotes kill each year in Idaho, but the predators do enjoy an occasional lamb chop.
Coyotes aren't picky eaters. They consume mostly small rodents and rabbits, but they seldom turn up their nose at any meal, animal or vegetable. They would love to eat what your dog eats.
Coyotes are a lot like dogs. They're intelligent. They bark like dogs, and they look a lot like Bowser and ol' Blue, although a coyote's nose is pointier than most dogs, and his tail bushier. They are related closely enough to cross breed with domestic dogs.
When they run--at speeds up to 40 miles per hour--coyotes hold their tail down between their hind legs. They share that almost unique trait with only one other dog-like creature, the red wolf.
Coyotes are typically shy, nocturnal creatures. You're more likely to hear them than see them. They seem to love singing to the moon. What would a Western movie be without the sound of coyotes? If you hear one of those moon songs you can try singing back to a coyote. They will often answer your call.
Native Americans greatly admired coyotes. A common character in their stories, Coyote sometimes plays the part of a man, sometimes an animal, and sometimes a god. The creation story of the Nez Perce involves Coyote tricking a monster into swallowing him. Coyote frees all the animals the monster had swallowed and cuts up its parts to form many tribes saving the heart of the monster for the creation of the Nez Perce.
You can see the Heart of the Monster near Kamiah, Idaho, where the National Park Service retells that Coyote story.
Coyotes aren't picky eaters. They consume mostly small rodents and rabbits, but they seldom turn up their nose at any meal, animal or vegetable. They would love to eat what your dog eats.
Coyotes are a lot like dogs. They're intelligent. They bark like dogs, and they look a lot like Bowser and ol' Blue, although a coyote's nose is pointier than most dogs, and his tail bushier. They are related closely enough to cross breed with domestic dogs.
When they run--at speeds up to 40 miles per hour--coyotes hold their tail down between their hind legs. They share that almost unique trait with only one other dog-like creature, the red wolf.
Coyotes are typically shy, nocturnal creatures. You're more likely to hear them than see them. They seem to love singing to the moon. What would a Western movie be without the sound of coyotes? If you hear one of those moon songs you can try singing back to a coyote. They will often answer your call.
Native Americans greatly admired coyotes. A common character in their stories, Coyote sometimes plays the part of a man, sometimes an animal, and sometimes a god. The creation story of the Nez Perce involves Coyote tricking a monster into swallowing him. Coyote frees all the animals the monster had swallowed and cuts up its parts to form many tribes saving the heart of the monster for the creation of the Nez Perce.
You can see the Heart of the Monster near Kamiah, Idaho, where the National Park Service retells that Coyote story.
Heart of the Monster, with a ghostly coyote in the foreground.
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