- Courtesy of Texas DSHS
The common name, coyote, comes from the word used by Mexico’s Nahuati Indians, coyoti. The scientific name literally means “barking dog”. Known as opportunistic predators, coyotes use keen hearing and an excellent sense of smell combined with their sharp eyesight to find their next meal. They avoid areas where there are wolves and extension of their range northward may be the result of settling in habitats where wolf populations have been eliminated.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Throughout all of the United States, southern and south-central Canada, Mexico and into northern Central America
- Amazing Facts
Coyotes can run at a speed of 64 km/hr (40 mph) and can easily leap a fence or wall that is 2.4 m (8 ft) high
- At the Aquarium
The coyote is illustrated on The Wave's mosaic tile mural, Rios de la Vida (Rivers of Life) . The fountain, mural, and accompanying graphics illustrate the story of our Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers. Although not on exhibit in the Aquarium, this mammal is included in our website animal database to expand on the information touched on in The Wave fountain exhibit.