Coyote (Canis latrans)

NCWRC Coyote Species Profile (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Coyotes survive anywhere with food sources. Their habitat can range from agricultural fields to forests, to suburban and urban environments.

Mammals of North Carolina: Coyote
Prior to the middle 20th Century, coyotes occurred mainly from the middle parts of the continent westward to the Pacific Coast. The species has quickly spread to the Atlantic coast, and by the early 2000s, it likely occurs over all of NC.

Why Coyotes are Thriving in North Carolina (WUNC-TV)
Why has the coyote triumphed, while other predators have floundered? It’s partly because top predators like cougars and wolves were hunted to extinction that coyotes were able to survive.

North Carolina Coyote Distribution Maps 1938-2005 (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)

Coyotes 101 (Coyote Smarts)
The coyote is a native species that has increased its range as a result of human alteration of the landscape and human intolerance of wolves, the coyote’s natural enemy.

Know the Differences between Red Wolves and Coyotes (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
While they may look similar, coyotes and red wolves are considered two different species with different levels of protection.

Coyotes in North Carolina: History, Distribution and Status (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
This publication gives a history of coyotes in North Carolina including population estimates, dispersal, adaptability and diet.

Coexisting with Coyotes (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
While in most cases coyotes are harmless, people can take steps to prevent conflicts with these animals.

Coyote Hunting and Depradation Permits (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Learn about coyote hunting or depredation permit requirements.