Coyotes are common throughout North America, both in wilderness and developed areas. Human encroachment has benefited coyotes in some ways unlike many species. Humans eliminated many of the wolf populations coyotes competed with, and clear-cutting of forests created favorable habitat for the small mammals coyotes prefer to hunt. Combined with their high reproductive rate and flexible diet, coyotes have thrived despite efforts from people to control their population. Coyotes hunt squirrels, mice, hares, birds, amphibians, and reptiles; they also regularly eat carrion. Though primarily carnivorous, they eat berries and other vegetation on occasion. Coyotes are similar in appearance to medium size dogs but are distinguished by their long, bushy tail. Their coat is greyish-tan in color, with lighter-colored underparts.