This permanent resident throughout the state utilizes almost all habitats and successional stages. They frequent open brush, scrub, shrub, and herbaceous habitats, and may be associated opportunistically with agriculture lands. In addition, they may be found in younger stands of deciduous and conifer forests and woodlands with low to intermediate canopy and shrub and grass understory. Presence of free water for drinking is the only restriction. Cover may be taken in natural cavities, brushy stands of vegetation, and suitable soils which allow excavation of dens.
Activity occurs throughout all months of the year.
Most activity tends to be at dusk, dawn, or throughout the night but they occasionally may be active during the daylight. The coyote is an omnivorous opportunist and a very adaptable predator. They eat primarily mice, rats, ground squirrels, gophers, lagomorphs, and carrion. Some insects, reptiles, amphibians, fruits, and occasionally birds, their eggs, and deer fawns may be taken as well. They also have been known to take sheep and domestic fowl.