Like the wolf, the coyote's best known trait is its cry and bark. Its main cry includes both yelping and howling. The coyote has a carefree spirit, is fond of playing with other coyotes and even plays with its prey before devouring it. The coyote's senses of hearing and smell are so well developed that a sudden odor or noise can make it change its course in mid-step. It is a remarkably hard runner with incredible stamina.
Coyotes are, on the whole, monogamous, and couples remain together for many years.
During mating season, males compete for the females' favors, staging howling contests that sometimes end in battle. The mating takes place in early spring and gestation lasts 60-63 days. Pups are born in a den dug into a hillside or steep bank. Sometimes dens are enlarged marmot or squirrel burrows. To be on the safe side, the female prepares alternative lodgings to enable her family to move to another refuge should trouble occur.