Females bear between 5-10 pups a year. The young will leave their mother when they are about a year old at which time they will disperse into a variety of habitats, such as chaparral, riparian, oak woodland, open fields and canyons. They live in all areas of San Diego county- from the desert to the ocean. A typical diet will consist of whatever is easiest to get. Being omnivores they will eat rodents, insects, rabbits, birds, garbage, dog food, fruits and berries.
Coyotes are very important in the control of the rodent population.
As urban residents they will consume cats , as well as livestock. Coyotes are not vicious killers, just opportunists, taking whatever happens to be easiest. Territories can extend up to 25 or 30 miles with individuals having been known to travel up to 400 miles. The territorial boundaries are marked by urine and feces, with the male having a slightly larger territory than the female. Mating takes place in January-February producing only one litter during the year.