Height 23 in. Typical diet Rabbits , mice, and other small mammals, as well as birds, frogs, toads, snakes, insects, deer carrion, and many kinds of fruit. Coyotes are one of the fastest species of canids, but unlike most canids, they run with their tails down. They typically hunt alone, but sometimes several individuals hunt cooperatively in a small pack. When coyotes hunt as a pack, they either pursue the prey in relays in order to tire it or have one coyote chase the prey towards the others who are hiding in ambush.
Coyotes readily enter water in pursuit of their prey.
Social and reproductive aspects Coyotes may remain with the same mate for several years or for life when populations are low. The female rears her young in a den, usually located in a vacant burrow, cave, log, or culvert. The female sometimes digs her own den. If the den is disturbed, she will transfer her pups to another. Coyotes threaten the restoration of the endangered red wolf in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge .