These pressures would either destroy a species, or select for characteristics like cleverness, wariness, heightened senses and speed. Though always thought of as loners, coyote social structure depends on available resources. A mated pair and their young are the basic social unit. Where large mammals are abundant, coyotes will live in a pack - an extended family consisting of a breeding pair, their pups and their young from previous years. Communication among coyotes is the stuff of legends.
Coyotes have one of the most complex communication systems of any North American mammal.
They use body posture, vocalizations and facial expression. Howling may reaffirm bonds between the pack and declare territory, as well as communicate position and hunting success to other coyotes. Or sometimes it may just announce the emotional state of the singer. Controversy over coyotes continues, as stock raisers lobby for renewed control efforts and environmentalists hold the line on protection of predators. Yet even those who regard the coyote as an enemy often have a soft spot for the song dog of the West.