Like jackals and wolves, the coyote is an opportunistic predator. Mammals, including carrion, generally make up over 90 percent of its diet. Ground squirrels, rabbits and mice predominate, but larger animals such as the Pronghorn antelope, deer and Rocky mountain sheep are included. Coyotes also eat fruit and insects. Small prey are hunted singly, but larger animals are hunted cooperatively.
Females produce one litter a year, averaging six pups per litter.
The young are born blind and helpless in a den and are nursed for a period Of 5-7 weeks. At three weeks pups begin to eat semisolid food regurgitated by both parents and other pack members of both sexes. Coyotes are now known to form packs similar to wolf-packs, in certain situations. It is usually the dominant male and female that breed. Pack members sleep, travel and hunt larger prey together and cooperate in territorial disputes and defense of carrion.