Normal litter size is two to 12, averaging about six. The gestation period is approximately 63 days. At birth, the young are blind and helpless. The eyes open at about 9 days of age and by October or November the young are difficult to distinguish from their parents. Few coyotes live more than 6-8 years in the wild.
Losses are due mainly to predation, parasites and disease, and man.
Mortality is particularly high for pups, who are vulnerable to hawks, owls, eagles, mountain lions, and even other coyotes. Hunting and trapping account for many adult deaths. In terms of economic importance, the coyote is the second most important furbearing animal in the state, exceeded only by the raccoon. John L. Tveten. This page is copyrighted 1994 by Texas Parks and Wildlife, Nongame and Urban Program.