The eastern coyote has stirred as much interest and emotion as any other animal in Pennsylvania. Seeing a coyote or hearing the howl of this wild, wily animal is a great reward of nature to many people. Others fear this animal just knowing it is in the wild. Some sportsmen hate coyotes because they think the predators kill too many game animals. Trappers and hunters find coyotes to be especially challenging.
Some farmers lose livestock due to coyote predation.
The coyote has been referred to as the brush wolf, prairie wolf, coy-dog and eastern coyote. Recent research shows the eastern coyote is an immigrant whose origin may have involved interbreeding between coyotes and gray wolves. Other studies indicate that the eastern coyote is intermediate in size and shape between gray wolves and western coyotes. As a result, the eastern coyote exhibits different behavior, habitat use, pelt coloration, prey preferences and home range sizes from its western cousin. The eastern coyote is the largest canine found in Pennsylvania.