Coyotes (Canis latrans) are highly adaptable canids that use temporary shelters, known as whelp dens, to raise their young. These dens function as a protective nursery for the litter during their most vulnerable stage of development. Identifying a coyote den requires attention to both the physical structure of the burrow and the surrounding environmental context. Recognizing specific visual and contextual cues helps distinguish a coyote den from other animal burrows in the landscape.
The Structure and Key Features
A coyote den typically features a single, prominent entrance leading to an underground chamber, though multiple escape tunnels may be present and are often well-hidden. The main opening measures between 12 and 14.5 inches high and may appear more triangular or vertically elongated than perfectly round. This vertical shape is thought to accommodate the coyote’s long legs.
The most telling sign of an active den is the presence of a “dirt apron,” a mound of excavated soil immediately outside the entrance. This apron often shows signs of wear from the parents’ repeated entry and exit. Closer inspection of the surrounding area may reveal evidence of occupancy, such as fresh coyote tracks, shed fur, or scat used to mark the territory near the burrow opening. The tunnel behind the entrance can extend 10 to 30 feet, leading to a main nesting chamber located roughly 4 to 10 feet below the surface.
Typical Den Locations
Coyotes are highly adaptable in selecting den sites, prioritizing secluded areas with good drainage and overhead cover. In natural habitats, they frequently choose locations offering elevation and concealment, such as brushy slopes, sandy hillsides, stream banks, and rocky outcrops. A slope helps prevent the den from flooding.
Coyotes often conserve energy by taking over and enlarging existing burrows made by other animals, such as badgers, woodchucks, or foxes, rather than digging a new den from scratch. In urban and suburban environments, coyotes utilize man-made structures for shelter. Common locations include spaces beneath abandoned sheds, decks, and thick, overgrown vegetation in yards or parks.
Differentiating Coyote Dens from Other Burrows
Coyote dens are distinguished from burrows of other medium-sized mammals primarily by the size of the entrance. The opening of a woodchuck or marmot burrow is significantly smaller, built only to accommodate the animal itself. A fox den, while similar in function, typically features an entrance measuring only 7 to 8 inches high, noticeably smaller than a coyote’s.
A significant structural difference is the number of entrances. While a coyote den often has one main, conspicuous entrance, a fox den is commonly designed with multiple escape routes, usually at least two or three openings that serve as emergency exits. The larger size and more obvious dirt apron of the coyote den, coupled with larger tracks, serve as a clear identification guide.
Seasonal Use of Dens
Coyote den usage is a temporary, seasonal behavior tied specifically to the birth and early rearing of the pups. These burrows are used almost exclusively during the pupping season, which typically runs from late winter or early spring through the summer months. Coyotes are generally nomadic and rarely use a den year-round, preferring to sleep above ground in the open.
The activity level around the den peaks when the pups are newly born and entirely dependent on the parents for food and protection. Once the pups reach approximately three to four months of age, they are large enough to begin traveling with the adults, and the family unit abandons the underground den. The family may also move the pups to secondary, temporary dens within their territory to avoid the buildup of parasites or in response to disturbances.