The coyote, Canis latrans, is a highly adaptable canine native to North America, often mistakenly thought to be confined to the deserts and open plains of the Western United States. The species has dramatically expanded its geographic distribution over the last century, spanning the entire continent from coast to coast and from Central America deep into Canada.
The Near-Universal Presence
Coyotes now inhabit virtually every ecological niche across the contiguous United States, making them the most widely distributed canid species in North America. Their range extends from the Pacific coastline to the Atlantic beaches and from the boreal forests of Canada down to Panama. They have successfully colonized nearly every state, demonstrating a remarkable tolerance for diverse climates and habitats, including swamps, dense forests, and high mountains. The state of Hawaii is generally considered the only exception to their continental dominance.
How They Spread Across the Continent
Historically, the coyote’s range was restricted primarily to the open prairie, arid grasslands, and desert regions of the west-central portion of the continent. Their dramatic, century-long expansion eastward was primarily a consequence of human activity that inadvertently created a massive ecological opportunity for the species. The most significant factor was the widespread, systematic extirpation of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) across much of the United States.
Wolves act as apex predators, suppressing coyote populations through direct predation and competition, a phenomenon known as mesocarnivore release. Once this dominant competitor was removed, the smaller, more flexible coyote was able to enter and colonize the vacated forest biomes of the East. Human land-use changes, such as the conversion of dense eastern forests into fragmented agricultural and suburban landscapes, also favored the coyote’s generalist nature. This new environment offered abundant small prey, like rodents and rabbits, and provided the necessary cover for a mid-sized predator.
Thriving in Urban and Suburban Environments
The coyote’s current success is linked to its proficiency at living in environments dominated by human settlements. In populated areas, coyotes exhibit behavioral plasticity, adapting their activity patterns to minimize conflict and maximize resource exploitation. They often shift from being active during the day in rural areas to being predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular in cities, moving mostly at dawn and dusk to avoid human encounters.
Urban coyotes utilize linear green spaces, such as parks, cemeteries, and golf courses, as well as infrastructure like railroad tracks and storm drains, as secure travel corridors. Their diet in these environments becomes highly opportunistic, relying heavily on small prey like rodents and rabbits, but also incorporating anthropogenic food sources such as fruit, unsecured garbage, and pet food left outdoors.