Coyotes are a highly adaptable species increasingly present in urban and suburban environments across North America. Their ability to thrive near human development means understanding their seasonal behaviors is important for safe coexistence. The coyote life cycle follows a predictable annual pattern, and knowing the timing and implications of the breeding season helps people anticipate and react appropriately to increased coyote activity.
The Annual Reproductive Cycle
The coyote reproductive timeline ensures pups are born when food resources are becoming more abundant. The mating season typically occurs in late winter, spanning from January through March across most North American latitudes. Coyotes are monoestrous, meaning the female is fertile for only a single, brief period each year, limiting them to one litter annually. Following mating, the female undergoes a gestation period lasting approximately 63 days. This fixed biological timeline determines that the pups will arrive in the spring, allowing the pair to secure a den site in preparation for the birth.
Peak Pup Season and Denning
The birth of coyote pups generally occurs from late March through May, depending on the local climate and geography. A typical litter size ranges from four to seven pups, though this number can fluctuate based on population density and the availability of food. At birth, the pups are blind and completely dependent on their parents, necessitating the use of a den for their survival.
The den is a temporary structure, used only for the few weeks the pups are immobile, as coyotes otherwise sleep above ground. These dens are often repurposed burrows, hollow logs, rock crevices, or dense brush patches that offer concealment and protection. The female stays close to the den to nurse and protect the litter, while the male hunts and brings food back.
Raising Pups and Increased Activity
Once the pups are approximately six to eight weeks old (late spring or early summer), they begin to venture out of the den. The public is likely to notice increased coyote activity, as the parents must dramatically increase hunting efforts to feed the rapidly growing litter. Coyotes may be seen more frequently during the day as the need for food overrides their naturally crepuscular (dawn and dusk) habits.
Parental behavior becomes intensely protective during this pup-rearing phase, manifesting as increased territorial defensiveness. Coyotes may exhibit a behavior known as “escorting,” where they non-aggressively follow or herd people and especially dogs away from den sites or foraging areas. This is a defensive message meant to communicate that an animal or person is too close to the vulnerable pups.
Coexisting Safely During Pup Season
Understanding the heightened territoriality and increased need for food during pup season is the foundation for safe coexistence. Preventing conflicts begins with removing attractants that might draw coyotes into yards, such as securing trash and eliminating outdoor pet food sources. Intentional or unintentional feeding causes coyotes to lose their natural wariness of humans, leading to habituation and the majority of reported conflicts.
Pet owners should keep all dogs on short leashes and supervise them closely, as dogs are frequently perceived as a threat or competition to the pups. If a coyote approaches or attempts to escort a person, a technique called “hazing” should be employed to re-establish the animal’s natural fear. Hazing involves making oneself appear large, yelling, and making loud noises to startle the animal while slowly retreating from the area without running.