Canis latrans
Appearance: Coyotes are smaller than gray wolves but larger than foxes. Their fur ranges in color from reddish to brown and yellowish to gray. They haveprominent ears, rust-colored legs, and a bushy tail with a black tip. Adults are generally three to four feet in length and weigh 20 to 40 pounds. They are often heard more than they are seen. Their high-pitched howls and barks are used to communicate their position, confirm hunting success, or to reinforce social bonds.
Range: Coyotes thrive in areas with a diversity of habitats including brushy country, ravines, thickets, and small woodlots. They are most active at night and can live alone, in pairs, or in loosely knit packs of non-breeding animals. Their only serious predator is humans, who hunt them with dogs and guns; however, they have been able to maintain their population numbers due to their high adaptability.
Diet: Most humans are fearful of predatory animals. Part of the stigma against coyotes is their occasional feeding on domestic poultry and livestock. However, about three-fourths of their diet consists of rodents, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, and squirrels. They will also eat insects, fruits, berries, seeds, grasses, and dead animal matter.
Beatrice
Bea was wild born and came to the WNC Nature Center in April 2006. At just 2 weeks old, she and her brother were orphaned after their mother was killed. When Bea arrived at the Nature Center, her eyes were not even open yet. Since she was so young when her mother died, she never learned survival skills and does not fear humans.
Bea loves to interact with the animal keepers. In the mornings, she can be seen playing, and she loves pieces of frozen banana as enrichment.