A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Why won't coyotes become extinct despite being hunted?

Best Answers

Coyotes evolved in a world full of things that could easily kill them. At the time of European contact, coyote suffered persecution from wolves, and even today, some cougars become experts at hunting them. read more

Coyotes were killed as intensively as wolves were when North Americans first encountered them. Wolves are actually quite specialized to hunting large prey. Ecologists have found a special size among predatory mammals, which winds up being 21–22 kilograms (44–46 pounds). Virtually every coyote in North America weighs less than 46 pounds. read more

Once the dire wolves, sabercats, and American lions went extinct, competition for prey ceased to be so intense and coyotes became smaller. Also, many of the large prey animals of the Ice Age – such as horses and camels – went extinct, too, meaning less food on the hoof for coyote packs. read more

Related Facts