Coyotes (Canis latrans) play a significant role in both society and ecosystems.

Coyotes are apex predators and help regulate populations of small mammals, birds, and insects, which in turn helps control pests that could otherwise become overabundant, such as rodents (e.g., rats and mice).

Coyotes are also opportunistic scavengers. They contribute to the breakdown of organic material by feeding on carcasses, helping to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

By controlling populations of prey species, coyotes indirectly support the diversity of plant and animal life, as they help prevent overgrazing or depletion of plant species by herbivores.

Coyotes have demonstrated an impressive ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats, from rural wilderness areas to urban environments. This adaptability makes them a crucial part of many ecosystems, helping to keep certain species in check, even as human expansion alters their environment.

Coyotes help regulate populations of animals like deer, rodents, and smaller carnivores (e.g., foxes and raccoons). This is important because unchecked populations of these species could result in overgrazing, damage to crops, or the spread of diseases like Lyme disease from ticks.

In ecosystems where larger predators like wolves have been extirpated, coyotes often fill that ecological niche, acting as a stabilizing force in the absence of larger carnivores.

Coyotes are highly important both for their role in ecosystems and in society. They contribute to biodiversity, pest control, and nutrient recycling, and they also have cultural, educational, and symbolic value. While human-wildlife interactions with coyotes can be complex, they are generally beneficial to the health of natural systems.

“Totem #19: Stacked Coyotes, Desert Dusk” by wildlife artist Andrew Denman. Click here to learn more about this piece.