environment

10 Unique Facts About Coyotes

1. Coyotes put out fires.
Whether this is true or myth, there’s a fascinating story from Hope Ryden’s book God’s Dog. She witnessed a coyote actually putting out a small fire. A man lit an envelope on fire and tossed it near a coyote. The coyote jumped on it, stamping out the flames with her feet, then pushed the smoldering paper against the ground until the fire was completely out. Apparently, coyotes have a knack for putting out small fires. That’s pretty incredible!

2. Both male and female coyotes have strong parental instincts.
Coyotes are a team when it comes to raising their pups. Both mom and dad work together to protect and care for their young. The male brings food, sometimes even regurgitating it for the pups, and helps teach them how to hunt. Coyotes have also been known to adopt orphaned pups, showing how deeply they value family.

3. Coyotes mate for life.
Coyotes form strong lifelong bonds with their mates. They are known to be highly monogamous, staying with the same partner “till death do us part.” Only when a mate dies do they find a new partner. This loyalty is seen especially in urban coyote populations and is truly a beautiful natural bond.

4. Coyotes are endemic to North America.
Coyotes are native to and found only in North America. They’re one of seven canid species in Canada and have adapted remarkably well across the continent’s many habitats.

5. Coyotes only breed once a year.
Their breeding season happens between January and March, and pups are usually born in April or May. Like many other canids, coyotes have just one breeding cycle per year.

6. There are melanistic (black) coyotes.
Melanistic coyotes, or black coyotes, are real! They aren’t a separate species, just a color variation caused by a genetic mutation that increases dark pigment in their fur. This mutation isn’t unique to coyotes—it also shows up in domestic dogs and wolves.

7. Coyotes are closely related to wolves and domestic dogs.
Coyotes, wolves, and dogs all belong to the same family, Canidae, and share the genus Canis. Despite this close relationship, coyotes are their own distinct species.

8. Coyotes have expanded their territories dramatically.
Over the last few decades, coyotes have spread across North America faster than any other carnivore, moving into new areas and adapting to a wide variety of environments.

9. Coyotes have been on Earth way longer than humans.
Fossil records show coyotes have been around for approximately 740,000 to 850,000 years. In comparison, modern humans have only existed for about 300,000 years.

10. Coyotes are sacred beings in Diné (Navajo) culture.
In Navajo stories, Mąʼii (Coyote) is one of the first sacred animals. Alongside Áłtsé Hastiin (First Man) and Áłtsé Asdzą́ą́ (First Woman), Mąʼii played a major role in creating and ordering the world. Coyotes are seen as teachers and creators, representing the balance between chaos and harmony.

A Call to Protect Alberta’s Wildlife

I wanted to bring attention to a heartfelt and powerful open letter sent on May 5, 2025 by the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA), co-signed by scientists and community groups. It’s addressed to Minister Todd Loewen, asking him to rescind recent wildlife‑management changes that threaten Alberta’s keystone and vulnerable species

Here’s what they’re asking to be reversed:

  • Female cougar hunting quotas more than doubled
  • Six new cougar‑management areas opened with non-zero quotas
  • Expanded special‑licence hunting for at‑risk mountain goats
  • Legalized public hunting of “problem” grizzly bears, a Threatened species
  • Lifted quotas on furbearers such as wolverines, fishers, Canada lynx, and river otters

These decisions were made without proper scientific backing, public consultation, or respect for Indigenous and conservation voices.

AWA is clear: “Wildlife in Alberta is shared by all Albertans…decisions that affect wildlife—and especially keystone species—must be informed by the best available science”

Why this matters

Alberta’s wild lands aren’t just scenic backdrops—they’re living, breathing systems where every creature plays a part. Cougars, grizzly bears, wolverines, lynx… they help maintain ecological balance. When management decisions are made hastily or influenced by narrow interests, entire ecosystems suffer.

History shows the best way to protect wildlife isn’t needless hunting—it’s protecting habitat, consulting science, and nurturing coexistence.

What you can do

  1. Please sign and share the petition demanding the Alberta government revoke these harmful hunting and trapping changes:
    👉 Protect Alberta Wildlife – rescind unscientific hunting & trapping changes
  2. Spread the word—on social media, in your community, even in conversations over coffee. The more voices, the harder it is to ignore.

This isn’t just about policies on paper—it’s about every wild creature that still roams freely. Let’s demand decisions guided by science, transparency, and respect for all who share this land.

With hope and solidarity,
Kodkod 🐾

El Zorro Chilote: A Tiny Treasure at the Edge of the World

Photo of a zorro chilote (Darwin’s fox) shared by u/ErickYj on Reddit. Source

Have you ever heard of the zorro chilote? Also known as Darwin’s fox, this little zorro lives deep in the temperate rainforests of southern Chile. With dark fur, curious eyes, and a secretive nature, the zorro chilote is one of the most special creatures of our land. He’s tiny—smaller than most other foxes—and only found in a few places, like Chiloé Island and the Valdivian forests of the mainland.

What makes the zorro chilote unique isn’t just his size—it’s his wild, mysterious heart. He belongs only to Chile. Nowhere else in the world does this species exist. He walks silently through the shadows of the native forest, where trees drip with moss and the ground is soft with fallen leaves. Like the güiña (kodkod), he’s part of an ancient web of life that has existed for thousands of years.

But today, this beautiful fox is in danger.

With deforestation, development, and dogs introduced by humans, the zorro chilote has fewer places to hide and hunt. The species is now considered endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals believed to remain in the wild. His world is disappearing—and with it, a piece of our soul.

Zorro chilote with pup.
Image originally shared by ProAraucanía in 2013, no photographer credited.

How you can help

There are still ways to protect this little guardian of the forest:

  • Support WWF’s symbolic adoption program, where you can symbolically adopt a Darwin’s fox and help fund global conservation efforts: WWF Adoption Page
  • Donate to Chiloé Silvestre, a local grassroots organization in Chile that works on behalf of the zorro chilote and other native species: Chiloé Silvestre Website
  • Learn more and support Fauna Australis and ONG Convivencia Humano-Fauna, two other organizations committed to wildlife research and coexistence in southern Chile.

The zorro chilote may be small, but his spirit is mighty. Let’s help make sure this little fox has a future—wild, free, and protected.

Hidden Cruelty: Speaking Out Against Penned Dog Hunts in Ontario

By Kodkod | Coyote Pretty

There are still places in Canada where foxes, coyotes, and rabbits are locked inside fenced enclosures—not to be rehabilitated or protected, but to be hunted for sport.

In these penned hunting facilities, dogs are released to chase, terrorize, and often kill wild animals that have no way to escape. Hunters call it “training.” But investigations show the truth: it’s bloodsport. It’s cruelty. And it’s still happening.

Recently, Animal Justice filed a lawsuit against the Ontario government, challenging the issuance of three illegal licences that appear to allow penned hunting facilities to operate in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. These licenses permit the use of large hound breeds—such as foxhounds, coonhounds, and bloodhounds—to chase red foxes for “training” and competitions, despite clear regulations that prohibit this unless strict conditions are met. None of the three sites in question meet the legal pen size requirements.

An undercover investigation in 2023 by Animal Justice revealed that wild animals used as bait are routinely injured, mauled, and killed. Pen owners have admitted to replenishing wildlife throughout the year—foxes and coyotes caught and used again and again.

Worse still, no inspections have been conducted at these facilities for at least two years. The system is broken—and these animals are paying the price.

Ontario remains the only province in Canada that still allows this practice. Even most U.S. states have banned it.

This is not just a wildlife issue—it’s an animal cruelty crisis.

📣 Read more about the lawsuit and investigation: https://animaljustice.ca/media-releases/animal-justice-sues-ontario-over-cruel-penned-dog-hunting-licences

🧡 If you’re able, please support Animal Justice’s court battle here: https://animaljustice.ca/donate

Coyotes and foxes deserve better than this. So do the dogs forced to become weapons.

#CoyotePretty #AnimalJustice #StopPennedHunts #Coexistence