The coyote or "little wolf" as the Native Americans call it is a member of the dog family. Coyotes are the topic of many Native American folklore tales.  Its name comes from the Aztec word "coyotl." While it’s scientific name is "canis latrans" which means "barking dog."

The coyote is known as the “Desert Wolf” even though it is not a wolf. Coyotes are much smaller than a wolf and slightly larger than a fox. They also differ from dogs and wolves by their tails. Wolves tend to carry their tails high just like dogs while coyotes carry their tails low, especially while running, or loping. Even though coyotes howl, their howl differs from a wolf’s howl. Coyotes tend to yip and yelp at a start of a howl and after a howl. Whereas a dog or wolf howl does not involve barks or yips.
Have you ever heard a pack of coyotes howl at night or soon after the sun has set? Next time you hear them, try howling back. There have been reports of coyotes that will call back to humans even though they know that the humans are not another howling coyote.

The coyote stands less than 2 feet tall and varies in color from white-gray to tan with sometimes a reddish tint to its coat. A coyote's ears and nose appear long and pointed, especially in relation to the size of its head. It weighs between 20 to 50 lbs. The coyote can be identified by its thick bushy tail, which it often holds low to the ground.

Coyotes are nocturnal animals which mean they are active at night. If man does not threaten them they will hunt during the day. The coyote is Omnivorous. Omnivorous means they will eat fruits, grasses, and vegetables along with the meat of small mammals.  They will sometimes hunt in packs but often hunt alone. The coyote has a bad reputation for killing sheep and other livestock, however, studies show that livestock accounts for only 14 percent of the coyotes' diet.

Coyotes mate for life.  Between January and March is the time they will mate.  Most do not breed until they are two years old. The female finds and maintains the den. They will usually dig their own dens but sometimes they use an old hole from another animal or use a natural hole.  Dens are usually hidden in desert foliage from predators.

Females are pregnant for up to two months. In either April or May one to twelve pups are born. They are born blind and helpless. Both the mother and father hunt and feed the young. After three weeks of birth the pups leave the den under close watch of the parents. When the pups are eight to twelve weeks old they are taught to hunt. Families stay together through the summer but the offspring leaves the parents to find their own territories by fall. They will usually relocate within ten miles of their birth den. Between 50 to 70 percent of the pups die before adulthood. Of the 80% of the young that die is the cause of humans, either by hunting practices or poison. Coyotes can live to be eight to ten years old.

Coyotes have two howling seasons. The first is in January and February. When this howling occurs they are trying to find a mate. The second season is in September and October. During this period the female is calling to her offspring. The young will then call back in unison.

Many Native American cultures portray the Coyote as a trickster, clown, or as The Creator, a culture hero. The coyote is often playing tricks or teaching lessons by examples.