The coyote, Canis latrans, also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America.

The name coyote is borrowed from Mexican Spanish, ultimately derived from the Nahuatl word cóyotl. Its scientific name means "barking dog" in Latin.

The color of the coyote's pelt varies from grayish brown to yellowish gray on the upper parts, while the throat and belly tend to have a buff or white color. The forelegs, sides of the head, muzzle and paws are reddish brown. The back has tawny-colored fur and long, black-tipped guard hairs that form a black dorsal stripe and a dark cross on the shoulder area.

The ears are proportionately large in relation to the head, while the feet are relatively small in relation to the rest of the body.

Coyotes typically grow to up to 76–86 cm in length, not counting a tail of 30–41 cm and stand about 58–66 cm at the shoulder and, on average, weigh from 6,8 to 21 kg.

Location: Yellowstone

Photographer © Karin Van Couwenberg