While hiking at Coyote Valley, I came across this valley coyote stalking and following its prey. It looked well fed and healthy. California coyotes (Canis latrans) typically weigh between 22 to 30 pounds, with California valley coyotes averaging around 30 pounds. They are highly adaptable animals known for their intelligence and social behaviour They resemble a small german Sheppard featuring a long snout, large erect ears, and a bushy black tipped tail. Their fur color varies from gray to reddish brown. There are four types of coyotes in California. The Desert Coyote (Canis Latrans ochropus) generally found in southern parts of California, specially across the Mojave and Colorado deserts. It is smaller and leaner, weighing between 18 to 25 pounds, an adaptation to the extreme heat and limited food supply of arid landscapes. The third is the Mountain Coyote (Canis latrans lestes) which is larger than its desert and valley counterparts, weighing between 30 to 45 pounds. Has a thick, dense coat raging from grayish-brown to silver-gray, with darker saddle markings on its back giving the animal a majestic appearance. The fourth California coyote is the Coastal Coyote (Canis latrans clepticus) found in the coastal regions of Santa Barbara up to Mendocino County. Its slightly smaller than the Mountain Coyote but heavier than the desert coyote, averaging 25 to 35 pounds.
