 | For an overview of coyotes in the Fallout series of games, see coyote. |
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Coyotes are creatures found in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.
Background[]
The ancestors of the coyote diverged from those of the gray wolf, 1-2 million years ago, with the modern species arising in North America during the Middle Pleistocene. It is highly flexible in social organization, living either in nuclear families or in loosely-knit packs of unrelated individuals. It has a varied diet consisting primarily of animal matter, though it may also eat fruit and vegetable matter on occasion. It is a very vocal animal, whose most iconic sound consists of a howl emitted by solitary individuals. Other than humans, cougars and gray wolves are the coyote's only serious enemies. Nevertheless, coyotes have on occasion mated with the latter species, producing hybrids colloquially called "coywolves".
The coyote is a prominent character in Native American folklore, usually depicted as a trickster who alternately assumes the form of an actual coyote or a man. As with other trickster figures, the coyote acts as a picaresque hero which rebels against social convention through deception and humor. The animal was especially respected in Mesoamerican cosmology as a symbol of military might, with some scholars having traced the origin of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl to a pre-Aztec coyote deity. After the European colonization of the Americas, it was reviled in Anglo-American culture as a cowardly and untrustworthy animal.
Characteristics[]
Biology[]
The coyote is typically smaller than the gray wolf, with longer ears and a larger braincase, as well as a thinner frame, face and muzzle. The coyote also carries its tail downwards when running or walking, rather than horizontally as the wolf does. Coyote tracks can be distinguished from those of dogs by their more elongated, less rounded shape. Scent glands are located at the upper side of the base of the tail. These glands are smaller than the gray wolf's, but are of the same bluish black color. Males average 8–20 kg (18–44 lb) in weight, while females average 7–18 kg (15–40 lb), though size varies geographically.
The color and texture of the coyote's fur varies geographically, though it is much less varied than the wolf's. The hair's predominant color is light gray and red or fulvous, interspersed around the body with black and white. Coyotes living on high elevations tend to have more black and gray shades than their desert-dwelling counterparts, which are more fulvous or whitish-gray. The coyote's fur consists of short, soft underfur and long, coarse guard hairs. The fur of northern subspecies is longer and denser than in southern forms, with the fur of some Mexican and Central American forms being almost hispid.
Like the golden jackal, the coyote is gregarious, but not as dependent on conspecifics as more social canid species like wolves are. This is likely linked to the fact that the coyote is not a specialized hunter of large prey as the latter species is. The basic social unit of a coyote pack is a nuclear family centered around a reproductive female. However, unrelated coyotes may join forces for companionship, or to bring down prey too large to attack singly. Such "non-family" packs are only temporary, and may consist of bachelor males, non-reproductive females and sub-adult young. Families are formed in midwinter. A single female in heat can attract up to seven reproductive males, which can follow her for as much as a month. Although there may be some squabbling among the males, once the female has selected a mate and copulates, the rejected males do not intervene, and move on once they detect other estrous females. The coyote is strictly monogamous, even in areas with high coyote densities and abundant food. Females that fail to mate sometimes assist their sisters or mothers in raising their pups, or will join their siblings until the next time they can mate. The newly mated pair then establish a territory and either construct their own den or clean out abandoned earths. During the pregnancy, the male frequently hunts alone and brings back food for the female. The female may line the den with dried grass or with fur pulled from her belly. The gestation period lasts 63 days, with an average litter size of six, though the number fluctuates depending on coyote population density and the abundance of food.
Individual feeding territories vary in size from 0.38 to 62 km2 (0.15 to 23.94 sq mi), with the general concentration of coyotes in a given area depending on food abundance, adequate denning sites, and competition with conspecifics and other predators. The coyote generally does not defend its territory outside of the denning season, and is much less aggressive towards intruders than the wolf is, typically chasing and sparring with them, but rarely killing them. Conflicts between coyotes can arise during times of food shortage. When coyotes use a den (usually the deserted holes of other species) when gestating and rearing young, though they may occasionally give birth under sagebrushes in the open. Coyote dens can be located in canyons, washouts, coulees, banks, rock bluffs, or level ground. Some dens have been found under abandoned homesteads, infrastructure, thickets and thistles. The den is continuously dug and cleaned out by the female until the pups are born. Should the den be disturbed or infested with fleas, the pups are moved into another earth. A coyote den can have several entrances and passages branching out from the main chamber. Coyote dens can usually be distinguished from those of small burrowing rodents by their rougher surroundings. A single den can be used year after year.
When hunting large prey, the coyote often works in pairs or in small groups. Younger animals usually avoid participating in such hunts, with the breeding pair typically doing most of the work. When attacking large prey, the coyote approaches from the front, lacerating its prey's head and throat. Like other canids, the coyote caches excess food. Although coyotes can live in large groups, small prey is typically caught singly. Coyotes sometimes urinate on their food, possibly to claim ownership over it.
Gameplay attributes[]
Coyotes are very territorial and will attack the player character if they stay near for too long. Coyotes are usually found in packs of up to three or four in the more desolate areas of the Mojave, especially caves. They are slightly stronger than dogs, but do about the same amount of damage.
They are not much of a threat to well armed players. Characters at lower levels or those playing on higher difficulty may have a difficult time, especially if taking on large groups. Additionally, coyotes bear no threat if the player has the Animal Friend perk.
Variants[]
Coyote[]
Regular coyotes are the most common of the coyote family. They can be found in almost every corner of the map, but primarily along the I-15 and the area between Goodsprings and the Yangtze Memorial. One group can be found down the hill from the entrance to the Hidden Supply Cave, and another group can be found close to the Canyon Wreckage entrance.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
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| Coyote 000e584e |
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Coyote den mother[]
Den mothers stay back while the others are off hunting and look after the pups. If any danger comes, they will protect their pups with their lives.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Den mother 00154a6f |
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Coyote pack alpha[]
Coyote pack alphas watch over the pack and protect them from dangers that may come their way.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote pack alpha 0015c64c |
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Coyote pup[]
The offspring of a coyote. They are smaller and weaker than normal coyotes, on par with radroaches in terms of durability, and are rarely a hassle even for low-leveled players. They generally stay close to the den mother. If the player gets too close they will attack along with their parents.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote pup 0014f47f |
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Notes[]
- Coyote den mothers and alpha males are significantly larger than they would appear in real life. In reality, they would appear slightly larger than a dog.
- Coyotes will sometimes go into Goodsprings and attack the folks.
Appearances[]
Coyotes appear in Fallout: New Vegas.
Gallery[]
A coyote in the Mojave Wasteland
