Species Guide: Coyote (Canis latrans)Family: Canidae The Coyote is one of North America’s most controversial mammals. Native to the continent and closely related to wolves and dogs, coyotes have expanded their range over the past two centuries. Once found mainly in the plains and deserts of the American West, they now inhabit nearly the entire United States. Ranchers and farmers view them as destructive predators, as they sometimes prey on livestock. Many suburban residents dislike coyotes, worried about pets or encounters in the neighborhood. Ecologists and wildlife biologists view coyotes as keystone species, important for regulating rodent populations and maintaining …