Editing Coyote (section)

==Description==
[[File:Coyote portrait.jpg|thumb|A closeup of a mountain coyote's (''C.{{nbsp}}l. lestes'') head]]

Coyote males average {{convert|8|to|20|kg|abbr=on}} in weight, while females average {{convert|7|to|18|kg|abbr=on}},  though size varies geographically. Northern subspecies, which average {{convert|18|kg|abbr=on}}, tend to grow larger than the southern subspecies of Mexico, which average {{convert|11.5|kg|abbr=on}}. Total length ranges on average from {{convert|1.0|to|1.35|m|abbr=on}}; comprising a tail length of {{convert|40|cm|abbr=on}}, with females being shorter in both body length and height.<ref name="bekoff1977"/> The largest coyote on record was a male killed near [[Afton, Wyoming]], on November{{nbsp}}19, 1937, which measured {{convert|1.5|m|abbr=on}} from nose to tail, and weighed {{convert|34|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="young48">{{Harvnb|Young|Jackson|1978|p=48}}</ref> Scent glands are located at the upper side of the base of the tail and are a bluish-black color.<ref name="young63"/>

{{Anchor|fur}}The color and texture of the coyote's fur vary somewhat geographically.<ref name="bekoff1977"/> The hair's predominant color is light gray and red or [[fulvous]], interspersed around the body with black and white. Coyotes living at high elevations tend to have more black and gray shades than their [[desert]]-dwelling counterparts, which are more fulvous or whitish-gray.<ref name="young50">{{Harvnb|Young|Jackson|1978|pp=50–53}}</ref> 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 (bristly).<ref name="young247">{{Harvnb|Young|Jackson|1978|p=247}}</ref> Generally, adult coyotes (including coywolf hybrids) have a sable coat color, dark neonatal coat color, bushy tail with an active [[supracaudal gland]], and a white facial mask.<ref name="fox105"/> [[Albinism]] is extremely rare in coyotes. Out of a total of 750,000 coyotes killed by federal and cooperative hunters between March 1938 and June 1945, only two were albinos.<ref name="young50"/>

The coyote is typically smaller than the gray wolf, but has longer ears and a relatively larger [[Neurocranium|braincase]],<ref name="bekoff1977">{{cite journal|author=Bekoff M. |year=1977|title=''Canis latrans''|journal=Mammalian Species|issue=79|pages=1–9|doi=10.2307/3503817|jstor=3503817|issn=1545-1410|oclc=46381503|doi-access=free}}</ref> as well as a thinner frame, face, and muzzle. The scent glands are smaller than the gray wolf's, but are the same color.<ref name="young63"/> Its fur color variation is much less varied than that of a wolf.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolf/documents/sharingtheland.pdf|year=2015|title=Sharing the Land with Wolves|publisher=Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref><!--not sure if this cites to Young 50 or not, needs verification--> The coyote also carries its tail downwards when running or walking, rather than horizontally as the wolf does.<ref name="cartaino16">{{Harvnb|Cartaino|2011|p=16}}</ref>

Coyote tracks can be distinguished from those of dogs by their more elongated, less rounded shape.<ref name="young59">{{Harvnb|Young|Jackson|1978|p=59}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter-url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=3-6WAwAAQBAJ|page=112}}|first=Stephen|last=Vantassel|chapter=Coyotes|year=2012|title=Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook|edition=3rd|publisher=Wildlife Control Consultant|page=112|isbn=978-0-9668582-5-9|oclc=794471798|location=Lincoln, Nebraska}}</ref> Unlike dogs, the upper canines of coyotes extend past the [[mental foramina]].<ref name="bekoff1977"/>