Coyote

A canine species that is indigenous to North America is the coyote (Canis latrans). It is smaller than the wolf, a near relative, and slightly smaller than the red and eastern wolves, another close relative. A behavioral ecologist once referred to the coyote as the American jackal because it is bigger and more predatory. The species has also gone by the names prairie wolf and brush wolf in the past.

Coyotes are infamously cunning and ruthless predators, yet they don't have particular food preferences. Both smaller creatures, like insects and mice, and larger ones, like deer, are included in their diet. If hares are present, they will happily hunt and consume them as well.

When it comes to speed, coyotes cannot compete with hares, but they can easily outwit their prey. Coyotes typically search for food in packs, but they don't always immediately kill their prey. They frequently work together as a team, with one coyote pursuing an animal until it is exhausted before another one discovers it later and attacks it when it is vulnerable. Their target will be drawn into a trap by similar means, where another coyote will be waiting for them. Similar to other hare predators, they often kill by burying their teeth into the animal's windpipe and letting it slowly die.

Coyotes usually drag the carcass of their slaughtered prey back to their den to feed their pups. Except for their speed, hares have limited protection against coyotes.