Coyotes live in monogamy and become parents together

Coyotes are monogamous and mate for life. After finding a partner, a coyote pair sticks together for a very long time, according to a 2012 study of 18 litters of coyotes. This holds regardless of how many other possible partners are around. If the male passes away, the female coyote will probably move out of the region either right away or shortly after any pups become independent. Every year, the coyote breeding season lasts from January through March. Coyote females construct dens in the spring to get ready for their offspring. Females typically give birth to litters of six puppies after a gestation period of around 63 days. A litter refers to the collective of puppies.

In a pack, both the males and the females help care for the pups. In addition to helping to keep the female and the puppies safe from harm, the male will carry food to them. Coyote pups are blind when they are born in the den and completely dependent on their moms. After 10 days, their eyes open, and after a month, they start to leave the den. Females normally stay with their parents and serve as the foundation of a pack whereas young males typically leave their parents after nine months. Puppies mature sexually and achieve adulthood one year after birth. In the wild, coyotes normally live for 5 to 6 years, however, they have been known to live up to 12 years. According to IFAS, they can live longer in captivity, the longest known person lived for 18 to 19 years.