A mother coyote traverses a vacant lot in Chicago. Chicago Tribune/Getty Images
We already know coyotes are wily. But did you know that they are monogamous and mate for life? Turns out that their propensity toward long-term commitment is what gives them a competitive advantage for survival. The abundance of food sources in urban areas allows the mama coyote to produce large litters, while the dedication of her faithful mate, a coequal and constant partner in pup-rearing, ensures a high survival rate. These crafty
Canis latrans have managed to expand their habitat from origins in the American Southwest to a ubiquitous presence in rural, suburban and urban environments throughout the entire continental United States — even densely populated cities like Atlanta, Chicago, New York and San Francisco.