The coyote is a native to North America. It is a smaller, more basal animal than its close relative, the gray wolf, being roughly the North American equivalent to the Old World golden jackal, though it is larger and more predatory in nature. It is listed as “least concern” by the IUCN, on account of its wide distribution and abundance throughout North America, even southwards through Mexico and Central America. It is a highly versatile species, whose range has expanded amidst human environmental modification. Coyote males average 8–20 kg in weight, while females average 7–18 kg, though size varies geographically. Northern subspecies, which average 18 kg, tend to grow larger than the southern subspecies of Mexico, which average 11.5 kg. Body length ranges on average from 1 to 1.35 meters, and tail length 40 centimeters, with females being shorter in both body length and height. The largest coyote on record was a male killed near Afton, Wyoming on November 19, 1937 which measured 1.6 meters from nose to tail, and weighed 33.9 kilograms. Scent glands are located at the upper side of the base of the tail and are a bluish black color.
