Wiley
(Coyote)
Canis latrans
Coyotes
are one of the most successful large mammals to adapt to human interaction.
They thrive living off of human rubbish, a dependable food source. They are about 4 feet long including their
tail; they stand as high as 24 inches.
They can weigh from 20-50 pounds.
Their snout is long and slender.
Their eyes are a piercing yellow to amber color. If left to their own devices, they are great
at controlling ground squirrel and rodent populations. Sadly because of their reputation as a pest,
we are only able to rehab a few coyote puppies each season—only as many as we
have places to release them.
Wiley was a pet attempt gone wrong. Hw was confiscated from a family that had him as a young puppy. Once these puppies get accustomed to being around humans, they lose their fear of people—probably their one greatest survival skill. Feeling comfortable approaching people, especially children, creates a genuine danger for both the coyote and the person. Wiley has been at Critter Creek for many years and has grown into a strong, beautiful adult. When the wild coyotes in the surrounding hills start their howling, Wiley quickly joins in, setting off quite a chorus of conversation.