Color and size are variable. Mountain coyotes are larger and have longer fur than the desert coyote. Coyotes are vocal at night - sounding a series of yaps, a long howl, and then short yaps. They hold their tail between their legs while running, and can reach speeds of 40 mph. Their population range continues to increase despite hunting. Coyotes make their dens along river banks, and well-drained sides of canyons and gulches - often enlarging badger or squirrel burrows. They are chiefly nocturnal but can be active at any time. Coyotes usually hunt in pairs, they are omnivorous, but focus on small rodents. They mate between January and February, bearing up to seven pups in a litter (born between April and May); raised by both parents. In the past, livestock losses blamed on coyotes have often been the work of wild dogs. More recently, coyotes have earned the protection of some ranchers since they kill many grass-eating rodents.