Wet Coyote Pup At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Today, I’m sharing a cute—but very wet Coyote Pup I photographed last July at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Wet Coyote pup in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

That hot summer morning, my friend Steve Creek and I had one of this pup’s littermates walk up very close to us while we photographed the Coyote pups from the road. It was an unforgettable experience for both of us.

See my account of that experience: Coyote Pup Portrait From Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

And Steve’s too: An Encounter with a Curious Coyote Pup

We both took videos that morning, along with plenty of still photos of the Coyote pups.

Watching the pups play together through my viewfinder reminded me, once again, of how much these Coyotes are like our family dogs. Their tails wagged just as vigorously as my dogs did as pups.

But they’re wild and should be respected.

Coyotes provide a range of benefits to the wild areas they inhabit. 

Coyotes play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. One of their most important contributions is natural pest control.

By preying on rodents, rabbits, and other small mammals, they help regulate populations that might otherwise grow unchecked, which in turn protects vegetation from overgrazing.

Their role as scavengers is equally valuable, as they consume carrion and help prevent the spread of disease while keeping the environment cleaner.

Another way coyotes support ecosystems is by indirectly protecting bird populations.

They help control other predators like raccoons and skunks, which are known to raid nests and prey on eggs. In areas where coyotes are absent, these smaller predators can become more abundant, leading to declines in bird numbers.

Coyotes also contribute to plant regeneration by dispersing seeds through their droppings, particularly when they consume fruit and berries.

Beyond these roles, coyotes help maintain overall ecosystem stability.

In places where larger predators like wolves are no longer present, they take on part of that role by influencing prey populations and preventing imbalances that could disrupt the habitat.

Their adaptability and wide-ranging diet allow them to fill ecological gaps, making them an important species in maintaining the health of the wild landscapes they roam.

I’m glad I came across this photo again last evening—I meant to share it last year!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Coyote photos plus facts and information about this species.