Yoda, and his sister, Luna were born at the Wildlife Waystation in 1994. Their parents came to the Wildlife Waystation from a private owner who could no longer care for them.

Raised among people, Yoda has an unusually calm and gentle disposition for a coyote. He enjoys a great deal of tender, loving care from his volunteer handlers. Yoda’s favorite activities are taking long walks and being groomed from head to toe with a brush and comb.

Yoda is very intelligent, and participates in educational events as an ambassador for his species. He and Luna still share an enclosure.

Yoda the Coyote

The coyote, or Canis latrans, is a member of the Canidae family. Its range now extends throughout most of North America and Central America. Unlike most Canidae species, the coyote’s range and population are on the rise, primarily due to its strong ability to adapt to changing environments and the decline of its larger predators, such as the wolf.

The average male coyote weighs 25 pounds; the females are generally smaller. Coyotes mate for life and live in small packs of closely related members. Their natural diet includes small rodents, reptiles, insects and vegetation; however, they are opportunistic foragers and will eat almost anything.

Coyotes benefit the environment by keeping populations of rodents and other small mammals in balance. People who are in the natural territory of coyotes should keep food, garbage and pets in a secure place, particularly after dark.