What Does “A Run of Coyotes” Mean?
“Run” points directly to coyotes’ genuine athletic ability, they’re capable of sustained speeds that can exceed 40 miles per hour in short bursts, and notable endurance that lets them cover significant ground while hunting or patrolling territory. That combination of speed and stamina makes coyotes effective at both chasing down fast prey and covering the large home ranges many populations maintain, particularly in more open or human-altered landscapes.
Coyotes also use this running ability defensively, and their speed and adaptability have played a real role in their remarkable success expanding across North America even as many other mid-sized predators have struggled against habitat loss and human pressure. “A run of coyotes” captures both the literal physical action and something of the species’ broader reputation for resilience, an animal built to keep moving, adapting, and covering ground under almost any circumstances.
Example: “A run of coyotes streaked across the open field, closing the distance on the fleeing jackrabbit fast.”
Related: Collective Nouns for Mammals · What Is a Group of Coyotes Called?