A coyote is a hairy canine animal similar to a wolf. In fact, they are actually descended from gray wolves, but are usually smaller in build. They are usually found in the southwestern United States, Mexico and even Central America. Like wolves, coyotes are known for emitting a strong, singular howling noise.
The coyote is a prominent character in Native American folklore, usually depicted as a trickster who alternately assumes the form of an actual coyote or a man. As with other trickster figures, the coyote acts as a picaresque hero which rebels against social convention through deception and humor.
On the MTV television series Teen Wolf, the character of Malia Tate is a supernatural creature called a werecoyote. Unlike the werewolves presented on the show, Malia shifts in between human form and that of a fully grown coyote (the werewolves transform into a mid-range "Wolf Man" form on the series).