This morning, we had visits from both a red fox and a coyote, both likely on the prowl for a mate. Red foxes are generally monogamous, often forming long-term pairs, though males may seek extra mates once the primary female’s brief heat ends. Courtship starts in winter and includes hunting together, chasing, and playful interactions.​ The dominant male mates with the dominant vixen; pair bonds can last for life, but high mortality means many breeding pairs are newly formed each year.​ After mating, the vixen uses a den system; gestation is about 49–58 days, with typically one litter of 4–6 kits per year.​ Males often provision the female while she is confined to the den, then both parents may help feed and protect the young as they grow.​ In areas with abundant resources, one male may mate with multiple females, and subordinate females may share the territory and sometimes help rear kits.​

Coyotes are strongly monogamous, with alpha pairs usually staying together for life and forming the core of a territorial family group. Breeding occurs once per year, mainly mid‑January to mid‑February, because females are monestrous and fertile only during a short, roughly 10‑day estrus.​ Courtship includes play‑wrestling, chasing, grooming, and food sharing, which reinforce the pair‑bond before and during mating. Gestation lasts about 60–65 days, with pups born in spring; the pair chooses or excavates a den mainly for this season, otherwise living and resting above ground.​ The male commonly provisions the pregnant and nursing female, and later the pups; older offspring or pack members may also help rear the litter.​