![]() Pup season is the only time coyotes will voluntarily use a den otherwise, coyotes usually sleep above ground in the open or in cover. In April, after a 62 to 65-day gestation period, the female will begin looking for existing dens or dig one herself. Therefore, a number of pairs have maintained bonds for multiple years (read the story about coyotes 1 and 115). Coyotes appear to be strongly monogamous and so far, bonds between alpha pairs have only been broken upon the death of one of the pair. Visit the new research page for information on a novel scientific procedure we are now using to further investigate diets.Ĭoyotes typically mate in February, however, only the alpha pair in a pack will mate and subordinates will usually help raise the young. While this only shows the most recent meal of any animal, when compared to many other mortalities, results are consistent. Stomach contents may provide the most exact picture of what a coyote is eating because it is not yet digested and still identifiable. Rodents are nearly always present in the diet, with a mixture of other items depending on the season. The diet results found by Morey is often mimicked by what is found through necropsy. For diet analysis, the stomach and intestinal tract are investigated to classify and quantify contents. These are either study animals that died or road-killed animals that are found even though they are dead, these coyotes still provide a wealth of knowledge about their lives. Apparently, the majority of coyotes in our study area do not, in fact, rely on pets or garbage for their diets.Īnother way coyote diets can be determined is by performing necropsies (like autopsies in people) of deceased coyotes. (Scats often have more than one diet item therefore, frequencies do not necessarily add up to 100%). The most common food items were small rodents (42%), fruit (23%), deer (22%), and rabbit (18%). After investigating 1,429 scats, he found that diet items varied across space and time, which reflects the flexible food habits of coyotes. Researcher Paul Morey analyzed scat (fecal matter) contents at different locations within our study area. Coyotes are generally scavengers and predators of small prey but can shift to large prey occasionally. Although coyotes are predators, they are also opportunistic feeders and shift their diets to take advantage of the most available prey. It was different looking than the small scroungy coyotes we see in pictures, but it wasn’t as big as what I think a wolf would be.Some people believe that urban coyotes primarily eat garbage and pets. I watched it for quite a while sitting by a pond and just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. A few years ago I saw a big grayish one with darker fur mixed throughout. I’ve seen some that obviously showed domestic dog characteristics and a a couple that looked like could easily pass for a small wolf. I thought the picture of the red wolf resembled the markings and head shape of the coyote in the op though it is significantly darker than most see here. ![]() NC.įrom what I understand the project hasn’t been successful as they are interbreeding with coyotes. That in itself stands out to me given the history.Ī while back I read about a red wolf breeding/reintroduction project in. ![]() ![]() The article in my original post is from I believe a National Park website or something similar and they are acknowledging wolf genetics and coyotes that are more than coyotes. The same is occurring with mountain lions, it’s currently in spin mode in light of on being hit on a road and another heavily publicized and reported incident of a F/W officer shooting a mountain lion out of a tree. On a local/regional level, the F/W dept was very slow to acknowledge the spread of black bears into our area, until they could no longer spin it. My personal belief is that there is something to it because it does seem logical to me based on what we are seeing locally. I’m in agreement with - Simme Valley I will follow the research on this subject.
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