|
The coyote's name is derived from the Aztec word "coyotl". It is a member of the dog family (canids) which includes wolves, dogs and foxes, and resembles a small German Shepherd. Adults coyotes weigh an average of 20 to 35 pounds, with males being about 4 pounds heavier than females. Coyotes weighing over 50 pounds are more common in the northern and northeastern portions of their range than elsewhere. An adult coyote is four to five feet long from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail.
In Nebraska, coyote pelts show a great variety of color and texture. Eastern Nebraska coyotes generally have a coarse coat that is brownish gray to buff in color, while coyotes from the Sandhills and Panhandle are much lighter gray with dense, soft underfur.
Coyote tracks are more elongated than dog tracks and are about 1 Ih times as long as they are wide. Coyotes have bushy black-tipped tails, broad, pointed, erect ears and yellow eyes. They have relatively large brains, and exceptional senses of smell, sight and hearing.
Although coyotes avoid wolves and dogs under normal conditions, they occasionally mate with them and create hybrid offspring that are usually larger than a typical coyote. This usually happens where wolf densities are low or on the edge of the coyote's range.
Distribution and abundance
During the early 1800's, coyotes were limited to the Great Plains and western regions of North America. Since then, they have expanded their range north and east. This is primarily the result of the eradication of wolves by humans and the coyote's ability to adapt to various habitats, including living very close to human populations.
Coyotes in New England have hybridized with gray wolves and are generally larger than western coyotes. Range expansion in the southeastern United States has been aided by translocation for sport hunting.
Coyotes are generally more abundant in the Southwest and Midwest than in otha regions of North America In Nebraska, coyotes are more abundant in western Nebraska and the Sandhills, regions where ranching predominates over crop farming.
Habitat and home
Coyotes are extremely adaptable and live in a wide variety of vegetative types, from grassland to northern boreal forest. Almost any area that supports good populations of small prey will support coyotes. As prey abundance increases, coyote abundance generally increases.
Coyotes require a minimum of shelter during most of the year. They usually simply curl up in a concealed, protected spot, though they do use dens for whelping and rearing pups. A coyote seldom digs its own den, instead, it uses natural cavities or modifies abandoned woodchuck or badger dens. The female coyote usually selects several den sites in concealed locations and moves her litter if she is disturbed in one location.
Habits
The coyote is perhaps the most vocal mammal in Nebraska. Its howling and yipping serves to communicate with family members and to notify neighboring coyotes of its presence in the area. Numerous displays and postures are used to show antagonism, dominance and greetings.
Coyote densities have been reported as high as five animals per square mile in the southwestem United States, but are more likely to be one to two per square mile in Nebraska. Both parents help care for young and may mate for life. Home ranges are usually occupied by mated pairs although the male may move more extensively than the female. Coyotes are known to form packs consisting of the adult pair and young from more than one generation, although this seldom occurs in Nebraska. The size of the coyote's range depends on population density and varies between eight and 12 square miles. Where coyotes are numerous, their home ranges are small. A mated pair defends its home range from adjacent pairs but is somewhat tolerant of unmated transient coyotes that pass through the range. Unmated transient coyotes move great distances and comprise up to 20 percent of the total coyote population. A coyote marks his territory with scent by depositing droppings and urine on the perimeter of the area.
Coyotes may be active and observed throughout the day, but are most active at dusk and dawn. The daytime activity increases during breeding and pup rearing. Coyotes hunt in areas where small prey are likely to occur. They rely on sight, smell and sound to locate prey. Rabbits are typically flushed from cover and chased down and mice are usually caught by the coyote pouncing upon them with its front feet.
|
|
