Wildlife Information
Coyote
Canis latrans
Description – A grizzled grey or reddish-grey coat with buff underparts, long, rusty or yellowish legs and a bushy tail characterize the coyote. They have arresting, yellow eyes and prominent ears. Average weight is 20-40 pounds.
Distribution – The coyote was originally native only to the prairies and arid west but as settlers moved across the country, altering the landscape and doing away with wolves, a new niche was opened up to the coyote. They now thrive in the Western Hemisphere from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans.
Biology – The coyote may pair for life and each year up to 19 young are born. Eating almost anything it can chew, coyote is a opportunistic and cunning hunter. Known to run up to 40 mph, they often combine efforts with 1 or 2 others when running their prey. The typical den is a wide mouthed tunnel, terminating in an enlarged nesting area. Predators once included the grizzly and black bears, mountain lions and wolves, but due to their declining populations these are no longer a threat. Since coyote pelts have become increasingly valuable, man is the major enemy.
“Front”
“Hind”
Tracks – The coyote track closely resembles that of a dog or fox although the coyote tends to follow a straight path across open areas where the others will wander or follow aspects of the landscape. The print is a rough oval shape with four toes bearing claw prints. The larger front foot has a much larger pad than the smaller rear foot.
Straddle: 10.5 – 15 cm (4.2 – 6 in)
Stride: 30 – 40 cm (12 – 16 in)
Track: 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long / 5.5 cm (2.2 in) wide
“Coyote Scat”
Coyote tracks taken during a search in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Description – The red fox is a small, doglike animal that is rusty-red with white underparts, chin and throat. The ears are prominent and the tail is long and bushy with a white tip. Backs of the ears, lower legs and the feet are black. The red fox goes through colour phases of black, silver, and mixed.
Distribution – The red fox prefers the edges of forests, tilled fields and near marshes but they can be found on farmland, beaches, prairies, woodlands and both alpine and arctic tundra.
Biology – After a 51-53 day gestation period, up to 10 kits are born. Because of its well-developed sense of hearing, sight, and smell the red fox is an efficient and lethal predator; being an omnivore it eats whatever is available including corn, berries, apples, grasses, birds and mammals. The fox has many enemies including coyote, lynx, and humans. It is also susceptible to rabies.
“Front”
“Hind”
Red Fox Tracks – The trail of the red fox generally follows fencelines and the edges of forests and fields in a straight line but this line may vary depending on the animals speed and gait. The print is usually smaller, longer and narrower than that of a dogs. The front print is wider and larger than the pointed hind print. The heel pad is an inverted V-shape with a unique calloused ridge across the center of the pad.
Straddle: 8 – 10.5 cm (3.2 – 4.2 in)
Stride: 30 – 40 cm (12 – 16 in)
Track: 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long / 5 cm (2 in) wide
“Red Fox Scat”
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