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Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Diet of Coyotes in the Chicago Metropolitan Area
- Abstract::
- Coyotes (Canis latrans) are an opportunistic predator that have adapted to many human-modified environments. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are an increasing concern for managers in urban areas. We examined the spatial and temporal utilization and availability of natural and human-associated food for coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, USA. We collected 1429 coyote scats from May 2000 to December 2002, and conducted prey surveys in 2002, in 4 sites that varied in their degree of urban development. Dominant food items included small rodents, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fruit, eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and birds. Their availability and occurrence in scats varied among sites and seasons. The occurrence of human-associated food items, which was only found in significant amounts in the most developed site, varied seasonally (2-25%). Because coyotes in less-developed areas had lower dietary diversity, these coyotes may have to venture into developed areas when there is a decline in the abundance of major prey species for that specific area.
- Author(s):
- Morey, P.S. , Gese, E.M. , Gehrt, S.
- Subject(s):
- Canis latrans , urban areas , feeding preferences , predator-prey relationships , rodents , Odocoileus virginianus , Sylvilagus floridanus , wild birds , fruits (plant anatomy) , spatial variation , temporal variation , Illinois
- Description:
- Includes references
- Source:
- The American midland naturalist 2007 July, v. 158, issue 1
- Language:
- English
- Year:
- 2007
- Collection:
- Journal Articles, USDA Authors, Peer-Reviewed
- File:
- Download [PDF]
- Rights:
- Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
