Effect of Suburban Development on Density of Coyotes in Northwest Wyoming

Abstract

We compared relative densities of coyotes (Canis latrans) in a suburban/agricultural area to an adjacent undeveloped area in northwest Wyoming by skiing transects in areas after snowfall and recording number of tracks that crossed each transect. Relative density was the numbers of tracks on each transect divided by the number of hours since the last snowfall. This modification accounted for the increase in track numbers with increased time since last snowfall. The regression equation of study area, surface snow penetration, and night temperature versus relative track density accounted for 74 percent of variation in relative track density. At equal snow penetration and night temperature, the relative density of coyotes was greater in the suburban/agricultural area than the undeveloped area. The presence of remaining open spaces in the suburban/ agricultural area combined with high productivity due to both natural and anthropogenic food sources may account for this high relative track density. Coyote densities may increase with development until open space is no longer available to establish and maintain territories.