Home range size, vegetation density, and season influences prey use by coyotes (Canis latrans).

ABSTRACT: To ensure reproductive success, Canis species establish contiguous mosaics of territories in suitable habitats to partition space and defend limiting resources. Consequently, Canis species can exert strong effects on prey populations locally because of their year-round maintenance of territories. We assessed prey use by coyotes (Canis latrans) by sampling scats from within known territories in southeastern Alabama and the Savannah River area of Georgia and South Carolina. We accounted for the size and habitat composition of coyote home ranges to investigate the influence of space use, vegetation density, and habitat type on coyote diets. Coyote use of prey was influenced by a combination of mean monthly temperature, home range size, vegetation density, and hardwood forests. For example, co

SUBMITTER: Ward JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6179196 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature