Coyote (Canis latrans) habitat use, movement, and mortality patterns in Grand Teton National Park and suburban-agricultural areas of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Authors(s): S. Anderson and M. McGee

Publication:

Publisher:

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: final report

Location: Cheyenne Wyoming

Abstract: A study of coyote (Canis latrans) habitat use, movement, and mortality was conducted in Grand Teton National Park and suburban-agricultural land surrounding Jackson, Wyoming between September 1999 and August 2000. I investigated the differences between coyote habitat use, movement patterns, and survival in undeveloped and suburban-agricultural land. I tracked twenty-nine radio-collared coyotes using short interval telemetry relocations and triangulation as well as snow tracking to determine habitat use, movement patterns, and mortalities. Coyote habitat use and movement patterns varied between suburban-agricultural and undeveloped areas and between transient and resident social types in terms of habitat types, topography, and human developments. Coyote survival rates varied between suburban-agricultural areas and between transient and resident social types. Transient coyotes had the lower annual survival rates than residents. Coyotes in suburban-agricultural areas had lower annual survival rates than coyotes in undeveloped areas. This research provides a reference for future studies investigating the influence of human development and wolves (Canis lupus) on coyotes in Jackson Hole.

Keywords: animal, mammal, canine, Canidae, Canis latrans, coyote, habitat, management, behavior, mortality, population, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Teton County, Bridger-Teton National Forest, suburban area, human activity, migration, radio collar, wolf, Canis lupus