Coyote behavioral response to potential prey across space and time
Coyote behavior and the choices they make about where to live and roam are central to understanding their ecology. However, as adaptable animals that can thrive in various environments, it’s often challenging to predict their movements and the impacts of their choices.
Coyotes are known as ‘generalist predators’, meaning they have a varied diet and can switch between different food sources based on availability. This adaptability makes it difficult to establish clear links between their behavior and food sources in their habitats. Due to the easy availability of landscape level data on vegetation types (satellite-derived landcover data), most research has focused on interpreting coyote space use and behavior relative to vegetation types instead of prey availability.
In Florida, coyotes have become more prevalent since the mid-1990s. Despite this, our understanding of their behavior in the state is limited. We aim to change this by using advanced GPS technology and accelerometers to monitor both coyote behavior and their selection of resources in real-time.
Coyotes are often seen as a threat by livestock producers, particularly as a source of mortality for young calves. It’s estimated that 25% of calf loss in Florida is attributed to predation, with coyotes often blamed. While field studies have been inconclusive on the direct impacts of coyotes on calves, coyotes do spend time in pastures and could indirectly affect calves through increased stress and reduced growth rates. Understanding how coyotes use pastures and whether that use is influenced by other factors, such as the presence of cows and the natural prey landscape, is crucial for reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Our project takes place at the DeLuca Preserve, a living laboratory where we can deepen our knowledge of ecological relationships. The project builds on several ongoing projects at the preserve, allowing us to link coyote behavior and resource selection to the presence of cows and other grazing management decisions. We will also be able to estimate prey landscapes of both specific prey species and the general prey base using data derived from cameras and acoustic recording units currently deployed at the preserve.
Coyotes are known as ‘generalist predators’, meaning they have a varied diet and can switch between different food sources based on availability. This adaptability makes it difficult to establish clear links between their behavior and food sources in their habitats. Due to the easy availability of landscape level data on vegetation types (satellite-derived landcover data), most research has focused on interpreting coyote space use and behavior relative to vegetation types instead of prey availability.
In Florida, coyotes have become more prevalent since the mid-1990s. Despite this, our understanding of their behavior in the state is limited. We aim to change this by using advanced GPS technology and accelerometers to monitor both coyote behavior and their selection of resources in real-time.
Coyotes are often seen as a threat by livestock producers, particularly as a source of mortality for young calves. It’s estimated that 25% of calf loss in Florida is attributed to predation, with coyotes often blamed. While field studies have been inconclusive on the direct impacts of coyotes on calves, coyotes do spend time in pastures and could indirectly affect calves through increased stress and reduced growth rates. Understanding how coyotes use pastures and whether that use is influenced by other factors, such as the presence of cows and the natural prey landscape, is crucial for reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Our project takes place at the DeLuca Preserve, a living laboratory where we can deepen our knowledge of ecological relationships. The project builds on several ongoing projects at the preserve, allowing us to link coyote behavior and resource selection to the presence of cows and other grazing management decisions. We will also be able to estimate prey landscapes of both specific prey species and the general prey base using data derived from cameras and acoustic recording units currently deployed at the preserve.