Can you spot the coyote?
Coyotes are famously stealthy, able to move through urban and suburban areas while rarely being noticed by people. And in forested areas? Good luck.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve posted this spot-the-coyote clip on Youtube this week that demonstrates how well the animals blend in. It's a quick clip. Have a look.
As it happens, coyotes are easier to spot when they stand and pose for the trail camera.
And if you're thinking, "Coyotes? Here?" Yep.
The animals have been moving into this part of the country over the last century. And there's research done by scientists who were/are at the State Museum that some of the coyotes in this part country are actually coyote/wolf hybrids (coywolves). A bunch of years ago one of the scientists, who studies urban wildlife, told us research indicated the Albany area is a "population sink" for coyotes -- they move in from more rural areas, but don't end lasting long because they get hit by cars.
Earlier this month in the Altamont Enterprise, Melissa Hale-Spencer wrote a really interesting article about coyotes in the Hill Towns.
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Comments
There is no such thing as a coyote / wolf hybrid. That 2009 paper is extreme speculation.
... said ace on Sep 27, 2016 at 2:57 PM | link
Moreso, anyone claiming to have encountered a "coydog" is completely wrong.
... said ace on Sep 27, 2016 at 2:59 PM | link
#teamcanislatrans
... said ethan on Sep 27, 2016 at 4:13 PM | link
Ace-
I'm fairly certain I've seen several papers discussing the presence of wolf DNA in eastern coyote populations. This is often cited as the reason that eastern coyotes are larger than their western brethren. I think the term "hybrid" may be a bit of a misnomer, but I've yet to see anything disproving the DNA analysis.
As for coydogs, yes, that term is completely invalid.
... said Corinne on Sep 27, 2016 at 4:20 PM | link