September 28, 2020 | THE LAKER | Page 3
Living with Coyotes in New Hampshire Throw away your misconceptions By Mark Okrant Many of us have preconceived notions about coyotes. These range from the comical cartoon character, Wile E. Coyote, to misguided images of relentless, bloodthirsty predators. Eastern Coyotes are the product of migration and breeding with Eastern Wolves in Ontario. They are eight to 12 percent Eastern Timber Wolf, part dog, and the remainder is coyote. Weighing 35 to 60 pounds, and measuring five feet in length, they are nearly twice the size of their western cousins. The present population of Eastern Coyotes began to arrive in New Hampshire during the 1940s and 1950s, filling in a niche that had been created by elimination of wolves from the northeast. Several decades later, coyotes had established themselves as a vital constituent within the food chain. Today, there are approximately 5,000 coyotes living in New Hampshire. Coyotes are territorial animals. Their turf ranges in area from five to 25 square miles, which often places them near human enterprises, such as farms and housing developments. While many of us live within the territory of a pack of coyotes, most of us will never come into contact with them. A coyote pack will establish itself where an ample food supply and at least one den site are available. Once they have located themselves in an area, a pack of
The Eastern Coyote. (courtesy photo) coyotes will defend its territory against threats by outside packs, as well as other predatory animals. Coyotes living in captivity have exhibited lifespans of considerably more than a decade. However, among those living in the wild, the average lifespan is three to four years. This tells us a great deal about the perils of life for coyotes in the Granite State.
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At least half of a litter—four to six pups—will die from disease and other predators, especially weasels. Adult coyotes must face the gauntlet of disease, trapping, hunting, and being hit by motor vehicles. Coyotes are capable of thriving in a wide range of environs—urban, suburban, and rural areas. That they can do this is a tribute to their adaptability.
Unlike the wolves they replaced within the environmental niche, coyotes are generalists rather than specialists. While wolves failed to adapt once their environmental setting was disrupted, coyotes are able to live anywhere and adjust to vagaries in the local food supply. A period between January into March constitutes their breeding season. During this time, the pack’s alpha female and her mate will procreate; then, after a 63-day gestation period, the female will find a den and give birth to her pups. The female will remain in her den until mid-May, while the male and the pack aggressively protect the pups against predators. Under most circumstances, the alpha female will be the only coyote to produce pups. This is the pack’s way of assuring that enough food is available for the adult members and its new generation. Given the coyote’s well-deserved reputation as an adaptable hunter, it is only natural to be concerned about the clash between these animals that hunt 24 hours out of every day and their human neighbors. Coyotes will prey on sheep, chickens, and other farm animals, and will take a small dog or cat that is left unprotected. Therefore, in the face of threats from
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