Coyote (Canis latrans) movements relative to cattle (Bos taurus) carcass areas

Authors

Jan F. Kamler, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Warren B. Ballard, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Rickey L. Gilliland, USDA Wildlife Services, Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas
Kevin Mote, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Brownwood, Texas

Abstract

Use of 2 cattle carcass areas was determined for radio-collared coyotes (Canis latrans) in northwest Texas from January 1999 to January 2000. When 0–3 dead cattle were located at the carcass areas, resident and transient coyotes visited the carcass areas 4% and 8% of the time, respectively. However, when 30–35 dead cattle were located at 1 carcass area due to a disease epizootic, resident and transient coyotes had increased visitation rates of 19% and 63%, respectively. Resident coyotes traveled as far as 12.2 km from the center of their home ranges, suggesting that carcass areas influenced residents over a 468-km² area. Transient coyotes traveled from as far as 20.5 km away, suggesting that carcass areas influenced transients over a 1320-km² area. Our results indicate that carcass areas can influence coyotes over large areas and may concentrate both resident and transient coyotes in relatively small areas, at least for short periods.

Recommended Citation

Kamler, Jan F.; Ballard, Warren B.; Gilliland, Rickey L.; and Mote, Kevin (2004) "Coyote (Canis latrans) movements relative to cattle (Bos taurus) carcass areas," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 64: No. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol64/iss1/7