Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Diet of Coyotes in the Chicago Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are an opportunistic predator that have adapted to many human-modified environments. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are an increasing concern for managers in urban areas. We examined the spatial and temporal utilization and availability of natural and human-associated food for coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, USA. We collected 1429 coyote scats from May 2000 to December 2002, and conducted prey surveys in 2002, in 4 sites that varied in their degree of urban development. Dominant food items included small rodents, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fruit, eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and birds. Their availability and occurrence in scats varied among sites and seasons. The occurrence of human-associated food items, which was only found in significant amounts in the most developed site, varied seasonally (2-25%). Because coyotes in less-developed areas had lower dietary diversity, these coyotes may have to venture into developed areas when there is a decline in the abundance of major prey species for that specific area.

Initial colonization of Long Island, New York by the eastern coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora, Canidae), including first record of breeding

“…Public opinion, even in urban areas, is largely against broad-scale lethal removal of coyotes and other wildlife (Elliot et al 2016). Other studies have found that, excepting cases of food-conditioning, urban and suburban coyotes tend to shift their activity to be largely nocturnal, concentrate their activity in open spaces, maintain a largely non-anthropogenic diet, and avoid humans (Atkinson and Shackleton 1991, Quinn 1997, McClennen et al 2001, Tigas et al 2002, Riley et al 2003, Atwood et al 2004, Morey et al 2007, Gehrt et al 2009, Lombardi et al 2017. In this case, we received numerous-albeit unconfirmed-reports that this pair of coyotes had lived and bred for several years in the original 7.64 ha woodlot and, we speculate, only became visible to officials and the larger community once their territory was developed and they were forced to move their 8 young pups out of the woodlot.…”

Seasonal Food Habits of the Coyote in the South Carolina Coastal Plain

“…Anthropogenic items (trash, pets, etc. ) commonly occur in the diets of urban coyotes (MacCracken 1982, Fedriani et al 2001, Morey et al 2007). Furthermore, one study in the Southeast suggests anthropogenic food items are used in similar frequencies across a range of rural and urban settings (Santana 2010).…”

Daytime cover, diet and space-use of golden jackals (Canis aureus) in agro-ecosystems of Bangladesh

“…The implication is that rats are the preferred food source where they are available. Similarly, urban coyotes have been reported to prey primarily on small mammals (Morey et al 2007).…”