Testing the Responses of Coyotes and Other Predators to Odor Attractants

Turkowski, FJ; Popelka, ML; Green, BB; Bullard, Roger W.

doi:10.1520/stp34982s

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Since each species may differ in its trappability to both kinds of traps (Sauvajot et al 1997), indices of relative abundances were estimated separately for foot-hold trap and camera surveys as: number of individuals captured×1000 traps-night/total trapping effort (i.e., total trap-nights). Both kinds of traps were set in areas frequented by carnivores and baited with non-species-specific lures (Turkowski et al 1979). All sites were baited in the same way and were not purposely biased towards any one species.…”

Section: Carnivore Relative Abundancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Competition and intraguild predation among three sympatric carnivores

et al. 2000

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We examined the relative roles of dominance in agonistic interactions and energetic constraints related to body size in determining local abundances of coyotes (Canis latrans, 8-20 kg), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus, 3-5 kg) and bobcats (Felis rufus, 5-15 kg) at three study sites (hereafter referred to as NP, CP, and SP) in the Santa Monica Mountains of California. We hypothesized that the largest and behaviorally dominant species, the coyote, would exploit a wider range of resources (i.e., a higher number of habitat and/or food types) and, consequently, would occur in higher density than the other two carnivores. We evaluated our hypotheses by quantifying their diets, food overlap, habitat-specific abundances, as well as their overall relative abundance at the three study sites. We identified behavioral dominance of coyotes over foxes and bobcats in Santa Monica because 7 of 12 recorded gray fox deaths and 2 of 5 recorded bobcat deaths were due to coyote predation, and no coyotes died as a result of their interactions with bobcats or foxes. Coyotes and bobcats were present in a variety of habitats types (8 out of 9), including both open and brushy habitats, whereas gray foxes were chiefly restricted to brushy habitats. There was a negative relationship between the abundances of coyotes and gray foxes (P=0.020) across habitats, suggesting that foxes avoided habitats of high coyote predation risk. Coyote abundance was low in NP, high in CP, and intermediate in SP. Bobcat abundance changed little across study sites, and gray foxes were very abundant in NP, absent in CP, and scarce in SP; this suggests a negative relationship between coyote and fox abundances across study sites, as well. Bobcats were solely carnivorous, relying on small mammals (lagomorphs and rodents) throughout the year and at all three sites. Coyotes and gray foxes also relied on small mammals year-round at all sites, though they also ate significant amounts of fruit. Though there were strong overall interspecific differences in food habits of carnivores (P<0.0001), average seasonal food overlaps were high due to the importance of small mammals in all carnivore diets [bobcat-gray fox: 0.79±0.09 (SD), n=4; bobcat-coyote: 0.69±0.16, n=6; coyote-gray fox: 0.52±0.05, n=4]. As hypothesized, coyotes used more food types and more habitat types than did bobcats and gray foxes and, overall, coyotes were the most abundant of the three species and ranged more widely than did gray foxes. We propose that coyotes limit the number and distribution of gray foxes in Santa Monica Mountains, and that those two carnivores exemplified a case in which the relationship between their body size and local abundance is governed by competitive dominance of the largest species rather than by energetic equivalences. However, in the case of the intermediate-sized bobcat no such a pattern emerged, likely due to rarity or inconsistency of agonistic interactions and/or behavioral avoidance of encounters by subordinate species.

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Section: Carnivore Relative Abundancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Competition and intraguild predation among three sympatric carnivores

et al. 2000

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“…The effectiveness of control programmes based on conventional methods can be improved if suitable lures (attractants) are employed. In addition to bringing the target animal to a particular area (Turkowski et al 1979;Veitch 1985;Jolly and Jolly 1992), lures can elicit investigative behaviour (Turkowski et al 1979), which can increase capture rates and bait uptake. Also, if the lure is not attractive to other animals, impacts on non-target species can be mitigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field Evaluation of Olfactory Lures for Feral Cats (Felis catus L.) in Central Australia

Edwards¹,

Piddington²,

Paltridge³

1997

Wildl. Res.

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Field trials were conducted in central Australia to evaluate the ability of various olfactory lures to attract feral cats (Felis catus L.). Ten food-based lures, one plant extract and two scent-based lures (anal-gland preparations from male and female cats) were evaluated on the basis of visitation rates and elicited behavioural responses. A visual lure composed of bird feathers was also tested in conjunction with the scent-based lures. One food-based lure (sun-rendered prawn) and both of the scent-based lures were found to attract feral cats. The visual lure did not enhance the attractiveness of the scent-based lures. The possible uses and relative advantages of these lures in control programmes and in ecological studies of cats are discussed.

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“…In our field study, FAS was considerably more attractive than small cones and removal of large cones. However, small visual attractants (Mason and Burns 1997) and removal of large visual attractants have potential to be attractive under variable environmental conditions such as temperature, winds, and moisture that can reduce the effectiveness of some olfactory attractants (Turkowski et al 1979(Turkowski et al , 1983Linhart 1981).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coyote Investigative Behavior Following Removal of Novel Stimuli

2007

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Because coyotes (Canis latrans) show an aversion to novel objects, we examined the effects of the presence and removal of repellent and attractive stimuli on coyote behavior. We found a greater proportion of captive coyotes investigated 10‐cm‐tall cones (0.95) compared to 90‐cm‐tall cones (0.68) and control sites (0.81), and spent longer periods (P < 0.001 in all instances) investigating small cones (x̄ = 465 sec), compared to large cones (x̄ = 212 sec) and control sites (x̄ = 45 sec). However, investigation times at sites following removal of large cones were 1.6 and 2.3 times greater than investigation times at sites following removal of small cones and the control, respectively. Results from pen studies were supported by a field study. Wild coyotes in south Texas visited 43% of small cones but did not visit large cones. Following removal of cones, visits to small cone stations decreased to 29%, whereas coyotes visited 43% of large cone stations. Thus, we observed a direct relationship between aversion toward large novel objects and subsequent attraction to sites following their removal among both captive and wild coyotes. Based upon our results, we suggest that placing large novel objects over traps that are set and removing such objects after a few days, with the subsequent addition of an olfactory attractant, may increase exploratory behavior and capture of coyotes.

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Testing the Responses of Coyotes and Other Predators to Odor Attractants

Cited by 13 publications

References 5 publications

Competition and intraguild predation among three sympatric carnivores

Competition and intraguild predation among three sympatric carnivores

Field Evaluation of Olfactory Lures for Feral Cats (Felis catus L.) in Central Australia

Coyote Investigative Behavior Following Removal of Novel Stimuli

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