Coyote – 3/3/13

Observer: Kirk Thomas

Observation Date: 3/3/13

Observation Time: 6:20 a.m.

Observation Location: Griffin Land

Common Name: Coyote

Scientific Name: Canis latrans

Comments: The eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.) is a wild North American canine of both coyote and wolf origins. The hybridization likely first occurred in the Great Lakes region, as western coyotes moved east. It was first noticed during the early 1930s to the late 1940s, and likely originated in the aftermath of the extirpation of the gray wolf in southeastern Ontario, Labrador and Quebec, thus allowing coyotes to colonize the former wolf ranges and mix with the remnant wolf populations. This hybrid is smaller than the eastern wolf and holds smaller territories, but is larger and holds more extensive home ranges than the typical western coyote.

More Information: Nature Works and Wikipedia