Coyote Study at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

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The purpose of the coyote study was to

1. Determine the relative abundance of coyotes by tallying scats deposited along sections of unimproved and infrequently traveled roads during seasonal time periods from February through September.

2. Examine coyote seasonal food habits by collecting scat every 2 weeks along these road sections and hair remains of prey will then be identified.

3. Obtain coyote reproductive information. In May and June we will be conducting howling surveys to locate den sites. Once dens are found we will then conduct observations to estimate litter sizes.

Bats Birds Bison Eagles Fish Invertebrates Mammals Reptiles/Amphibians

COYOTE STUDY

Coyote At The Refuge

At the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, the coyote is a primary predator and scavenger and has a potentially important influence on other wildlife such as deer and small mammals. The relationship between predator and prey can not be fully assessed without adequate estimates of population densities and other demographics. Only limited RMA coyote population information exists therefore, beginning in February 2005, a study was initiated to estimate the abundance of coyotes on RMA, describe their seasonal food habits, and estimate the number of coyote dens and litter sizes to provide an indication of reproductive success.

Coyote On A Mound

Last Updated: 3/24/09

STUDY STATUS

For more information contact Sherry Skipper at 303-289-0232.

To learn more about coyotes, link below.

Indicator Species on the Great Plains

General Information