Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
smithsonianmag.com
Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
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Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#2Fascinating article, highlighting that the coyote is one of the few species to thrive in the Anthropocene. How do such populations cross significant barriers such as the Panama Canal? I could imagine a coyote or two crossing, but how do enough breeding pairs cross?
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#3Fascinating article, highlighting that the coyote is one of the few species to thrive in the Anthropocene. How do such populations cross significant barriers such as the Panama Canal? I could imagine a coyote or two crossing, but how do enough breeding pairs cross?
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Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#4Fascinating article, highlighting that the coyote is one of the few species to thrive in the Anthropocene. How do such populations cross significant barriers such as the Panama Canal? I could imagine a coyote or two crossing, but how do enough breeding pairs cross?
My guess is simply by trotting across a bridge or roadway. I've come across coyotes in Chicago and they're fearless. I was walking along a major road at around 5PM and a big, fat one that had been running down the sidewalk ran right past me and bolted across the street into a wooded area of a cemetery. I was kind of zoned out and hadn't even noticed it until it was right upon me.
They've happily walked into shops with open doors too.
https://coyotesincities2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/urba...
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#5This is not unusual, at least on large timescales. Life finds a way.
If you want to read about larger migrations have a look at The Great American Biotic Exchange.
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#6The interesting question is why did not happened before. This would suggest that big felines are retreating (and that coyotes trive in urban areas of course)
The golden jackal in the same way is returning to its old domains in Europa, for some reason is a global trend. Maybe control of distemper has triggered something, or maybe climate is more accurate now for they.
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#7Other than eating the occasional housecat (which is bad) Coyotes, in general, seem like good partners for our current urban/suburban life. They make hidden dens in our parks, like to eat rats and other small rodents and are scared of dogs and households.
https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2010/12/08/131876027/6...
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#8"Then, around the turn of the 20th century, nature’s barriers began to crumble. Forests began to fragment,"
It's impressive how wrong that statement is. 1900 is when forests stopped fragmenting, not when they started. Between 1630 and 1900 forested area of north America declined from 46 percent to 34 percent. That declined only slightly to 33 percent in 1997 and has since increased to 36.2 percent.
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#9Other than eating the occasional housecat (which is bad) Coyotes, in general, seem like good partners for our current urban/suburban life. They make hidden dens in our parks, like to eat rats and other small rodents and are scared of dogs and households. https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2010/12/08/131876027/6...
They take small to mid size dogs too. Usually when it’s dark. Sometimes even while on a leash. Our 13 pound dog got attacked in our backyard. The coyote jumped a five foot fence with ease. The dog survived with some bite marks but the vet said usually the injuries are worse.
Otherwise they cause less trouble than raccoons who get into a lot of things.
Re: Coyotes Poised to Infiltrate South America
#10I thought it was only the repulsive rats that benefit from the human ever-expanding footprint. Interesting to know other species are also adjusting.