Coyotes on the Move

March 07, 2019

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Photographer: Jason Jones
Summary Authors: Jim Foster; Rose L. Smith

Shown above is a coyote (Canis latrans) that was photographed just behind a home in Great Falls, Virginia in December 2017. Coyotes, once found only west of the Mississippi in the United States, have been sighted in each of the contiguous states and Alaska. They're widespread in Canada and Central America, as well. In fact, they've been identified within the city boundaries of many big cities and are more numerous today than at any time since humans first entered their realm.

These sinewy canines, smaller than wolves and about the weight of a medium-sized dog, adapt well to change, and when food is scarce they're very opportunistic, being able to survive on scraps and carrion, fish, invertebrates, fruit, etc. Unfortunately, the family pet, small dogs and cats, are now also on their menu.

Photo Details: Camera: NIKON D3400; Exposure Time: 0.0020s (1/500); Aperture: ƒ/6.3; ISO equivalent: 1600; Focal Length (35mm): 450.