Coyotes And Wolves example essay topic

Hour 1 English 3-21-01 The Coyote (can is la trans)? Sharp fangs, mean growl, shrill cry. You may think I am talking about a new werewolf movie, but I am really talking about the coyote. It is not as fierce as it may sound, They are quite unique animals. Their ability to adapt to almost any is astounding.

The Name The name coyote is a Spanish alteration of the original Aztec name coyote. The Latin name Canis la trans, meaning barking dog, was given to it by Thomas Say, who published a description of the species in 1833. Since 1967, its official name in the U.S. has been coyote. In some parts of the U.S. coyotes are called 'brush wolves". Wolves are much larger and hunt in packs.

Description The coyote's ears are wide, pointed, and stick out. It has a tapering muzzle and a black nose. Unlike most dogs, the top of the muzzle on coyotes forms an almost continuous line with the forehead. The yellow, slightly slanting eyes, with their black round pupils, give the coyote a characteristic expression of slyness. The canine teeth are remarkably long and can inflict serious wounds. The neck is well furred and looks oversized for the body.

The long tongue often hangs down between the teeth. The coyote regulates its body temperature by panting like most dogs. The paw, more elongated than that of a dog the same size, has four toes with fixed claws. The claws are not used in attack or defense. They are typically blunted from constant contact with the ground and do not leave deep marks.

The male coyote is about the same size as medium German Shepard. It weighs from 9 to 23 kg, has an overall length of 120-150 cm (including the tail), and stands 58- 66 cm high at the shoulder. The female is usually smaller. The fur is generally a medium grey, darker on the hind part of the back where the black-tipped hair becomes wavy. Legs, paws, and the back of the ears are more yellowish in color; the throat, belly, and the inside of the ears are whiter. The tail, is darker on top and lighter on the underside.

The color also depends of the season, and healthiness of the coyote. The coyote's fur is long and soft and well suited to protect it from the cold. Habitat The Coyote prefers to be in a brushy wet area like a bog, or swamp, Because of the high amount of food found in such places. However they can adapt to deserts all the way up to the frozen tundra. The reasons for the coyote's expansion are not fully understood but probably include several conditions created by people: the clearing of forests, and the removal of the wolf. The assortment of grassy fields, brush, and woodlots created by farming areas once covered with never touched forest has provided attractive habitat for the coyote, as well as several other species like the red fox and raccoon.

The coyote has learned to scavenge the carcasses of domestic livestock. The removal of the wolf in some areas has meant more to coyotes than the absence of a feared predator. It has meant less competition for many prey animals. For example, in winter, when snow conditions are right, coyotes can themselves kill large hoofed mammals, such as deer, that multiply in the absence of wolves. Also, in hard winters, these swollen deer populations run out of food, the deer die of starvation, and the local coyotes enjoy the carcasses. Diet Although primarily a flesh-eater, the coyote will eat just about anything available.

Rabbits and hares are typically their favorite, so are small rodents. Blueberries and other wild fruits are commonly eaten, in quantity, in summer and fall. Coyotes also eat insects, for example, grasshoppers, when they become available. Where coyotes and wolves live near each other, coyotes scavenge from wolf kills. Coyotes commonly prey on deer fawns in spring and summer; however, they may also prey on adult-sized deer and other large hoofed mammals during certain snow conditions in winter. Coyotes prey on domestic sheep when they are available, and may take beef calves and domestic poultry, also.

Life cycle Coyote couples may remain together for several years. Both sexes can breed at one year of age under good conditions, although both sexes usually breed somewhat later in life. The mating takes place mainly during February-March. Gestation lasts from 60 to 63 days. The coyote uses a den for the birth and early care of its cubs. It may be located at the base of a hollow tree or in a hole between rocks, but most often consists of a burrow in the soil.

The coyote prefers to den on the banks of a stream or the slopes of a gorge and usually chooses a concealed spot. It often enlarges an abandoned badger burrow. The female may prepare alternative lodgings to enable her family to move to another refuge should trouble occur. Earth, pushed toward the entrance, is piled up onto a fan-shaped heap, which the animal moves when going in or out.

The same shelter may be used for several years. Before the female gives birth the den is thoroughly cleaned. On average, she has three to seven pups, covered with fine brown fur. Their eyes remain closed for the first eight or nine days. The male prowls around and brings food to the entrance as long as the pups do not venture from the den. Weaning begins about one month after birth; thereafter, the adults regurgitate half-digested food for the pups.

At about three weeks of age, the pups begin to romp around under the adults' watchful supervision, first inside the shelter, then outside. Should some enemy come too close, the adult utters a special warning bark, then lures the enemy away. Later, the adults teach the pups how to hunt. When fall comes, the young coyotes may leave their parents to claim their own territory.

If there is an abundant food supply, pups may stay with the adults to form packs, or clans. Communication and senses Like the wolf, the coyote's best known trait is its yelping and howling cry, a sequence of high-pitched, ear-piercing baying's. The coyote can also bark, growl, wail, and squeal. Although often silent in daytime, it may make itself heard at any time from sunset to sunrise, and especially at dusk and dawn. Two coyotes howling in unison can create the illusion of a dozen or more.

The coyote can also sound farther away than it is. The coyote's senses of hearing and smell are so well developed that a sudden odor or noise can make it change its course in mid-step. Its agility in this respect is very incredible. The coyote is a remarkably hard runner, running along at 40 km per hour, but capable of reaching 64 km per hour. Greyhounds, well known for their speed in running, can catch up with coyotes, but may require a long time to do so. Should the need arise, the coyote can swim well also.

Cause of death 90% of the deaths of coyotes older than five months are caused by people, whether purposefully with guns, poison, and traps, or accidentally with vehicles and farm machinery. Wolves, black bears, mountain lions, and eagles all prey on the coyote. A lynx can kill a coyote but will not attempt to do so unless the odds are in its favor. Parasites and diseases can sometimes lead to death. Common are outbreaks of sar coptic mange, an infestation by microscopic mites that causes thickening of the skin, loss of hair, and itching. Heartworm and hookworm are other common parasites of coyotes.

Coyotes may also suffer from diseases such as distemper, canine hepatitis, rabies, and p arvo virus. Conclusion The coyote is a very important animal for the environment. It helps control the animal population. Although they can be nuisances to farmers. It is a good thing that people hunt them and also trap them to control their population.