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Publication Date

8-19-2026

Coyotes regulate fertility, population recruitment, and territory size, based on food competition, all characteristics that might be leveraged for population management initiatives. In Rhode Island, US, anthropogenic food subsidies provide important resources for coyotes. Prior work has shown that when large reliable subsidies are absent or removed, resident coyotes increase territory size. This is potentially significant to management if the expansion does not cause increases in pack size.

We used video camera traps, opportunistic photography, and observation, to make group-size counts. We looked at the influence of levels of anthropogenic food subsidization on pack size. Adult group sizes were smaller in spring/summer (between two and three) and larger in fall/winter (between three and four). Subsidization levels did not influence adult group sizes, which were on average three. One large seasonal subsidy, carcass dumps, did affect adult group counts in winter. The mean number of adults in subsidized sites without carcasses (around three), was significantly lower than for subsidized sites with carcasses (around four).

We conclude that removing anthropogenic food subsidies will distribute group members over a larger defended area, decreasing coyote density in that area. By extrapolation, if resource removal is conducted on a larger scale, it could result in fewer territories and a reduction of individuals.

DOI

10.15365/1932-7048.1406

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