Coyote scat sampling in Rocky Mountain National Park as a method for determining distribution and habitat preference

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/4m90dx02h

Abstract

Coyotes (Canis latrans) have become an increasingly common presence in urban and human dominated landscapes. As an opportunistic omnivore, coyotes have traits that have allowed them to adapt to a wide variety of landscapes despite concerted efforts toward their removal. The diverse diet and highly variable behavior of coyotes has also made them an important species in countless ecosystems across North America. In this paper, I aim to establish a baseline understanding of coyote habitation in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). I performed a scat survey in RMNP from June 9th, 2022, through September 24th, 2022, across various habitat types and elevations. Analysis of the frequency of scat sightings across different regions found a negative correlation between scat sightings and elevation as well as a strong correlation between scat sightings and habitat type. These findings imply greater coyote abundance in lower elevations in RMNP as well as very high abundance in shrubland habitats. As no previous published data on coyotes in RMNP exists, the findings from this study have significant implications for wildlife management and improving the general knowledge on coyote populations in RMNP.

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