Nomadic Behavior of an Old and Formerly Territorial Eastern Coyote, Canis latrans

Abstract

We document the fate of a female Eastern Coyote on Cape Cod, Massachusetts that was a breeding resident of a ~30 km² territory for at least six years (1998 – 2004) and then became nomadic. Her behavior dramatically changed in January 2005, when she was located on six occasions sleeping under sheds and/or decks in highly residential neighborhoods at the southeastern edge of her range. On 11 March 2005 she localized in a small area (95% MCP range = 5.85 km2) at the northeastern edge of her old territory, where she remained until 1 March 2006. After briefly associating with other Coyotes (late-February 2006), her movement patterns changed again. She used a much larger area (~200 km²) until she was shot dead in February 2007. Tracking data indicated that she lived in localized areas during this nomadic period, possibly to avoid resident Coyote packs.