Originally posted by artifaker1:
Coyotes never bred with wolfs before, but they definitely do breed with dogs.
A big coyote will go for 30lbs.
The first statement is false and DNA research in Canada is proving that, the eastern (nortern) US "coyotes" are not the same coyotes as the western states. The skull needs to be measured and the DNA checked to clarify. Canada is getting set to release some information once the DNA testing is done to show what the Eastern/Northern area has is a wolf subspecies, dubbed the "the small eastern wolf". Mostly coyote markings but small to medium wolf genetics.
Coyotes are the MOST over estimated animal on the earth in my opinion, most claim 50lbs until they hit the scales and show 30-40. Big eastern coyotes can push 40-60lbs, one "coyote" caught in canada weighed in at 75lbs and was proven to be of wolf origin, the DNA test is forecoming.
Coydogs are common, but nature tends to be harsh on that sub species, as the 50/50 females come into heat late summer/early fall so the pups are born in the winter, also the M/F pair will not bond if the male is a dog so the female is left alone to try and raise the pups during the harshest time of the year. So coydogs do happen often but nature weeds them out over time. Sub females will help with the feeding but survival rates are low.
Years of trapping and calling, and research have help me sort of alot of stuff...but there's no clear answer. It will be interesting in the upcoming years to see what DNA test prove and how states manage the coyotes especially is a sub species includes the word "wolf" but the marking show coyote.
So you might have seen a new species or you might have seen a plain jane big eastern coyote. The western ones look like pups compared to ours.
Here's a few pics.
75# "coyote" caught in canada the measurements say "wolf" and I'm sure the DNA will say the same, with coyote markings.
notice the difference in head size and shape when it's next to a "big" north/east coyote.
Topic: Wolf or Coyote (Read 1638 times)
