Food habits and anthropogenic supplementation in coyote (Canis latrans) diets along an urban-rural gradient

Abstract

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are recent colonists of the southeastern United States and have broadened their niche to include exploitation of urban areas. We examined the diet of coyotes inhabiting areas of diff erential development by humans and assessed prevalence of anthropogenic feeding, to detect a possible shift in dietary trends by collecting and examining 159 fecal samples from urban, exurban, and rural areas of east-central Alabama, USA. Consumption of anthropogenic food did not vary along the urban-rural gradient, and foods consumed were similar among habitats. While results of our study can provide insight to guide decisions about managing populations of urban-exurban coyotes in the region, further research should be conducted in a diversity of developed areas to assist wildlife managers in evaluating strategies for managing populations of urban-exurban coyotes.