Animal attendance at coyote trap sites in Texas

Abstract

There is a need to develop alternative selective capture systems for coyotes (Canis latrans) and to generate information on the quantity and identity of species that visit locations where coyote traps are set. We used 24-hour video surveillance equipment to monitor coyote trap locations. We observed 564 visits by 20 vertebrate species during 2,822 hours of observation in 144 trap nights at 31 locations. Species other than coyotes were >16 times as likely to enter the area of observation (the trap area), but did not enter the area immediately proximal to the trap (the trap site) as frequently as coyotes. Current trap and lure systems may be more selective than published reports indicate because of the relatively higher abundance and activity of other species in areas where coyote traps are set. Coyotes and noncoyote species visited at different times of day; in the future, diurnally inactivated capture systems could mechanically exclude most noncoyote species and further increase capture-device selectivity.