Canids of Maine's Boletim

You may not be able to see tracks in the snow right now, but you may find other evidence that foxes or coyotes are around or have passed through the area.

Below are pictures of coyote and domestic dog scat. The ends of the coyote scat look like they have a pointed twist, but the domestic dog scat doesn't have that same twist.

Coyote scat may be up to 4 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch in diameter (fox scat is approximately half that size). The color of the scat can vary depending on what they've been eating, and you may see evidence of fur, bones, fruit, berries, or insects!

After an approximately 60-day gestation period (or pregnancy), coyote pups and red and gray fox kits are born in the spring (typically March – May).

Litter sizes vary, but the average is 3-6 pups or kits per litter.

Coyote and fox parents will be very busy over the next few months as they work hard to hunt for food for themselves and growing pups and kits!

Image Credit: Jennifer Cross/USFWS

#canislatrans #nativesongdog #coexist #wildlife #omnivore #trickster

Image from Wikimedia Commons by Henry from Arizona

Today's post continues with the topic of sarcoptic mange - although from a different perspective.

Not only are dogs great companions, but they also help humans in a variety of ways - including conservation, tracking, and . . . sarcoptic mange!

In a 2019 article by Niedringhaus et al. titled, "A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife," the authors stated: "Detector dogs have been trained to find animals with sarcoptic mange in an attempt to detect cases and control the disease in populations of Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) and Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) (Alasaad et al., 2012b)."

The researchers also noted that, "Camera traps have been used to monitor mange distribution in wildlife. This technique has become popular because it likely reduces the bias of clinically-ill animals being more likely to be shot or caught (Carricondo-Sanchez et al., 2017). Camera traps have been used to estimate prevalence of sarcoptic mange in coyotes (Canis latrans), feral swine, and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)..."

This is an important aspect of the Canids of Maine project. Images submitted by observers (whether it's from a phone, camera trap, or camera) provide valuable data about our canids here in Maine that includes body condition and health. So thank you for your contributions!

Link to article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S2213224419300902

Attention Mainers!

You can be part of a new publication that is one of Canids of Maine's community outreach efforts!

See the Call for Submissions below.

Sarcoptic mange affects both domestic and wild animals. It is caused by the infestation of a mite in the skin and results in intense itchiness, hair thinning/loss, thickened/crusty skin, and scabbing. Secondary infections are also common. Afflicted animals suffer greatly, and if not treated, mange can lead to a slow, terrible death.

For various reasons, including a lack of respect for and understanding of our carnivores and the vital role they play in our ecosystems, mange was intentionally introduced to wild coyote and wolf populations as a "control" tool in the past and is yet another example of a misguided and ineffective attempt to "manage" our wildlife.

Today, thanks to Millstone Wildlife Center, this little coyote is being treated for mange and given a second chance at life. Wildlife rehabilitators are a great resource if you find an injured or sick animal!

Images courtesy of Millstone Wildlife Center

Poisons can have far reaching effects - including illness or death for our pets and wildlife.

Anticoagulant rodenticides can pose a risk via direct consumption of the rodenticide or consuming an animal that has rodenticides in its body.

Secondary rodenticide toxicity can make individuals more susceptible to infections or diseases and can also be fatal.

Read more about the dangers of rodenticides in the paper titled, "Managing Wildlife Damage: Secondary Toxicity of Antiocoagulant Rodenticides - Effect on Predators" by Justine L Smith and Michael T Mengak (link below)

https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/26414.pdf

In addition to collecting photos of foxes and coyotes that are observed throughout Maine, we'd also love to have you share any audio files of fox and coyote vocalizations. They can be uploaded directly to the iNaturalist project or shared via FB messenger on the Canids of Maine Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/canidsofmaine).

Please obscure locations if possible, although there is also the option to allow only the project to see more specific coordinates for data purposes if you choose. Thank you!

Images courtesy of Protect the Adirondacks and Defenders of Wildlife

Have you observed this behavior?

It's a common hunting method used by canids.

Photos by Tom Koerner/USFWS
#canids #maine #communityscience #coyote #fox