Seasonal food habits of the coyote in the South Carolina coastal plain.
Spatial and temporal plasticity in Canis latrans (coyote) diets require regional studies to understand the ecological role of this omnivorous canid. Because coyotes have recently become established in South Carolina, we investigated their food habits by collecting 415 coyote scats on the Savannah River Site in western South Carolina from May 2005-July 2006. Seasonally available soft mast was the most common food item in 12 of the 15 months we sampled. Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) was the most common food item during December (40%) and March (37%). During May-June, fruits of Prunus spp. and Rubus spp. were the most commonly occurring food items. Fawns were the most common mammalian food item during May and June of both years despite low deer density.
- Research Organization:
- USDA Forest Service, Savannah River, New Ellenton, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE EM Office of Program and Site Support (EM-50)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI09-00SR22188
- OSTI ID:
- 1027498
- Report Number(s):
- 08-16-P; na; TRN: US201121%%494
- Journal Information:
- Southeastern Naturalist, Vol. 7, Issue 1; ISSN 1528-7092
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Seasonal food habits of the coyote in the South Carolina coastal plain.
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