Site Discussions

Observed Interactions Between Coyotes and Red Foxes
Alan B. Sargeant &  Stephen H. Allen
1989

US Geological Survey

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are believed to influence the distribution and abundance of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (Sargeant, 1982). Examples of inverse relations in abundance of the two species are numerous (Dekker, 1983; Goldman, 1930; Johnson and Sargeant, 1977; Linhart and Robinson, 1972; Sargeant, 1982; Schmidt, 1986). Populations of both species are composed primarily of territorial family groups. In allopatric populations, territories tend to be contiguous and nonoverlapping (Andelt, 1985; Sargeant, 1972). In sympatric populations, red fox territories straddle the periphery or are located largely outside of coyote territories (Major and Sherburne, 1987; Sargeant et al., 1987; Voigt and Earle, 1983). Avoidance of coyotes by red foxes is believed to be the principal cause of spatial separation (Sargeant et al., 1987).

The accounts we received showed that coyotes occasionally kill fox pups at dens but there is no evidence this is a major source of mortality for foxes living among coyotes. Dekker (1983) inferred that red foxes often den in the immediate vicinity of farms to seek refuge from coyotes but reported no instances of coyote-inflicted mortality on fox pups. Sargeant et al. (1987) also found that in sympatric populations red foxes den closer to occupied farms and roads than coyotes. During 1980-1984 we visited 48 fox-rearing dens on a 313-km² area in northwest North Dakota where coyotes were common; we found no evidence of coyote disturbance to the dens or of coyotes killing fox pups. The arrangement of the coyote and fox dens on that area indicated families of each species were separated spatially in the manner described by Major and Sherburne (1987), Sargeant et al. (1987), and Voigt and Earle (1983); most fox dens were near farms and roads.

Although red foxes have reason to fear coyotes, they frequently may be near coyotes without showing apparent concern, and coyotes encountering foxes may not respond aggressively. The observed communal feeding by a coyote and fox, and the reported instances of coyotes and foxes rearing pups near each other, reveal the high degree of interspecific tolerance that can occur. Nevertheless, it is advantageous for foxes to avoid encounters with coyotes because each encounter includes risk of injury or death. This mixture of coyote aggression and indifference toward red foxes may explain gradual changes in fox populations in the wake of changes in coyote populations (Sargeant, 1982) and the presence of some red foxes among coyotes for years (Sargeant et al., 1987).

New York State Dept. of Conservation

Tree climbing is one of the most notable adaptations in the gray fox. Gray fox have been reported to den several yards above the ground. This is not only advantageous in escaping predators such as coyotes, it may also improve their ability to find food. By gripping the bole of the tree with their front paws, and as they push off with their hind feet, they will let go with their front and re-grip the bole of the tree higher up. Once they’re up in the crown they tend to jump from branch to branch. Descent is backwards or if the tree is leaning they will run down the trunk of the tree.

Due to their more aggressive behavior, Gray fox prefer to hunt thicker cover than the more timid red fox. The gray fox’s preference for thicker cover, aggressive behavior, and the ability to climb trees minimizes the effect that eastern coyotes have on their population. The red foxes preference for open terrain where they are more visible and farther away from cover allow coyotes to suppress red fox populations where coyotes are abundant.

Red and Grey Fox (West Virginia Dept. of Natural Resources)

Although coyotes and foxes share a common range throughout much of North America, there appears to be an inverse relationship between the densities of coyotes and that of foxes.  High densities of coyotes tend to limit the distribution of fox territories and their numbers. Biologists have noted the decline of foxes following the colonization of coyotes into an area. Foxes apparently avoid core home ranges of coyote to avoid contact with the stronger predator. The territory of the grey fox occupies more interior woodland and apparently encounters are less common than in the more open land territory of the red fox. Most studies have concluded that foxes are not eliminated but become less common when coyotes invade their territory.

I agree with the theory they are being driven closer to town. I’ve observed more fox tracks this winter in the fields close to our village and rarely see coyote tracks close to town. Head out into the rural areas and its just the opposite. My rural friends here the coyotes howling in the spring which I never hear but in the village I had a grey fox barking in my front yard

We have had a very robust rabbit population this year. Normally I would see plenty of fox and their scat and hear them. This has not happened. I do hear the coyotes quite often.

I see alot of fox sign (tracks, scat) in Central Maine and on Cape Cod. Both of these areas have either coyote or coywolf populations. They utilize the same corridors, and hunt similiar prey, but I couldnt say that it’s just the coyotes that may be impacting the red fox populations.As others have commented, there are so many factors that come into play with intra-species interactions.

My experience has been the same here in rural northeastern Connecticut.  We, who used to routinely be treated to the sight of “Reddy Fox” running across the field, or playing with the kits near their den, now get excited at any sighting—they are few and far between.  Coyotes—all over the place! And too close for comfort.  Cayoodling within a few hundred feet of the house, late at night.  Boldly showing themselves as we drive by the field near their den. 
Are foxes going the way of porcupines?  I can’t even remember the last time we saw one of those wonderful fellows!

If you take a good look at the eastern coyote, it’s pretty obvious that the animal is more similar to the Algonquin wolf in habitat requirements and lifestyle than it is to the western coyote. While what we call a coyote may not be native to the northeast, neither are we of European heritage native to the northeast.

Here in northcentral PA gray foxes are doing just fine, it’s the red fox with its preference for brushy habitats and edge that’s declined. As Austin P. said, the habitat red fox prefer is gone, Gone, GONE! due to modern farming practices.

The coyote, because of its adaptability and intelligence, will be able to survive and prosper throughout the northeast.

Thanks for the article, Dave. As it happens, in the past year I have seen more fox sign and more foxes than I have in perhaps half a decade. That’s a short span, though, and if I had to hazard a guess at the ratio of coyote to fox sign in, say, the past 15 years, I’d venture 5 to1.

Your information was very useful to me.  I plan to write a short article about the Wood Chemical Industry as a background for a model railroad magazine.  The article will have a few paragraphs about the wood chemical industry, but is basically a construction article for a factory building to be placed on a model railroad.  Do you have any process diagrams I can use?

Thanks,
Joe Kimber

Virginia Barlow,
I live here in Corinth and would be so interested to go and pick the Autumn olive for their delicious fruit in the fall.  Let me know if we can talk more about this.
Kind Regards, Sarah Corrigan

Hello, I would like to peel some pine logs to use in the future. The ones I’m peeling are only 8 inches at the biggest. I treat my sawmill wood with Borax, then keep out of weather. Winter is my off time so I have to do all my cutting now - so six months or 1 year before I can use some of the logs. Thank you for any help.

I am enjoying the presence of, sometimes, over twenty mourning doves on my east-facing balcony. I supply them with millet and sunflower seeds. It is almost record cold here these last days, and I marvel at how they cope with the bitter windchill. They come in the morning and stay all day. As dark begins to fall, they become lively, eating and pruning their feathers. Then off they fly, wings whistling. I so look forward to seeing them in the morning. They are beautiful and have such a peaceful presence. I am glad they are with me.

I’ve noticed a small triangle/beehive looking bird nest in several places around DC.  The nest is gray in color, appears to be made of paper/mud about the size of a melon with a small opening on the side.  It hangs from a single branch with the pointy end toward the ground.  Any ideals?  I thought it was a wasp nest or beehive, but there are so many of them and I haven’t seen any insects flying around.

We have a 1973 Vermont Casting Defiant which I bought used about ten years ago. Had to replace one of the backing plates and reseal the stove. It heats up my 1500 square foot home with no problem and since the house has electric heat we save a bundle of money. This old Defiant can take up to a 22 inch log which is great. So I would never hesitate to buy a used one if is in good shape. I also heat my camp in Vermont with a 1985 Dutchwest Federal Style Small stove. Finally had to retire it because the shaker grate fell apart. I decided to replace it with a small Dutchwest steel plate stove. This was mainly do to the fact that people want unreasonable amounts for used stoves today. So I hope that my experiment with new stove technology works out for us in the future.

Sold firewood for a living on the west coast.
Maul length: about 30” - 36”. I’m 5’9” and use 32”-34”. Longer is better than shorter.
Handle material: hardwood preferred
Handle design: NOT straight. Straight is very hard on the wrist. Nicely curved, especially at the end, is critical if you chop much and value your body.
Handle grain pattern: You want a tight grain pattern that is running fairly straight and parallel with the motion of swing. Parallel helps in longevity of handle if you “overstrike”.
Maul head: should be dull, not sharp. It’s not for chopping, it’s for splitting. You don’t want to be struggling to get it out if it doesn’t split in one strike.
Maul head weight: 4.5-6 lbs.  8 lbs. is for the young,(soon to be old).

Black spruce swamps are the place to look here in VT. If you do find it let the VT Natural Heritage Inventory know - it’s considered to be a rare plant (ranked S2 - imperiled) and it seldom does any damage to commercially valuable trees here.

I used to climb the fire tower on Saint Regis Mountain in the Adirondaks when I was attending Paul Smiths’ College in the mid- 1990’s. I don’t know if it’s still there, but I sure took some great pictures from it.

I typed in Google search “oak tree still has leaves” and yours was the first answer. Thank you for the info. I walk my dog a lot and noticed a tree with leaves on it. A big and tall oak tree. The wind was blowing and the sound it made going through the leaves was beautiful. I live in Akron, Ohio. We have had snow, freezing rain and temperatures in the single digits. This is the only tree in a 1 mile radius that still has its leaves. On the next windy day I’m going to try and record some video of the tree. Thanks again for the info.

Let nature run its course.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/174251

Exposure to an environment containing the aromatic red cedar, Juniperus virginiana: procarcinogenic, enzyme-inducing and insecticidal effects.
Sabine JR.
Abstract
(1) Shavings from the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) were examined for three diverse biological properties, i.e. enzyme induction, procarcinogenicity and insecticidal activity. (2) The ability of a cedar environment to stimulate liver drug-metabolizing enzymes in mice was confirmed by lowered values for barbiturate sleeping time. (3) In susceptible strains of mice (C3H-Avy, C3H-AvyfB and CBA/J) the use of cedar shavings as bedding increased significantly the incidence of spontaneous tumors of the liver and mammary gland, and also reduced the average time at which tumors appeared. (4) Cedar and some of its derivatives (Oil of Cedarwood, cedrene, cedrol) disrupted the reproductive and developmental cycle of a number of insects, including the Peanut Trash Bug (Elasmolomus sordidus), the Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella) and the Forage Mite (Tyrophagus putrescentiae).

PMID: 174251 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]