Creature Feature: History of Howling was originally published in the BFEC Newsletter, Vol. 17/No. 2, Spring 2013.
The story of large predators in Ohio is similar to the Star Wars saga. It starts off pretty well, gets better, tappers a bit and then goes straight off the cliff. On to pointy rocks... and land mines... Then an Acme safe falls on it. One can argue on both counts that things started to look up right at the end, though: larger predators are slowly emerging as ecologically significant in the state and the third/sixth "movie" did end... eventually.
Timber wolves were once the dominant predators across much of the state. Introduced into the area well before the end of the ice age, they ascended the food chain following the climate-induced demise of massive dire wolves around 10,000 years ago.
They roamed a vast, wooded wilderness hunting deer, elk and bison. Remains have been identified at a number of archaeological sites and there are many indications that wolves were largely revered by native Ohioans.
Letters and reports from early settler tell a story of a wilderness where wolves were so plentiful it was hard to sleep at night for the ubiquitous howling. Along the Kokosing, the mixed sounds of owls and wolves were noted amongst the region's most memorable characteristics.
As Europeans spread from the east in higher numbers so did their agricultural practices. In a story that echoes headlines today, wolves and ranchers did not mix very well. Massive habitat loss conspired with fear for family and livestock to place wolves squarely in the crosshairs of progress.
Wolves quite reasonably (and like Europeans) concluded that eating doe-eyed meat-pets was a much easier and juicier occupation than chasing after deer and rabbits. Mass poisonings, trapping, hunting and bounties ensued and persisted until the last wolf was killed in 1842.
Despite a resurgence of wolves in controversy and the west, it is unlikely that Ohio, bereft of large tracts of wilderness, will ever see wolves again... Enter the wolf's smaller cousin...
One animal that complained neither of deforestation or the removal of wolves was the coyote. Traditionally found only west of the Mississippi, coyotes are masters of adapting to new environments. When a void opened in Ohio, they didn't waste time filling it.
Around 1920, they began creeping in from the west; by 1960, they were an established presence filling an ecological niche that overlapped with both native foxes and the then-extirpated wolves.
Coyotes brought with them remarkable adaptability. Traveling from the open landscape of the plains, they quickly took to the diverse habitats of the eastern states. The food, shelter and available water allowed them to flourish both in numbers and individual size.
Today, coyotes are common throughout the state in rural, suburban and even urban settings. They are generally nocturnal but will move and hunt during the day in areas where humans are few and far between.
Their diet is omnivorous and opportunistic: small mammals like mice or rabbits, fruits, nuts, birds, insects, road-kill and McRibs from the alley dumpster are all on the menu (in that order).
Anecdotal evidence suggests that coyotes in Knox County have begun to prey on newborn fawns as well as a sick or wounded adult deer. In rural areas, coyotes are known to go after livestock although not to the degree which wolves did. While many blame coyotes for harassing chickens or sheep, research suggests that less than 15 percent of the coyotes' diet consists of livestock. Generally the summer months see attacks on domesticated animals spike as mothers try to support themselves and their pups.
A coyote is similar in appearance to a slim, medium sized dog. Most have greyish coats but they can vary from whitish to brownish red. They have a black-tipped bushy tail that is carried down at a 45 degree angle when they move. Male coyotes tend to be slightly larger than females but few ever top 50 pounds.
Coyotes are considered faithful critters and generally only have on mate for as long as they both shall survive. They breed early in the year and give birth to a litter of pups once things become more hospitable in April or May. The pups are born unable to fend for themselves and require care and nurturing for the first several weeks of their life.
Coyotes are fans of stereotypes. While the female selects and arranges a den, the male of the pair fulfills his y-chromosomal duties by procuring most of the food. Borrowing from birds, coyote parents regurgitate food for their young until they are ready to hunt. After a month or so, the pups begin to wander out of the den for field trips and by 2-3 months they begin employing hunting techniques of their own.
Most male pups will move on to find their own territories after about a year. Those that do not are inevitably compelled to by their fathers. Female pups may linger with the group for longer but generally move on after a couple of years. Female coyotes are noted for their maternal instinct and care. They are wary of any threats to their brood and are known to switch den locations in response to threat.
Not surprising considering our available resources, coyotes inhabit the BFEC preserve. A family group has built its dens here for the past 3-4 years. While they are seldom seen during the daylight, keep your eyes peeled north of the river and you may get lucky.
While one must acknowledge coyotes as an established part of our ecosystem, it is important to consider their nature as a relative newcomer and be mindful of potential impacts they might have on other native wildlife. Foxes in particular may be susceptible to predation, competition for resources and displacement, when coyotes are present. As we are home to both, we're doing our best to keep track of both foxes and coyotes on the preserve.
An "apex" predator is at the top of the food chain. In most systems the only thing an apex predator has to fear is fear itself. And man. Mostly man. Several avenues of scientific study have suggested that apex predators can also act as "keystone" species — a species whose removal from a system can have cascading and detrimental effects. The basic model suggest that without predators at the top, foragers will expand and deplete the bottom leaving everyone tumbling into disarray.
The loss of the timber wolf as an apex predator in the eastern U.S. has contributed to the proliferation of deer and expansion of coyotes' range changes that reverberate throughout the ecosystem.
Canis latrans
Diet: ominvorous — primarily small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, nuts, carrion, dog food
Habitat: grasslands, brush and farmland intermingled with wood lots. Can also adapt to urban/suburban
Weight: 20-40 lbs
Canis lupus lycaon
Diet: deer, bison, elk, rodents, fish
Habitat: wilderness and remote forested areas; once found throughout the U.S., now in very limited areas
Weight: 40-175 lbs