Working in the field as a soil scientist and geologist I became interested in native American Canines.
The Coywolf (Eastern Wolf, formerly Canis latrans var.; currently Canis latrans x C. lycaon. genetically very similar to Canis Rufis - Eastern Red Wolf of North Carolina) This is a remarkable intelligent subspecies of the canids (wolf/coyote) adaptation to the Northeastern/eastern USA. The adaptation involves a size intermediate between wolves and coyote, diet of a smaller animals, do not hunt in packs, and a stealth life style that adapts them to urban environments. They can live in urban environments such as New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington DC, without being noticed or interfering with humans. They are intelligent enough not to be hit by vehicles even though they den around busy highways and streets in wooded interchanges and parks. They are extremely difficult to trap. Except for occasional rare kills do not hunt pets, domestic animals, and domestic dogs appear to be indifferent to their presence. This remarkable recent adaptation to a human environment is good example of evolution in the modern world.
A recent effort to trap a Coywolf that apparently killed a small dog (rarely occurs) failed despite repeated efforts by professional trappers. They found the den with various toys, balls and a doll. The Coywolf apparently moved away in response to the efforts to trap it.
http://www.coywolf.org/coywolf-basic-info/
The Coywolf (Eastern Wolf, formerly Canis latrans var.; currently Canis latrans x C. lycaon. genetically very similar to Canis Rufis - Eastern Red Wolf of North Carolina) This is a remarkable intelligent subspecies of the canids (wolf/coyote) adaptation to the Northeastern/eastern USA. The adaptation involves a size intermediate between wolves and coyote, diet of a smaller animals, do not hunt in packs, and a stealth life style that adapts them to urban environments. They can live in urban environments such as New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington DC, without being noticed or interfering with humans. They are intelligent enough not to be hit by vehicles even though they den around busy highways and streets in wooded interchanges and parks. They are extremely difficult to trap. Except for occasional rare kills do not hunt pets, domestic animals, and domestic dogs appear to be indifferent to their presence. This remarkable recent adaptation to a human environment is good example of evolution in the modern world.
A recent effort to trap a Coywolf that apparently killed a small dog (rarely occurs) failed despite repeated efforts by professional trappers. They found the den with various toys, balls and a doll. The Coywolf apparently moved away in response to the efforts to trap it.
http://www.coywolf.org/coywolf-basic-info/
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