Hobbies And Interests
Coyotes in Tennessee
There is one type of coyote that is found in Tennessee. The Canis latrans frustor subspecies (also referred to as the Southeastern Coyote) is the only type of coyote that lives in the southeastern region of the United States. It is the largest subspecies of coyotes and has red-brown coloring. It is believed that the reason for the larger size is due to breeding with the red wolf, which also lives in this region. This type of coyote is normally between 20 and 40 pounds, with pointy, erect ears and a slim muzzle.
History of Coyotes in Tennessee
Coyotes are native to the southwest and were not known in Tennessee until the 20th century. No wild canines, except an occasional feral dog, lived in Tennessee from 1900 until the 1960s, when they began to move east of the Mississippi River. In the 1970s, they began migrating into West Tennessee, and today there are populations all over the state.
What Do They Eat?
Coyotes are very adaptable and will eat almost anything. They'll eat carrion, although they prefer fresh meat. Rodents, insects, rabbits, squirrels, reptiles, deer, persimmon and apples are all important parts of the coyote diet. These creatures and vegetation are easily found throughout Tennessee.
Life Cycle of Coyotes
Like most canines, coyotes are pack animals. A standard group is made up of a mating pair and their pups. During the summer, coyotes and their pups are together in dens with nonbreeding adults. This is the time of the year when the family unit is the largest. The gestation time for a coyote is two months, and the average litter size is six pups. All members of the family help provide food. Coyotes are nocturnal, so evenings are when you're likely to hear them yelping and howling in Tennessee.
Hunting Coyotes in Tennessee
Coyote populations have been very difficult to control, despite many attempts. They have very few predators in Tennessee, aside from humans. Hunting coyotes is legal year-round, and there is no bag limit.