Eastern Coyotes at Rendezvous Site
Strictly speaking, a coyote rendezvous site refers to an above ground home site that a family uses in summer or fall, when the pups are too big and too active for a den, but not yet old enough to accompany parents on hunting excursions. As the pups grow, they accompany parents more often and for longer periods, and by fall or winter, pups may disperse, never to meet up with parents again. But some families continue to reconvene throughout winter, especially eastern coyotes, which are more wolf-like, in both physical and behavioral attributes, due to their wolf-coyote hybrid ancestry.
A classic coyote rendezvous site is comprised of an open area or elevated lookout (whence the animals can spot danger), dense cover for hiding, and a nearby water source. And while the site may be nestled in suburbia, it tends to be difficult for humans to access.
The video below shows a family of three eastern coyotes at a winter rendezvous site in Massachusetts. The family is most likely a mated pair and a daughter from their litter of last spring. The daughter might disperse this spring, or she may stay on to help her parents raise their next litter. The experience she gains while assisting her parents will make her a more competent mother when she finally disperses and raises her own young.
Interesting about the rendezvous site, I didn’t know about that. I didn’t even know the eastern coyote was a wolf /coyote hybrid mix & I’m from New York State! I’ve seen one in person once in the southern Adirondacks -he was beautiful to me. Thanks for all the interesting articles you write & for your time you put into all of this for your blog too.
It must have been a cool experience to see one in the wilds of the ADK’s!
Great video. Eastern coyotes are fascinating animals, it’s wonderful to have them as part of our fauna.
Thanks. Agree – super interesting, and incredibly adaptable and intelligent.
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