Time lapse video from a baited camera trap set in Dutchess County, New York. This site was apparently in close proximity to a coyote den, which is evident from the cute and tiny coyote puppies. Notably, no other carnivores, such as foxes, raccoons, skunks, or opossums (not technically carnivores), visited this site. However, deer did not seem to avoid this area at all.We hypothesize that coyote suppression of small carnivores plays a role in increasing the risk of Lyme disease. Coyotes are a new arrival to the Northeast, colonizing from the great plains only after gray wolves were extirpated near the beginning of the 20th century.
CATEGORIES: Lab News