Coyote Wolf Hybrid Poplulation in Eastern United States

Coyote Wolf Hybrid

A Wolf in Coyote Clothing

or

Sneaking Back after Centuries of Extermination

        Wolves were basically exterminated from the lower forty-eight states in the U.S. by the 1950s.  However recent genetic testing and phenotype examination confirms that northern wolf coyote hybrids are rapidly colonizing the eastern part of the United States.

     Researchers Roland Kays, Abigail Curtis, and Jeremy J. Kirchman found that wolf coyote hybrids produce rapid colonization.  Mating with Canadian wolves these coyote hybrids are bigger and able to more readily prey on larger ruminants such a deer than their smaller south western cousins.

     Coyotes evolved on the Great Plains where they consume small prey. These smaller hunting dogs moved eastward into Ohio while the larger wolf coyote crosses moved southward form Ontario.  The skulls of these predators are larger and broader with more muscle attachment on the lower jaw than their south western cousins.  This enables them to take down larger prey such as the white tailed deer.  These canines also show marked evidence of sexual dimorphism.

     Wolves disappeared from the lower forty-eight states leaving a niche which coyotes and wolf coyote hybrids are rapidly filling.  Wolves persecuted for hundreds of years live in the most remote areas of the United States.  They exhibit a marked avoidance of man.  What advantage would a wolf coyote hybrid manifest?  The introduction of wolf DNA allows the coyote to feed upon larger prey while adding coyote DNA to that of the wolf lends the individual a greater opportunity for survival.  Coyotes are bold.  They are wary of humans but will readily scavenge from human garbage and are not above jumping a fence and carrying off the human family pet.  Most canines are omnivores and coyotes are especially so inclined.  This gives them a much greater chance of survival than wolves which are basically carnivores.

     Man sought to exterminate the wolf from the eastern parts of the United States but nature always finds a way to fill a void.  The wolf is venturing back as a new subset of the canine species.  The coyote wolf hybrids are filling the vacuum left by the wolf and are proving much more adaptable than either wolf or coyote.

Naturopathic Tip

Homeopathy Argentum nitricum

     Animals needing argentum nitricum appear to be nervous, extremely submissive individuals which fear being touched from above.   They may refuse to enter certain areas or walk on certain paths. This is where their stubborn streak will appear.  This remedy works well with horses and dogs who fear the show ring.  Because of the fear factor these animals may injury themselves in trying to escape.  If left alone they can become destructive and have been known to self mutilate.

Kays R, Curtis A, Kirchman, "Rapid Adaptive Evolutions of Northeastern Coyotes Via Hybridization with Wolves," Biology Letters, rsbl.royalsociety publishing.org.