Coyotes

*Coyote prints can be found in this area in the morning after heavy rain or snow*

The protected eagle area provides an oasis for many animals, allowing them to exist with minimal human interactions. While well adapted to urban areas, coyotes prefer privacy to raise their young and hunt their prey. The hill near the shoreline, southwest of the sign, is a highly suspected location for coyote dens. Coyotes use these dens to raise their pups in spring and summer. Coyotes are thought to mate for life, raising litters of 5-7 pups. The young emerge from the dens after several weeks of their mother providing them with food. They practice their hunting skills on grasshoppers but quickly move on to small rodents and birds.The abundance of prairie dogs provides coyotes with a steady supply of sustenance.

Coyotes are opportunistic eaters and have no issue consuming plants and seeds when the going gets rough. You can find coyote scat and prints on the trails of Standley Lake. They like to mark their commonly walked trails with their scent. Have you ever wondered if an animal print is a coyote or domestic dog? Look at the space between the paw pad impressions to differentiate between the two animals. If the space forms an “X”, it’s likely a coyote print. If it forms an “H,” it is likely a dog print, as they are larger and rounder.

While you walk, look at the prairie ecosystem. Can you spot the cacti growing between the grasses? These are prickly pear cactus. They can grow in various habitats and survive from -50F to above 100. This cactus supplies food for many types of animals, including Black-Tailed Praire Dogs