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Coydogs Wolves in New York Red Fox Gray Fox Coyote RED FOX COYDOGS “Coydog” is a common term used in northern Front foot: New York referring to a hybrid between dogs and 2 1/4” x 2 1/8” coyotes, but it is not correct. In theory, it is biologically possible for coyotes and dogs to Hind foot: hybridize. However, these crossbreeds have 2” x 1 3/4” reproductive cycles of dogs and give birth at times of the year when pups cannot survive in the wild. In addition, domestic dogs and coyotes are behaviorally different, usually preventing hybrids Tracks are from occurring. Coyotes are more likely to attack actual sizes of or prey on domestic dogs than mate with them. front paws. WOLVES IN NEW YORK Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) populations historically existed in New York State, but wolves were extirpated practically across the nation in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The last wolf in northern GRAY FOX New York was killed in the mid-1890s. The closest population of gray wolves now are in the Upper Front foot: Peninsula of Michigan and southern Ontario. 2 1/4” x 2 1/8” In the US, gray wolves are protected under the Hind foot: Endangered Species 1 1/2” x 1 1/2” Act; they are also protected and listed as Endangered in New York State. This ensures that any wolves that may temporarily occupy COYOTE New York from neighboring regions will be protected. Front foot: 2 1/2” x 2” Hind foot: All photos are used with permission. Cover: Red Fox by Natural Resources Branch 2 1/4” x 1 3/4” Bill Hoffman/NYSDEC; Coyote by Alfred Viola, Northeastern Univ, Bugwood.org; and Gray Fox by David Mendenhall, Environmental Division Bugwood.org. Gray Wolf by Scott Flaherty, US Fish & Directorate of Public Works Tracks reprinted with Wildlife Service, Inside: Red Fox by Ronald Laubenstein, Fort Drum, NY permission from US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bugwood.org; Coyote by Jeff Mammal Tracks and Bolsinger, Fort Drum; Gray Fox by NYSDEC. Range maps by 315-772-9303 / 772-9636 Sign by Mark NatureServe, www.explorer.natureserve.org. www.fortdrum.isportsman.net Elbroch 2018 (Vulpes vulpes) (Canis latrans) (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Red foxes inhabit Originally native to the western and central U.S., Gray foxes are a practically the entire coyotes have expanded their range eastward since relatively common Northern Hemisphere the early 1900s with the eradication of gray wolves species in North making it one of and the creation of suitable habitats. Today America and parts of the most widely coyotes can be found throughout the United States South America, but distributed terrestrial and most of Canada. they tend to be less carnivores in the conspicuous than Red world. Like the red fox, coyotes are highly adaptable and Foxes. Gray Foxes are can be found in grasslands, forests, tundra, found throughout New Red foxes are very mountains, York State and can be adaptable and found farmlands, seen on Fort Drum. throughout New York and urban State living in a variety areas The gray fox is the of habitats including including smallest of the three fallow fields, metropolitan canids. Gray foxes are farmland, forested areas, and residential areas. areas like New stout and only stand about 14 inches at the Red foxes also feed on a number of different food York City and shoulder. Their total body length is just under items such as small mammals, birds, amphibians, Chicago. Their 3 feet long and they weigh 7-13 pounds. insects, and fruits. In urban areas, red foxes will diets are also Also called the “Tree Fox,” this species has long also eat garbage items and pet food. diverse and claws and forelimbs that rotate further than other Throughout the year, a red fox can be easily they will fox species. These adaptations allow them to identified by its coat. They are typically a shade of consume readily climb trees more like a cat. Gray Foxes red or orange, but they may also be silver, black, or whatever is readily available including small and prefer hardwood and deciduous forests, brushy mixed-color morphs. Their legs and ears are large mammals, birds, insects, carrion, and areas, and old fields for shelter and foraging. Their typically black, whereas their throat, chest and vegetation such as fruit, grasses and seeds. diet is mostly comprised of small mammals, but underside are white. Typically the coat of a will also contain The tip of the tail coyote is a mixture of invertebrates and will always be white. brown, with tinges of seasonally available darker gray and black fruits and seeds. Red foxes are approximately on its back and tail; The individual hairs that 3 feet long (tail their legs, muzzle and cover most of their included) and stand the back of their ears body are tri-colored about 16 inches at are tan. Some coyotes bands (three colors on the shoulder. Their may have white fur on each hair), which create tails are nearly half their chin and a grizzled gray coat. their total body underside whereas Cinnamon-colored fur length. Red foxes some are very dark. tinges the ears, neck, weigh between 8-12 pounds; typically the male is The eastern coyote is the largest wild canine found sides and legs, and larger than the female. on Fort Drum. They are often compared to the size their throat and stomach are light. A black-tipped tail will help distinguish it from a Red Fox. A dark Red foxes can be commonly seen on Fort Drum, of a German Shepherd, and can weigh 35-50 streak of fur running up the back from the tail tip is including the Cantonment Area. pounds and stand approximately 28 inches at the shoulder and have a total body length of 4-5 feet. also a distinguishing feature. Red Foxes, Coyotes, and Gray Foxes are all protected in New York State as furbearing animals—all three species can be hunted or trapped during their respective seasons per New York State regulations. .
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