Demography and body condition of coyotes (Canis latrans) in eastern New Brunswick

We documented the demography and body condition of coyotes (Canis latrans), using 77 carcasses collected in late fall and winter (1995-1996 and 1996-1997) during an increase in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) density in eastern New Brunswick. We compared body condition at the beginning (November-January) and end of winter (February-March) in relation to breeding status. Physical characteristics of coyotes were similar to those reported elsewhere in the northeastern portion of its range. The sex ratio did not differ significantly from 1:1. The population was unusually old (5.6 +/- 0.4 years of age (mean +/- SE)). The parturition rate was low (40.9% in adult females), and placental scars were present only in females > 5 years old (6.6 +/- 0.6 scars per female). There was no significant decrease in the body condition of adult females over the winter but the body mass of those females with placental scars tended to decrease over the winter (P = 0.012). Also, during November-January, reproductive females (with placental scars) were significantly heavier (P = 0.007) than non-reproductive adult females (without placental scars). Our results suggest that in the coyote populations in eastern New Brunswick, breeding status and reproductive costs should be taken into account in future studies of demography and body condition. Also, the low level of coyote exploitation by humans may be responsible for the old age structure of the population and the low parturition rate. The exploitation level should be considered when analyzing coyote sociodemographic data.