Predation Control

Predation Control Services

Evaluating Predation by Coyotes

Coyotes are the most common and the most serious predator of livestock in the western United States. Westwide, they cause a majority of
the predation losses of sheep, goats and cattle. In some states, this is also true for hogs and poultry.
In attacks on adult sheep and goats, coyotes typically bite the throat just behind the jaw and below the ear, although repeated bites made
while shifting their hold may obscure the initial tooth punctures. Death commonly results from suffocation and shock; blood loss is usually a
secondary cause of death. On small prey, such as young lambs and kids, coyotes may kill by biting the head, neck or back, causing
massive tissue and bone damage. Young lambs, kids and pigs may be carried away by coyotes and disappear without a trace. Bloody soil
and vegetation, missing animals or females searching for their young may be the only evidence that a problem exists.

Some coyotes kill by attacking the flanks or hind-quarters, causing shock and loss of blood. This is quite common on calves, but is less
common with sheep and goats. It does seem to occur more often in sheep during winter months, possibly because of the heavy fleece
during this period. Death of the calf and severe injuries to the genital organs and hindquarters of cows are characteristic when coyotes
attack cows giving birth. This is more common with heifers (young cows having their first calf) than with older cows. It is also quite common
in some areas to see calves bobtailed by coyote attacks.

Young coyotes are more likely to kill in a manner not typical of that which is expected, but some coyotes consistently kill in an atypical
manner. Coyotes, like other animals, are individuals and each may have unique food habits and behavior depending on circumstances.

Some animals are attacked by coyotes without being killed but die later from injuries and infection. In these cases, sheep and goats are
more likely to have throat injuries and cows and calves to have injuries to the hindquarters. Calves frequently are fed upon extensively at the
hindquarters before they die. Even with prompt medical treatment, few of these animals survive because massive infections usually develop.

Coyotes normally begin feeding on kills in the flank or just behind the ribs, but there are exceptions. Some seem to choose the viscera (liver,
heart, lungs, mesenteric fat, etc.) first and the milk-filled stomach is a preferred item. Feeding on the hindquarters is also common and
small animals may be entirely consumed.

Multiple coyote kills are frequent and many of these kills are not fed upon. Coyotes usually leave the hide and most of the skeleton of larger
animals relatively intact, but when food is scarce, they may leave only the largest bones. Coyote feeding leaves ragged edges on muscle
tissue and tendons, splintered and chewed ribs and other bones. Scattered wool, bits of skin and other parts are characteristic where
coyotes feed extensively on larger carcasses.

The canine teeth of coyotes vary in size and spacing but on the average coyote (20 to 30 pounds), normal spacing between the upper canine
teeth is 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches and 1 to 1 1/4 inches between the lower canine teeth. As a result of tissue pliancy and movement and multiple
bites, paired punctures made by the canine teeth are often difficult to identify and an accurate estimate of the canine tooth size and spacing
may not be possible. Nonetheless, when these can be determined they are a definite aid in confirming the predator species responsible.

If not disturbed at a feeding site, coyotes often rub and roll after feeding, possibly to clean themselves. They may also urinate and defecate
soon after feeding and usually scratch with their feet after defecation. These activities leave useful evidence if it can be found.

Some dog tracks may be easily confused with coyote tracks even when the tracks are well defined. The shape of tracks, the length of the
stride, the prominence of nail marks and the pattern of travel are important. Coyote tracks tend to be more oval-shaped and compact than
those of common dogs. Nail marks are less prominent and the tracks tend to follow a straight line more closely than those of dogs. Except
for greyhounds and whippets, most dogs of the same weight as coyotes have a slightly shorter stride. The normal coyote track is about 2
inches wide and 21/2 inches long, with the hind track slightly smaller than the front. The average coyote's stride at a trot is 16 to 18 inches
and the hind tracks tend to follow directly in line with or on top of front tracks.

A closeup view of this lamb's throat
indicates the cause of his illness, a
severe injury to the throat which was
probably caused by a coyote attack.

This newborn calf also exhibits the
appearance of an animal fed upon by a
predator. In this case, the calf was killed
and fed upon by coyotes.

This whitetail fawn carcass exhibits
the appearance of an animal that has
been fed upon by a carnivore. In this
particular case, the fawn was killed
and fed upon by a coyote.

This pronghorn antelope exhibits
similar injuries, punctures in the
throat, typical of predation. In this
case, the pronghorn was killed by a
coyote.

The carcass of this elk calf exhibits
injuries typical of predation, in this
case, tooth punctures in the throat.
This calf was killed and fed upon by
coyotes.

The carcass of this lamb exhibits
injuries which are typical of some kinds
of predation. In this case, the lamb was
bitten in the skull by a coyote.

Bobcat hunting and killing behavior is much like that of cougars because they prefer to stalk their prey and attack from cover. On small
prey, such as lambs, kids and fawns, they bite into the skull or back of the neck and may leave claw marks on the back, sides and
shoulders. Bobcats may also kill with a bite in the throat, typically just back of the jaws over the larynx. This could result from catching
the prey after it falls, or it may be individual bobcat behavior.
Bobcats normally do not prefer to bite repeatedly in killing prey but tend to secure a lethal hold on the neck or throat and hang on until
the prey stops struggling. Frequently, when bobcats secure a grip over the larynx, the animal suffocates rapidly and there is virtually no
bleeding from the injury. The adult bobcat's canine teeth are normally about 3/4 to 1 inch apart. Generally, an estimate of this spacing
is easier to make on bobcat kills than on fox and coyote kills.

As a rule, bobcats do not prey on adult sheep and goats, or on calves, but are known to kill adult deer and antelope. They attack larger
prey much like cougars by leaping on the back or shoulders and commonly leave claw marks. On small prey, there may be claw
marks on any part of the body, but they are usually concentrated on the neck, shoulders and ribs.

Bobcats generally seem to begin feeding on the viscera by entering behind the ribs, but their feeding patterns vary. They may begin
feeding on the neck, shoulders or hindquarters. Their feeding pattern is relatively neat, typical of the cat family. On small animals, they
may consume nearly the entire body, including the head, in a single feeding or they may carry the carcass away. Bobcats prefer to kill
their own food but seem to feed somewhat more readily on carrion than cougars do.

Bobcats also may cover carcass remains, and frequently feed several times on a carcass. Being smaller than cougars, bobcats do
not reach out as far in raking up debris, normally not much more than 15 inches. This, and much smaller tracks, helps distinguish
between bobcat and cougar caches. Bobcats also may cover their urine and feces with a small mound of debris, typically much
smaller than those made by cougars.

Like cougar tracks, bobcat tracks are round and lack claw marks but they are much smaller, only 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Also, the
rear pad is shaped differently, being relatively straight in front, with a lobe at each side in the rear.

Evaluating Predation by Bobcats

A 20-pound lamb killed by a bobcat bite
in the back of the head. Size and spacing
of the tooth punctures and claw marks on
the skin were the determining factors.

This lamb carcass exhibits injuries
typical of predation: scratches, tooth
punctures and hemorrhage. This lamb
was killed by a bobcat

This is the carcass of a mule deer fawn
which was fed upon by a bobcat, identified
by tracks in the snow. Although some
blood is present in the snow around the
carcass, it is not sufficient to confirm
predation as the cause of death, even
though the fawn was partially covered with
snow by the cat.

The site where the fawn was killed by
the bobcat does provide graphic
evidence of predation through scattered
hair and the blood on the snow.

The characteristics of a bobcat's track
are evident in this track made in snow.

These are the feet of an adult male bobcat.
The hind foot is at the left. The shape and
spacing of the pads, as well as the lack of
claw marks are evident in bobcat tracks.

Evaluating Predation by Foxes
Although poultry are their more common domestic prey, both red and gray
foxes may prey on livestock. This is generally less typical of gray foxes.
Usually, foxes kill only young or small animals, particularly lambs and
kids. However, in some circumstances, probably because their food is
limited, red foxes may kill large lambs and kids, adult sheep and goats
and small calves.
Foxes usually attack the throat of lambs and kids, but kill some by
multiple bites to the neck and back. This may result from young animals
being caught while lying down.

Evaluating Predation by Hogs
In some areas, domestic or wild hogs (Russian boar,
domestic hogs gone wild, and their crosses) prey on poultry
and livestock. This occurs more often during droughts or
other periods when mast (acorns, etc.) and other foods are
scarce. Hogs will also feed readily on carrion but some hogs
become highly efficient predators. Hog predation on livestock
usually occurs on lambing or calving grounds, perhaps
partially because of the prevalence of afterbirth. Occasionally,
adult animals giving birth are fed upon and killed by hogs.

Predation by Hogs & Foxes

This is a 15-pound Angora kid bitten in
the throat and below the left ear by a gray
fox. The size and spacing of the tooth
punctures as well as the history of gray
fox attacks in this vicinity helped
determine that this was a gray fox attack.

This 25-pound angora kid was also attacked
at the throat by a grey fox.

These Animals are Natural Born Killers.
If you are a Rancher,Landowner or Farmer or
know of someone that is having Predation
Problems Please Contact Us
We will Discuss a Plan to help Eliminate the
Problem Predators.
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Seen Coyotes,Foxes,Bobcats,Raccoons,Badgers
and Other Predators? You need our Services!
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Special Thanks to
Dale A. Wade and James E. Bowns
For use of Pictures and Text pertaining to Evaluations above