“Pouncing Coyote”
“Coyote”
A red coyote. More than likely a hybrid between a coyote and a dog.
Actually, dog-coyote hybrids are exceptionally rare - more so than previously believed.
According to studies done on literally hundreds of coyote from all across North America over the course of several years, less than 3% showed even traces of dog DNA. More commonly, however, it was found that coyotes, especially those from the Eastern USA and Southern Canada, carried wolf DNA, which often attributed to their large sizes and unusual coloration.
This is not to say that coydogs don’t exist: I’ve heard reports from taxidermists and hunters claiming to see coyotes with curly tails, shortened pitbull-like faces, long droopy ears, and white patches that were not the result of piebald genetics.
That said, the coyote above is merely effected by a genetic defect, and does not appear to be a hybrid. In a manner similar to leucism, it’s merely lacking inhibitors for dark pigmentation in the fur.I’ve personally handled pelts from these ‘red’ beauties and they were, in all respects aside from coloration, 100% coyote.
Interested in more on coyote-wolf genetics? Read here!
My girlfriend got an iPad for graduation, so, naturally I am learning to finger paint while sitting on a screen porch. Lazy coyote day for me. About an hour it took in brushes after looking at a lot of coyote references.
