What’s it like to come face-to-face with a predator? This trail camera photo sent in by a reader from Luzerne County offers a intense look into the gaze of a coyote. If the coyote appears almost wolf-like, there’s a good reason. Research indicates that coyotes actually bred with gray wolves as they migrated through Canada to the eastern U.S. That’s one reason why coyotes in Pennsylvania, and other eastern states, are larger than their counterparts in the west.
But what’s truly interesting about the photo is the way this particular is honing all of its senses on the camera. It’s ears are standing up and ahead to capture any sound, while its nose is lowered to detect scent while also focusing its eyes straight ahead. Essentially, the way this coyote has positioned its head allows it ears, eyes and nose to zero in on anything in front of it.
While coyotes are often scorned by many, there’s no denying their place near the top of the food chain in Pennsylvania.
How long have coyotes been in PA?
John, I’ve read studies that indicate the coyotes in PA migrated here in the 1940s from Ontario. That’s also where they came into contact with wolves and picked up those genes.