Home range size and spatial relationships of Coyotes and Red Foxes in Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine

Winter, Lois

FIELD WORK: August 1988 - March 1990. MAMMALS: 12 coyotes and 14 foxes were trapped and radio-tagged. Gives some indication of home range size and spatial overlap of the individuals followed. Also noted juvenile Coyote dispersal. 'Twelve coyotes (Canis latrans) and 14 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were radio-tracked on Mount Desert Island, Maine from August, 1988 to March, 1990. Home range size and interspecific spatial overlap were calculated and compared with results from other recent New England studies. Juvenile coyote dispersal rate was also documented and compared with results elsewhere in Maine. The average 95% minimum convex polygon home range for coyotes was 42.2 km2, but varied from 10.1 to 77.8 km2. The mean home range size on Mount Desert Island was characterized by greater variability than determined in earlier Maine studies. The variability in coyote home range size on Mount Desert Island suggests that it would be inappropriate to apply results from coyote research elsewhere in Maine to make projections and management decisions regarding spatial requirements in Acadia. The 95% minimum convex polygon fox home range size averaged 8.6 km2 but varied from 1.9 to 20.8 km2. These results are consistent with other Maine studies. Dispersal and gradual home range expansion may account for the variability in home range size of foxes. Preliminary data suggests that a high percentage of juvenile coyotes disperse off of Mt. Desert, although dispersal appears to be delayed in comparison to the mainland. Harmonic mean home range analysis suggests little interspecific overlap between coyotes and red fox core areas of use. These results imply that the arrival of coyotes on Mount Desert Island may limit the habitat available for red foxes.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /MOUNT DESERT ISLAND/Beech Hill/Sand Beach/Storm Beach/Stone Barn/Northeast Creek/Beech Hill/Otter Creek/Hio Road/Hulls Cove/Sunken Heath/Acadia Mountain/Long Pond/Gilmore Meadow GIS-CATEGORY 2 ; Mammals: Notes Coyote and Fox capture locations and home range maps