Coyote behaviors

[1snafu]

Observing various coyotes behaviors;

One Winter I decided to identify three alpha pairs. Which all 3 pairs had adjoining territories. From what I have decided based on continual sightings. I figured their territories, over lapped 1/4 mile swath on average. I also noticed depending on wind direction & speed. The areas they would decide to bed down out on the open hills. It became obvious to me. They had primary bedding spots & also secondary bedding spots. The over lap boundry areas I called "no man's land". Whereas trespassing was tolerated by neighboring alpha coyotes & or yearlings. Those behaviors highly interested me. As I wanted to continue observing their behaviors.

Anyway, I guesstimated their territories. To be roughly 6-8 square miles in total land mass. Those territories were elongated. With irregular borders. Out of those 3 alpha pairs. One pair I often seen routinely. Sometimes with their yearlings, sometimes I would see them alone. Either hunting or bedded alone on their territory. Two yrs in a row I observed that. I also noticed during the latter end of December(the 3rd week). Their yearlings would gone.. One hunt during a snow cover day end of the 3rd week in December.

I seen them all together traveling West bound into another 1 square mile land mass. They consisted of 2 adults & 5 yearlings. They went out into the center of that mile. Then one by one they all bedded down. The alpha female, being the last coyote that curled up & tucked her muzzle into her hind quarters( refer that as being "balled-up"). They rested for maybe 1/2 an hr. Then the alpha male. Walked up to each yearling. Thus, they would stand up to greet him. Then he would grab a hold of the back of their necks. Then push their head & upper shoulder down onto the snow. He would hold their heads down for maybe 30 seconds. As they stood there with their front legs buckled down. Then he would let that yearling go & walked over to the next yearling & do the same. While the alpha male was doing this. The alpha female rose to her feet then sat down & watched him do his thing.

Finally the alpha male walked up to the last yearling, Grabbed the back of her neck. Then here came the alpha female. Who also grabbed that yearling by the back of her neck. Both alpha's held that yearling's head down onto the snow. The next day & all of the following days. The yearling had left the area.

What was that behavior I wondered? What I deduced was. That was the last communication from the alpha pair to their yearlings. It was time the yearlings left their territory. Which, I happen to believe. Was based soley on. The alpha female was coming into heat.