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Coyote, Canis latrans, Use of Commercial Sunflower, Helianthus spp., Seeds as a Food Source in Western Kansas

Marsha A. Sovada, David J. Telesco, and Christiane C. Roy

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Abstract: Food habits of Coyotes (Canis latrans) were determined by analysis of scats collected in western Kansas in 1996. Mammals were the most frequently occurring food of Coyotes (100% of scats), followed by plants (39%), insects (30%) and birds (9%). Commercial sunflower (Helianthus spp.) seeds were found in 9 of 23 scats. When present, they composed a high volume of individual scats ( = 31%). Substantial use of commercial sunflower seeds as a food source by Coyotes has not been previously documented.

Key Words: Canis latrans, Coyote, food habits, sunflower seeds, western Kansas.

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This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 1130):

Sovada, Marsha A., David J. Telesco, and Christiane C. Roy.  2000.  Coyote, 
     Canis latrans, use of commercial sunflower, Helianthus spp., seeds as a 
     food source in western Kansas.  Canadian Field-Naturalist 114(4):697-699.

This resource should be cited as:

Sovada, Marsha A., David J. Telesco, and Christiane C. Roy.  2000.  Coyote, 
     Canis latrans, use of commercial sunflower, Helianthus spp., seeds as a 
     food source in western Kansas.  Canadian Field-Naturalist 114(4):697-699.  
     Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.  
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/sflwruse/index.htm
     (Version 05DEC2001).

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Study Area and Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• Literature Cited

• Table 1 -- Frequency of occurrence and percent frequency of occurrence of prey items found.

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Marsha A. Sovada and David J. Telesco, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37^th Street SE, Jamestown, North Dakota 58401, USA
Christiane C. Roy, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Emporia, Kansas 66801, USA

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