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Beyond the ferocious jaws of the carnivorous coyote is a loving creature that scientists say is 100 percent monogamous.
Researchers studied the mating patterns of two hundred thirty six coyotes in the Chicago area over a six-year period. They found that coyotes living in urban areas are faithful to their partners, and stay with them for life. The research is in the Journal of Mammalogy. [Cecilia A. Hennessy, Jean Dubach and Stanley D. Gehrt, Long-term pair bonding and genetic evidence for monogamy among urban coyotes (Canis latrans)]
Scientists collected blood and tissue samples of coyotes and equipped some adults with radio-collars before releasing them all back into the wild. Genetic analyses showed no evidence of polygamy within the urban coyote population, and consequent studies of their movements showed that pairs stayed together through multiple breeding seasons.
The research runs contrary to other studies that prove that seemingly monogamous species sometimes cheat. It was thought that coyotes would be more likely to stray from a mate in an urban environment where food and females are plentiful. Instead, the research provides evidence that not all species of canids are dirty dogs.
—Amy Kraft
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
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6 Comments
Add CommentHumm, I wonder if the wolf is also monogamous? What about the jackal? Are the "man made" breeds of canids the only ones that are 'dirty dogs'? Are men sometimes referred to as dogs because their meddling with the species created the promiscuous dog? Do you know what dog spelled backwards is?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat about "Mad Dog" backwards?¿
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy are people so keen on monogamy? Variety is the spice of life.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBesides as James W. Prescott discovered a promiscuous sex life during our teen years leads to a better individual:
See Video based on his work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lctBGAa1IwE
Be a better person have a lot of sex, with a lot of people while you can. You will be better for it.
I suppose that infers that rural coyotes are promiscuous. I knew it, under the quiet and demeanor of the villagers they are raving promiscuous sex maniacs. Well that is a handy piece of useless knowledge which I will file somewhere in my mind.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCheating, dirty dogs!? A good article, in jest or not cheating, dirty dogs could have been left out of this article including the repaet on radio.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisoh bull
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