You guys have made me curious about this whole pack thing. I just picked out nuggets from some studies that I stumbled across and make some remarks at the bottom regarding my own thoughts based on coyote vocalizations where I hunt.
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/Behavior/Spring2004/holmberg/Holmberg4.html
"Coyotes which live in northern and western areas of their range display more developed and complex social systems than coyotes found in the southern and eastern areas of their range (Chamberlain et al. 2000).
All coyotes travel and live together either in groups of three or more individuals called packs, as mated pairs, or as solitary individuals, called transients (Andelt 1985; Bekoff & Wells 1980; Chamberlain et al. 2000). The basic unit of a coyote pack is the mated pair. To form a pack the mated pair is accompanied by pack associates who can be genetically related or unrelated individuals (Bekoff & Wells). Coyotes may live in packs because they are able to better defend resources such as food caches or carrion (Bekoff & Wells 1980). In general, more coyotes live in packs, approximately 70%, than coyotes that live as mated pairs, approximately 17%. The other 13% accounts for transient individuals. Packs make up a large percentage of the population because pups will stay with their parents up to one year after birth.
Coordinated group hunting among coyote packs is rare because of their ability to survive on small mammals such as gophers (Bekoff & Wells 1980). Although coyotes have a highly developed solitary hunting method they only make a successful kills 10% to 50% of the time (Bekoff & Wells 1980)."
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http://urbancoyoteresearch.com/Packs.htm
"Although coyotes live in family groups, they usually travel and hunt alone or in loose pairs. In this way they are different from wolves, which leads to the impression that coyotes do not form packs since they are usually seen alone. In addition to resident groups, the urban population also consists of solitary coyotes that have left packs and are looking to join groups or create their own territories. Between one-third and one-half of the coyotes we captured each year were solitary animals. These solitary coyotes can be either males or females and are usually young coyotes (six months to two years old) but can also be older individuals who have left packs. If a coyote is seen running across a field, it is impossible to know if it is a solitary coyote or a member of a pack from that sighting."
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http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildlife/furbearers/coyote.htm
"An average home range encompasses 2-10 square miles. Members of packs tend to have smaller home ranges than “loners”. Sizes of home ranges are also influenced by the quality of habitat a coyote lives in, presence of nearby packs and seasons of the year – especially when coyotes are breeding or rearing pups.
Home ranges are not exclusive; several coyotes might live in the same area. These groups, referred to as packs, usually consist of extended families. Members of one pack rarely venture into another’s territory. Some coyotes do not belong to packs. These solitary coyotes tend to have larger home ranges than pack coyotes and are less respectful of pack boundaries. They sometimes join a pack when one of the members leaves or dies."
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Now my words again:
Based on studies by various biologists around the country and each of your own observations, it would seem that there are recognisable facts that would make you both correct in most cases, but also incorrect in some cases.
Since it is recognized that most coyotes hunt alone, isn't it possible that your "lone" coyote is part of a mated pair or larger family group (dare we use the term "pack"?)?
While neither of you believe that "packs" exist in coyote biology, biologists consider any family group of 3 or larger a "pack". It is apparent however, that "packs", when they occur, would likely consist of pups or adolescents whose presence is perhaps temporary as they will eventually strike out on their own.
One could argue that if 2 pups stay with the mating pair for 1-2 years, then that 4 coyote family group could legitimately be called a "pack" during such period of time as that family group consists of 4 coyotes.
It seems from all accounts that there is a 50% chance that when you are observing a coyote or have called in a single coyote, it is a much smaller chance that it is a solitary or transient coyote then it being one of a mating pair or family group. It would also seem likely that when 3 or more animals are called in at one time that this is one of those family groups and could correctly from a scientific perspective be called a pack.
Please tell me what you would call a group of 3 or more coyotes observed at one time if not a pack as that is the correct scientific term for such a group of coyotes.
As it seems that at any one time coyotes that you observe could be either a solitary animal, one or both of a mating pair, or one of a family group (pack???) that consists of 3 or more animals, I would hesitate to use the word FACT to express that coyotes do not "pack up" as it would appear a family group of multiple animals meets the scientific definition of a pack, even if it is a temporary condition.
I would hazard an educated guess that in wolf country, coyote "packs" would be more common as a logical defensive and security posture against their larger cousins who would be happy to kill their smaller competition when encountered.
It would be interesting to hear some other opinions on this notion that there are no such things as coyote "packs".
I'm not convinced based on the numbers of animals represented when I hear coyote vocalizations (i.e. greater than 3 animals)locally that they are not happy to exist in some numbers in close proximity to one another and if living in close proximity to one another sharing the same range, prey items, and denning areas, that one would not consider it a "pack".
Let the debate continue..............
Raptor
P.S. to the retired Chief - former USN enlisted here - 1988-1992 PN2 - USS Saratoga CV-60 - Homeport: Mayport, FL. Go Navy!
Poop diameter might give a rough guess to size. I just don't believe it is very accurate.
