Lonesome (Coyote)
Canis latrans
Coyotes are one of
the most successful large mammals to adapt to human interaction. They thrive
living off of human rubbish, a dependable food source. They are about 4 feet long including their
tail; they stand as high as 24 inches.
They can weigh from 20-50 pounds.
Their snout is long and slender.
Their eyes are a piercing yellow to amber color. If left to their own devices, they are great
at controlling ground squirrel and rodent populations. Sadly because of their reputation as a pest,
we are only able to rehab a few coyote puppies each season—only as many as we
have places to release them.
Abandoned
by his family, Lonesome was a juvenile coyote found in Minkler eating
peaches. He was limping and terribly
skinny. He had mange, fleas, ticks and internal parasites. Once medicated, he
showed improvement within a week.
However XRAYS showed that both hips were severely damaged; however, in
true coyote fashion, he adapted to a point where he could get around by using
both back legs simultaneously, like a bunny hop. Mrs. Minkler had named him
Lonesome when he was left behind by his family and the name has stuck.