Iowa Creatures of the Night #6-Coyote Mystery Cache
a1bob66: This series had a really great run. First of 6 to go missing. Will archive to make room for something else.Thanks for the fun.
Iowa Creatures of the Night #6-Coyote
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Night Cache
Nocturnal means active at night, and these creatures can be heard in the distance by their yips, howls and barks, unless they don't want to be heard or seen. They will then sneak around on tip toes to avoid detection. Be sure to follow the night cache directions below to have a successful cache experience.
Iowa Creatures of the Night Series
#6 Coyote
The coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, but carries its tail below the level of the back rather than curved upward. Its upper body is typically light gray to dull yellow, but can vary from mostly black to nearly all gray or white. Course outer hairs are usually tipped with black. The underparts are whitish, cream colored or pinkish yellow. A coyote's muzzle is long and narrow; its ears are erect and pointed. The average length of an adult is 44 to 54 inches, including a 15- to 17-inch tail. Weights measured during fall and winter vary from 22 to 42 pounds.
Coyotes are valuable members of the wildlife community and do more good than harm where humans are concerned. However, they occasionally kill livestock, poultry, and domestic pets, especially where coyotes live in large numbers or in close association with people. Eliminating all of the coyotes in an area is not a realistic goal because voids will be filled quickly. Fortunately, removing individuals with “bad behaviors” usually solves a problem even when other coyotes continue to live in an area.
Coyotes occur in nearly all types of habitat, including urban and suburban areas. They are most abundant in areas with a mixture of farmland, woodland and grassland.
http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/Animals/Mammals/Coyotes.aspx
http://a-z-animals.com/animals/coyote/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/coyote/
FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COYOTES
• Coyotes are usually 32 to 37 inches long and have between 20 and 50 pounds. Their size is somewhere in between foxes and wolves.
• Color of the coyote's fur ranges from grayish brown to reddish brown. Fur on their belly is usually white. Color of their body helps them blend with their environment.
• Coyote has pointed ears and muzzle and flat forehead. Another easily recognized feature is a long, bushy tail.
• Coyotes are omnivores (eat both meat and vegetation). They will eat anything they find. Their favorite food include: rabbits, rodents (rats, mice, squirrels), antelopes, lizards, birds, cactus fruits, flowers. They will even eat dead animals (carcasses) and garbage if they cannot find anything else.
• Hunting strategy depends on the type of prey they are chasing. If coyote hunt a small prey, it will hunt alone. If the prey of choice is larger animal, such as deer, group of coyotes (composed of several animals) will join their forces to kill the prey. Coyotes are the most active during the dawn and the dusk.
• Coyote has incredible sense of hearing and smelling. It can localize a prey hiding under the snow using his ears.
• Coyote relies on its ears to avoid danger, also. It can detect hunters that are one mile away.
• Coyotes have special tactic to avoid predators and potential danger. They move silently by walking on the tips of their toes.
• Main predators of coyotes are bears, cougars, wolves and humans (coyotes are treated as pests and humans often kill them to protect livestock).
• Coyotes are excellent runners. They can achieve a speed of 40 miles per hours when chasing the prey. They are also excellent swimmers, which is especially important when they are trying to escape the danger.
• Coyotes produce wide variety of sounds for communication. They can howl, yelp, and produce high-pitched cries. They can also bark, growl, wail, and squeal. Communication allows coyote to keep track on its family members.
• Coyotes are territorial animals. Just like dogs, they use urine to mark their territory.
• Mating season takes place in February. Pregnancy lasts 60 to 63 days and it ends with five to seven babies. Mother takes good care of her babies in the underground den or in a den made of bushes and trees. Urine marks are used as alert sign to keep other coyotes away from a den. If mother detects danger, she will move her cubs to a safer location.
• Coyotes are monogamous (one couple mate for a lifetime).
• Average lifespan of the coyote in the wild is between 10 and 14 years. They can live up to 20 years in the captivity.
http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/coyote_k6.html
Coyote Facts">
Night Cache Instructions
#6-Coyote-All trail markers and the container are on the Right (North) side of the trail.
1) The posted coordinates are the starting location.
2) The start location will be marked with two(2) reflective markers.
Start=2
3) The trail will be marked with one reflective marker.
Trail=1
4) The final location will be marked with three(3) reflective markers.
Final=3
5) Use your flashlight to locate the start markers(2). Look down the trail with your flashlight for the next marker(1). Follow the trail of markers until you find the final markers(3). Find the container and sign the log.
6) The coordinates for the final location is posted in the waypoints to aid navigation and direction.
Night Cache Notes
1) This cache is recommended to be found in the dark.
2) You should pack good flashlights with extra batteries.
3) Safety First. Always bring a friend on a night cache.
4) Give yourself plenty of time and be aware of the trail use times.
5) The markers for this cache are all on the same side of the trail.
6) This cache is on public use property and all rules and laws are to be followed.
7) Cache at your own risk.
8) The final coordinates are listed in the waypoints to allow daytime discovery of this cache.
Please remember that all caches in the Jackson County Conservation Areas are CITO locations.
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