Salt and Pepper / Biscuit Root / Desert Parsley
Lomatium orientale

Celery Family
Apiaceae

The coyote is the largest carnivore we have at PCC. Counting the tail, a large coyote is about four feet long and weighs 35 to 40 pounds. Its diet consists of jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, prairie dogs, and rodents like mice, rats, and voles. But coyotes are really omnivores because they will also eat grasshoppers, berries, fruit, and other vegetation. They are very opportunistic and will eat carrion left on the prairie.

The center of the coyote social structure is a mated pair, which may remain together for quite a few years. At times youngsters from previous years will remain with their parents to help raise the new litter. The yipping and howling of coyotes you hear is a way coyotes communicate with each other to locate and check on the status of the family members.

Coyotes mate from January to March and the gestation period is two months. Litters average two to four pups, and the pups stay in the den for the first six weeks of their lives. At three weeks they start eating regurgitated meat brought to them by the adults and are weaned at six weeks. The pups usually disperse in the fall, leaving their parents to the family range.

Coyotes are usually active in the evening, although you may spot them at any time. At PCC, coyotes are difficult to get close to. You'll normally see a dark shape against the light brown grass moving quickly away from you. They are far ranging, so keep an eye out at a distance while on the prairie.

The coyote population at PCC is once again healthy and very active. Seven were noted on the last formal count, scattered over the area. Their numbers are up because of the abundance of prairie dogs.