From a PM:
''Labman,
This is not a funny joke or anything. We are having a problem with overwhelming numbers of coyotes in TN. At work the other day we were discussing coyote numbers again, yes again, and the topic of discussion became that coyotes were suppose to be able to determine the sex of the offspring when bred. Therefore, saying if there was a low number of males, she would have males, and if the female numbers were low, she would have females. Is there in facts about this? I have begun a research on this on the web. Rubypitbull thinks that my chain was being pulled, but we were all being very serious. As we are trying to cut down on the number of coyotes.''
RubyPitbull seems to do a very good job of picking up on bull. She has pointed out several things I missed. I see several possibilities in addition the chain which I see as plausible. I never remember anything about, but it could still be true. I really lean to it being one more old wives tale or urban legend. When it comes to dogs and their wild cousins, there is an amazing amount of disinformation around. The net has brought new life into many of the myths of the 50's. I only say the 50's because that was when I was young and first heard many of them.
If coyotes follow the pattern of the wolves where only the pack leaders breed, the ratio of the sexes wouldn't make much difference. Since only 4 of the 15 puppies we have raised for the dog guide school have been males, people occasionally ask me if they breed mostly females. My answer it that if they could, they could sell the secret to the dairy industry for enough to support the program for ever. I think we usually get females because we are willing to put up with them going through their season, and never have let one get accidentally bred. They are spayed after the very best are selected as breeding stock after they are a year old.
It is interesting how much progress wildlife has made living in developed areas now. I think that there are deer being born in Dearborn. Pennsylvania has many more bears now then when I was living there as a kid. I don't think I ever saw any Canadian Geese until the 70's. Coyotes are noshing on pets everywhere.
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