Remember that coyote on ebay that looked like a dog? Look...

You are exactly right on, Bill, and no I didn't measure or weigh it.. I do adore the rarity however and I'm so glad to know that there are other understanding folks out there. such a relief! Yep the heavy skin, joints and all you described my coyote to a t, Bill. I powerwashfleshed him, no problemo.. super yote.

Nature Goddess our yotes really look similar in color for sure.. people think fox mix so this coyotes pics don't really do it justice.. will have to take a few more pics like I see you have there. very good!

The coyote hunters that I got this one from told me that they've gotten some almost totally black in color, too. pretty neat.

 

Bill I took in 22 yotes whole sale and 2 looked like that and 1 to check the dew claws i swear its a wolf but DNR says no

 

Yeah, I also like learning about all the color phases of the yote (and foxes in particular). I have an extremely large collection of unique color phases. I've even got a blue yote if you can believe it. Looks just like a blue wolf and it is a monster. I can't ever get its true color to show up on my camera though, which is quite vexing. However the only color phase of the yote I'm missing is the albino/white. I've only seen one true albino, but it was sold before I could get my hands on it. I had a coydog similar to the picture you put up originally, but i traded it for a giant champagne fox. It had dewclaws on the hind feet and 2 dewclaws on one of the hind feet.

 

I've never seen an actual red wolf (although I have a white arctic one of my own that has orange/red down the back), but I'm always so amazed at how many unique colors these canines come in. I even had a wolf at one point that was siamese colored (colored EXACLTY like my cat in my picture). I couldn't believe it!

 

The dew claws are the hangers on the rear inside of the foot I believe. My wolf mount doesnt have them, I think most dogs do or at least my last one did.

 

some dogs have their dew claws removed,

 

All canines have dewclaws on the front feet, one on the inside of each foot. A lot of breeders remove this claw (especially on hunting dogs) so that it doesn't get torn off in thick brush. This is a really bad pic, but I don't feel like taking another right now...lol

 

As most of you know, there has been a re-introduction of the redwolf in North Carolina. There are currently studies underway (on multiple fronts) to learn the true extent of interbreeding between the red wolf and the coyote, and also to understand coyote dispersal in the east.

I am a trapper in NC, and I get to supply samples when I catch a yote.

It is my OPINION (and it is only an opinion) that the red wolf in eastern NC will be bred out of existence. They are not much larger than a big coyote. Not like Northern Grey Wolves. Dominant canine theories don't really work here. I have a friend that traps a ton of yotes every year, and he catches several each year that have distinct red wolf characteristics.

It is generally believed that the reintroduced wolves have spread their genes as far west as Raleigh NC to some extent. Remember, genetics are relative. I'm as caucasian as it gets to look at me, but I am 1/16th Cherokee. Those traits could show up just about anywhere down the line. The smaller the percentage, the smaller the chance.

But - SOMEONE ALWAYS WINS POWERBALL EVENTUALLY, NEVER MIND THE ODDS.

I don't know about the canines in the pic. Could go either way. DNA is the only way to tell.

 

There are so many theories out there Billy it is crazy. Nothing will tell us the truth but the science. We could open up a whole other can of worms, talking about the coyotes in North Carolina. This brings into the discussion running pens, natural migration, the whole freaking "The game commission brought them in to control the deer" conspiracy theory....LOL....

It has been proven that the Red Wolves are no longer "contained" in North Carolina. They have been killed by farmers for depredation well outside of their "core area".

I just know a few facts.

1. Coyotes have no problem breeding with like sized canines.
2. Coyotes have no problem killing and eating smaller canines.
3. I have seen WAY too many different colorations / markings on wild coyotes to be surprised by any coloration.

It is critical that those of us that trap, or those of us that work with harvested animals, assist the Natural Resources folks and other entities studying animals to the best of our abilities. If we don't understand it, we can't manage the resource.

Great discussion Billy.

 

Sorry about that Bill. I think the Y from the last name caught my eye.

I will be real interested in hearing what these guys come up with on these studies.

I am not a taxidermist, but I really enjoy this site. Through the trapping sites I hear of a lot of studies requiring tissue samples. I think that is something that taxidermists could help with.

Sounds like a lot of us here are very interested in the scientific side of things.

 

I like seeing the "oddities". Just wish I had a few of my own to sell....LOL.....

 

I am enjoying the post and for once it didn't get into a YES IT IS - NO IT ISN'T argument! I like to use red yotes for hats and mittens because the regular colored ones everyone mistakes for wolf fur.

 

Bill,

Due to the volume of specimens that roll through this site, it would be cool (IMHO) to set up a place where we could provide specimens to people doing research.

It doesn't take much.

I sent a section of the tongue on my yotes. That wouldn't hurt anyone on here.

Be kind of cool to be able to provide quality DNA tissue samples to people that need them. I know there is a young lady over on a couple of sites that is doing research on bobcats on along the upper stretches of the MS....

 

I'm gonna have to take you for your word on this one