There were fewer deaths from
coyote predation at site 2 probably because the density of
coyotes was lower as a result of increased rates of hunting
and trapping of coyotes at this site (Kamler 2002). In
addition to predation, coyotes spatially displaced swift
foxes from their home ranges (Kamler et al. 2003b).
Predation and spatial displacement are common among
canid species, and can result in population suppression of
smaller canids by larger canids (Johnson & Sargeant 1977;
Peterson 1995; Crabtree & Sheldon 1999). Of all swift foxes
killed by coyotes during this study, none were consumed,
similar to that reported by previous studies (Sovada et al.
1998; Kitchen et al. 1999). This suggests that coyotes killed
swift foxes for reasons other than food, such as competition
for food or territories.