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Wildlife and Birding in the
Adirondacks |
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The coyote is a medium-sized wild
canid with slender legs, small feet, prominent erect pointed ears,
and a narrow pointed muzzle. The 30.5-38.1 cm (12-15 in) tail is
bushy and drooping. Each foot has four clawed toes which support the
weight. A fifth toe on each foot is reduced in size, bears a dew
claw, and does not touch the ground. The rather course fur consists
of long guard hairs that overlap the dense underfur. The yellowish
eyes have round pupils. Above the coyote is grayish, reddish, or
yellowish brown grizzled with black. The underparts are paler. A
black patch occurs at the base and the tip of the tail, and on the
front surfaces of the ankles. The upper surfaces of the feet, backs
of the ears, nape, muzzle, and outsides of the legs are tan or
rufous. The relative amounts and blending of color vary among
individuals. Reddish, blackish, and pale (blond) color phases occur.
The coyote is the largest wild canid
inhabiting the Adirondack Park. (The gray, or timber wolf (Canis
lupus Linnaeus) was present in the Adirondacks until the late
1800’s, when it was extirpated). Averaged-sized adult coyotes are
about 122 cm (48 in) in total length, and weigh 10.9-17.7 kg (24-39
lb). Males are heavier than females. There are a few records of
Adirondack coyotes weighing 22.7-25 kg (50-55 lb). A 33.9 kg (74.8
lb) coyote, taken in the state of Wyoming, represents the maximum
weight.
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Black bears inhabit the extensive
forest lands of northern New York, particularly those within the
Adirondack Park. The Adirondack region is "home" to a healthy
population of nearly 4,000 black bears. Until the arrival of a few
moose in recent years, black bears were the largest New York mammal,
with some adult males weighing in excess of 600 pounds.
Bears have been described as "big,
black eating machines" because foraging for food is a near constant
activity except in winter. Adequate food resources are important for
growth, reproduction, and building fat reserves for winter survival
in their den.
Adirondack black bears eat a wide
variety of foods. Approximately 90 percent of their diet is plant
material consisting of not less than 30 different plant species. The
remainder is primarily insects, but bears also will scavenge
carcasses of larger animals, and, if the opportunity arises, prey
upon live white-tailed deer fawns, small woodland mammals, and
beaver.
Bears are very well adapted for
finding and gathering food. They have a keen sense of smell,
powerful "forearms," long claws, tremendous endurance, and are adept
with their tongue and paws. As a result, black bears can "dig out"
plant tubers or small rodents, tear apart rotten logs to find grubs,
climb trees and break off branches to gather nuts, "pick"
raspberries and blueberries, and travel long distances in search of
new food resources.
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A long nose with a prehensile
upper lip, a dewlap or bell at the throat, and size distinguish the
moose, the largest of our Adirondack mammals. Maximum weight for the
northeastern subspecies (Alces alces americans) is
approximately 636 kg (1400 lb). Males (bulls) are almost one fourth
heavier than females (cows). Males bear enormous palmate antlers
which develop from the frontal bones of the skull each spring; they
are shed in winter. Females are similar to males but as in most
cervids, do not develop antlers. Both sexes have long legs
(shoulders higher than the rump), a short neck, and a short, stumpy
tail. The coat consists of a dense woolly underfur, and coarse,
hollow guard hairs, which form a 15-25 cm (6-10 in) mane on the
shoulders. Moose are grayish or dark brown in spring and blackish
brown in winter. The lower legs are gray to white. Females have a
white patch around the genital area.
The moose was once an integral part of
the Adirondack fauna. No one can confidently attest to the species'
demise, but Merriam's record of a 364 kg (800 lb) cow shot near
Raquette Lake in 1861 is often cited as the last of the Adirondack's
moose. Several unsuccessful, crude restoration attempts occurred
around 1900, which would explain, for example, the young bull shot
near Newcomb, Tahawus Upper Works, during the period 1907-1909.
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