Use of habitats by coyotes (Canis latrans) in Joshua Tree National Park, California

During 2007-2008, we counted fecal deposits (n = 266) of coyotes (Canis latrans) and lagomorphs in Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California, as a measure of relative abundance along 473 (115,336 m²) transects in three habitats differing in degree of activity by humans. We recorded abundance of lagomorphs and characteristics of habitats. Relative use of campgrounds by coyotes was greater than use of wilderness or day-use areas for all sampling periods. There was no significant relationship between relative abundance of coyotes, lagomorphs, and small mammals, but there was a positive relation between abundance of coyotes and presence of boulders.