Why does a coyote turn black?

T

TomBulls

New member
The burning question on my mind right now is... why do coyotes fur turn black? Is it something in their diet, something in the water, or is it something that happens when they reach a certain age? They look really wicked when their coat turns black, but is it really rare for that to happen to a coyote?


Thomas
 
I believe that the color of a coyotes' pelt is genetic, like the traditional gray/browns, blondes, and reds. Once in a while black coyotes will appear in the gene pool, actually I have never seen a pure black yote. The few that looked black only did so from a distance and were actually a salt and pepper, heavy on the pepper. A good book to read on the coyote is "EASTERN COYOTE: The story of its success" by Gerry Parker. It has a lot of interesting info on color phases and how they entered into the coyotes gene pool. Some of it speculation, but interesting none the less.
 
I have only called in and shot three black coyotes if I remember correctly. All of them were right here in western Iowa. I see it as a rare color phase in my area.
 
it is deffinately a genetic trait for melanism! since they really aren't black the real term should be melanistic ,but black sounds good to me!
whatever you call them they a are awesome to look at!
 
Melanistic or color phase, they are one and the same and are a genetic trait. Coyote fur doesn't actually "turn" black, they are born with the trait and will be so all of their lives. Coyote fur will bleach out during the winter thus spring coyotes being lighter colored. The loss of guard hairs also add to the bleached look.

I have never seen a black coyote but several folks here have shot them and posted pictures. They sure are neat looking. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 


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