Space and habitat use by resident and transient coyotes

We radio-tracked 10 coyotes (Canis latrans) from April 1996 to March 1998 o n Fort Riley Military Reservation, Kansas, to compare movements, habitat us e, and survival between resident (breeders and pack associates) and transie nt coyotes. Home ranges of resident coyotes were mutually exclusive, wherea s those of transient coyotes overlapped the home ranges of other coyotes. E xcursions from home ranges were made by all resident pack associates but no t by resident breeders. Grassland habitats were used more than expected by resident coyotes but less than expected by transients. Woodlands and cultiv ated lands were used more than expected by transients. Transient coyotes us ed areas between the home ranges of resident family groups. Annual survival rates were higher for resident than for transient coyotes. Avoidance of re sident coyotes by transient coyotes may explain differences in space and ha bitat use by coyotes.