Coyotes less promiscuous than humans, study suggests

Chicago - Unlike humans, coyotes living in cities are monogamous and stay faithful to their mates, as found by a recent study conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University.

World Science reported that researchers performed genetic sampling of 236 coyotes living in Chicago area over a period of 6 years. They found that the coyote couples remained monogamous and did not look for any other mates while their mate still lived. Such loyalty to mates was maintained despite living in dense population groups and having enough food supply – factors that often lead other canines to seek multiple mates. Ecologist and co-au­thor of the study Stan Gehr was quoted telling that abstaining from philandering is one possible factor underlying the notable success of raising young ones among coyotes. He added that a male coyote recognizes every one of his pups and spends an equal amount of time as his mate in raising his pups. Coyotes have reportedly thrived in Illinois over the years, with an estimated 30, 000 in the state, and at times have been reported to cause safety concern of pets, though occasionally also for humans. However, coyotes have in exceptional cases been raised as loving pets friendly toward people and other animals.