Written by Bronwyn Earthman, Kroening Nature Center Naturalist
In recent weeks at North Mississippi Regional Park, there have been several sightings of an elusive animal that camouflages so well that they are often hard to spot. You may not see them, but they sure see you! They will wait, blending in with their surroundings, watching and patiently waiting for you to pass by, before continuing on to hunt for their next meal. This animal is the coyote, a medium sized canine that lives all over Minnesota, including right here in Minneapolis!
Coyotes are carnivores, which means they eat other animals, typically small rodents such as rabbits, mice and squirrels. Sometimes, they will hunt a larger animal, such as a white-tailed deer, but to do so, they must hunt in a pack with other coyotes to increase their chances of success. There are a few key traits that make coyotes cunning hunters. Their sharp teeth are well suited to the task of tearing into their prey, and their strong jaws help them keep a tight grip on their meal. They can also run up to 40 miles per hour! Their keen senses of smell, sight and hearing also contribute to their success as predators; their sense of smell is about 20 times better than that of a human, and they can hear you up to a mile away.
This time of year, the park’s coyotes are preparing themselves for the long, cold winter ahead. Thankfully they have a special adaptation to help them survive and thrive in the cold. The thick fur coat they start growing in early fall is critical to keeping them warm. The outer layer of their coat is made up of coarse guard hairs, while underneath is a softer layer of fur for insulation.
As the most vocal member of the dog family, coyotes make many different sounds and vocalizations, including barks, howls and yelps that echo for miles. Coyotes will howl to call to their pack, and the pack will howl together when they reunite after a night of hunting. Coyotes can also recognize other coyotes by their howl, which means they know when a howling coyote is from a different pack. Young coyotes are leaving their families this time of year in search of new areas to live in and potentially establish a new pack, which could explain why we have been seeing coyotes more often in the park.
Come visit the Kroening Nature Center to see if you can spot some coyotes or other wildlife!
January Programs at Kroening Nature Center:
Birding Basics · Saturday January 6, 9-10 a.m. Free for ages 8+ (activity #3040). We will practice looking and listening for birds as we take a walk on accessible trails in the park.
Nature Tots: Secrets of Snow · Saturday January 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free for ages 2-6 (activity #2909).
Discover the secrets of snow! Play and experiment with snow and examine snowflakes.
Homeschool Day: Insulation Science, Thursday January 11, 1-3 p.m. Free for ages 5-12 (activity #2870).
Learn about materials animals use to stay cozy in winter, then construct a nest to keep a “jello critter” warm using natural materials.
Family Funday: Squirrels · Saturday January 13,10:30-noon. Free for all ages (activity #2889). Join a naturalist on a hike to look for squirrels and their tracks, play a squirrel game, and make a squirrel craft to take home.
Feathered Fridays · Friday January 19, 9-10:30 a.m. Free for all ages 18+ (activity #4072). Learn distinguishing characteristics of birds found in the park while strolling with a naturalist through the park. All experience levels welcome.
Nature Art: Art on the Landscape: Snow and Ice · Saturday January 20, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free for all ages (activity #2891). Sculpt and create with the nature around you! Make structures and patterns with ice and snow, and add color to the wintery landscape.
Black to Nature: Science and Beauty of Snow · Friday January 26, 6-8 p.m. Free for all ages (activity #874). Take a walk under the full moon, hear snow tales from local artists and make your own snow globe to take home. Family friendly event for all that holds space for those who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color.
Noticing Nature on Snowshoes · Saturday January 27, 10:30-noon. $5/person, for ages 18+ (activity #3046). Tap into your senses and ground yourself in nature as you explore the park with a naturalist guide. Snowshoes provided. Afterwards, warm up with some hot cocoa.
Adventure Hub Highlight: Winter Recreation · Saturday January 27, 1-2 p.m. Free for all ages (activity #2890). Drop in and try out a new way to have fun in the wintertime! Snowshoes, kick sleds and skis will be available for free to borrow and use in the park.