Valley coyote

Valley coyote
A coyote at Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve in 2017
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Canidae
Genus:	Canis
Species:	C. latrans
Subspecies:	C. l. ochropus
Trinomial name
Canis latrans ochropus (von Eschscholtz, 1829)
Synonyms
Canis ochropus ochropusvon Eschscholtz, 1829

The valley coyote (Canis latrans ochropus), also known as the ochraceous-footed coyote, San Joaquin Valley coyote, or California valley coyote, is a subspecies of coyote endemic to the lower Sonoran regions of San Joaquin Valley in California. Their population occurs in California west of the Sierra Nevada, except in the northern section.

Taxonomy

The valley coyote was first described in 1829 by Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz. It was the second subspecies of coyote to be named behind the plains coyote. ^[1]

Etymology and terminology

The specific name "ochropus" is derived from Ancient Greek okhros, "ocher", and pous, "foot", hence the alternative name ochraceous-footed coyote. ^[2] Other names for the valley coyote include the San Joaquin Valley coyote and California Valley coyote. ^[3]

Evolution

The valley coyote is most likely to be the direct descendant of the Pleistocene coyote, since the type specimen of the Pleistocene coyote shares a few, slight differences from the valley coyote, and also that most Pleistocene coyote finds have been found in Southern California, where modern valley coyotes can be found. ^{[4] [5]}

Range and distribution

The valley coyote is found to the west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is commonly found throughout the foothills and valleys near that area. ^{[6] [7]}

Attacks on humans

See also: Coyote attack

As is with other coyotes subspecies, valley coyotes seldom attack humans and such cases are extremely rare.

In October 1981, three-year-old Kelly Keen was grabbed and dragged across the road by an urban valley coyote in her father's driveway. While the coyote was chased away by her father, she succumbed to a broken neck and blood loss. ^{[8] [9]} This is one of two fatal coyote attacks on humans which have been confirmed by experts.

References

1. Feldhamer, George A.; Thompson, Bruce C.; Chapman, Joseph A. (2003-11-19). Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation. JHU Press. ISBN   978-0-8018-7416-1.
2. Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp.  279, 390. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
3. Grinnell, Joseph. "Review of the Recent Mammal Fauna of California". University of California Publications in Zoology. 40 (2). Berkeley, California: 71–234.
4. Museum, Los Angeles County (1915). Guide to the Exhibit of Fossil Animals from Rancho La Brea: Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, and Art. Dept. of Natural Sciences. Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and Art.
5. California Outlook. California Outlook. 1916.
6. Hendrickson, Arthur Howard; Voorhies, Edwin Coblentz; Woll, Fritz Wilhelm; Hendry, George Whiting; Hibbard, Paul Llewellyn; Kelley, Walter Pearson; Webber, Herbert John; Thomas, Edward Ellis; Condit, Ira Judson (1919). Mariout Barley: With a Discussion of Barley Culture in California. Agricultural Experiment Station.
7. Merriam, C. H. (1897). "Revision of the coyotes or prairie wolves, with descriptions of new forms". Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington. 11: 19–33.
8. "Coyote Attacks on Children". Varmintal.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
9. Timm, Robert M.; Baker, Rex O.; Bennett, Joe R.; Coolahan, Craig C. (March 20, 2004). "Coyote Attacks: An Increasing Suburban Problem" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.