The basis of the pack is the male-female pair. There are usually pups and other subordinate betas present. The betas are most commonly the last years offspring that have not dispersed. The pups and betas are subordinate to the alpha pair. The alpha pair will occasionally assert their dominance by forcing the subordinates to roll onto its back while the alpha stands over it. This behavior is also imitated in the pups. Pup dominance is asserted early through animal play.
Bonds between pack members are reinforced by howling, scent marking, and facial rubbing. The alpha male interacts very little with the other members of the pack unless enforcing his dominance. The only member that he will display affection to is his mate. She will reciprocate this behavior as well. When the female is nursing the male takes sole care of her, bringing her food. He will not bring food for his pups, only his mate.
The subordinates that remain in the pack serve a useful purpose. They can assist in baby-sitting roles in caring for the young, and can provide additional food sources. The juveniles also receive benefits from staying in the pack. They learn valuable hunting skills that they will utilize later in life. Also by staying in the pack an additional year, they are increasing their chances of survival when they do eventually leave. Late dispersers are usually more successful at integrating into another territory than earlier dispersers.
Dispersal in coyotes takes place in the late fall and throughout the winter. Dispersers are usually low ranking beta males who are submissive in their encounters with other members, spend less time with the pack, and have reduced access to food, namely ungulate carcasses. Dispersal was timed to when there was a significant reduction in food access. When food was not readily available, aggression within the pack increased and subordinates would disperse. There is no evidence of a coyote ever being chased out of its natal pack, the pressure to obtain food would make the individual leave on its own. The ability to catch small mammals becomes important at this time. If they are able to catch smaller prey they will stay in the pack, otherwise they will disperse. Also, during the breeding season aggression increased markedly, so coyotes would also disperse often during this period.
Distribution and abundance fo prey represent the most important factors influencing spatial dynamics and social structure for most medium-to large-sized carnivores (Patterson 463). Dispersal rates were highest in the fall when food began to get scarce. Coyote densities were lowest in areas with low prey abundance. Even during periods of high abundance coyotes will strictly maintain their territories to ensure food for upcoming seasons. There is a large variety in diet in different seasons and different environments. When the pack is large this is due to an excess abundance of food. Usually coyotes are solitary hunters, but if the prey is large then the pack will hunt together. If there is an excess amount of food left over, they will cache it and mark it with urine. Large group sizes also occur in areas there is a high territory saturation and low exploitation by humans, such as in national parks.
Courtesy of Tim's Coyote Website
