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occurring in all habitat types on the study area during October, 1979. The <br /> results of the scent-station survey and the corresponding indices of rela- <br /> tive abund�uice are presented in Appendix B, Part 3 and sunnnarized in Table <br /> 3. For conj,arative purposes, the results of two federally-surveyed lines <br /> conducted by United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1978 are <br /> presented in Table 4. The 1979 resuirs of he surveyed lines are not avail- <br /> able. <br /> Scent-station results indicate that tie coyote is the most abundant mam- <br /> malian predator in the vicinity of ti-,e Nucla mine. CamL.arison of the <br /> scent-station data with the results of' the federal lines indicate that coyote <br /> populations in the vicinity of the Nucla mine were well below the 1978 <br /> stage and regional averages. <br /> The coyotFM occurs throughout Colorado, from the eastern plains through the <br /> central. t;r�i;?itains to the western border. Some of the largest coyote popu- <br /> lations o<-cur in the southeast region of t::e state (personal cor;rrninication, <br /> ;arch 1980, 1.an Balser, Colorado Wildlife Research Unit) . Rodents and <br /> rabbits are the Hain itu-ntis of diet, but they may depend on berries, carrion, <br /> gar,e anirrols, and dcrostic sheep in certain circumstances and at certain <br /> tines of the year. <br /> A species of fox was the second most abundant predator encountered at scent- <br /> stations in the vicinity of the stud, area. Although different species of <br /> foxes are difficult if not impossible to distinguish on the basis of tracks, <br /> it is believed that the fox encountered in the Nucla area was the red fox, <br /> although gray foxes were encountered on the nearby federally-surveyed line. <br /> Red foxes are secretive animals and are very rarely seen; none were seen <br /> by DVVRIAH's field personnel. However, interviews with local residents and <br /> DOW personnel (Rick Sherman) indicate that the red fox is the one most <br /> co manly observed in the area. In any case, foxes appear to be quite <br /> ccEm-on in the area as the fox index as deter=, ed from scent-station data <br /> was above that recorded for the gray fox on the nearby survey line and the <br /> state avQrages for both the gray fox and red fox. Both foxes eat a variety <br /> of animals, and plants including ma—ta .als, birds, reptiles, ari,:'�i rs, insects, <br /> eart;r.��rn rX.rries, grasses and for:­,s (Le—,hleitner 1969) . <br /> -41- <br /> J U N i i i 980 <br />