hierarchy | Coyote Yipps

Acceptance of Who’s Boss?

: dominant guy rushes in

: intimidated guy backs up with ears back

: intimidated guy lifts paw as a peace gesture

: intimidated coyote gets the message

: intimidated coyote runs off

: intimidated coyote runs off

: intimidated coyote runs off

: intimidated coyote, when crowded, snaps

: both coyotes together and mutually occupied

: dominant coyote again lords it over his sibling

: intimidated coyote w/ears back diverts his gaze

: both coyotes, together, mutually occupied

The more dominant of these two coyotes ran up to the other to intimidate him to bug off. It appears to be a compulsive behavior. He has always been successful in his bullying toward this fellow, but notice that, although the intimidated fellow runs off, he does not depart far or for long. Is he building a tolerance for the other’s behavior, treating it as just a minor inconvenience by letting it happen and then sidestepping it? He’s not quite standing his ground and being his own man but neither is he avoiding this dominating fellow — he has no fear of consistently, although carefully, approaching the dominant fellow when his curiosity is raised.

Looking Up To A Coyote Sibling and Sibling Curiosity

: following and leading

: following and leading

: checking on the follower

: looking to the leader for a cue

: looking toward the leader

: what’s the leader doing?

Of course, the pups in a family always look up to their mother. And she, the mother, leads and disciplines with care and firmness and affection. But when the mother is not around, or at least not close by, I’ve actually seen a hierarchy among the siblings. It’s less that there is a leader than that there is a follower, though I’ve seen the leader check on the other. The follower waits for, and looks up to the other sibling. I’m still seeing this behavior at one-year of age. Maybe this hierarchy is permanent? They BOTH constantly check on what the other is up to — there is always an immense curiosity and interest in this!

The leader is generally bolder and can be seen more often exploring on its own, or exploring just with the mother. The follower is much shyer and prefers not to be seen by people, flees quickly, and only hangs around if either the sibling or mother are there.