Denning coyotes ( Canis latrans ) select fine-scale habitat characteristics that promote den stability in a protected area

Den selection is critical to reproductive success and offspring survival in many mammal species, but little is known about den site selection by wild coyotes (Canis latrans) outside of urban contexts. We examined the third- and fourth-order habitat characteristics of 42 Coyote dens in Elk Island National Park, a protected natural area in central Alberta, Canada. Using resource selection functions, we evaluated 3 hypotheses: that coyotes select dens based on (i) physical den suitability; (ii) security from predators, people, or dogs; and (iii) access to food and water resources. Coyotes exhibited strong fourth-order selection for dens with cohesive, inorganic soils and steep slopes that promote structural integrity and drainage. Structural supports such as roots and abandoned but persisting Beaver (Castor canadensis) infrastructure were common. We found limited evidence of selection for features that promoted security, contrasting other studies that found security to be an important predictor of den sites. We found no evidence for selection based on local resource availability. Our findings indicate that fine-scale habitat features related to den stability are the primary drivers of den site selection in wild coyotes in this ecosystem and suggest that den selection is flexible and context-dependent in response to local environmental pressures.