Next week Quote by Temple Grandin
““We do know, however that almost no animal routinely kills prey animal on an indiscriminate basis. The only wild animal I’ve seen who will sometimes violate this rule is the coyote. Most of the time a coyote eats the animals he kills, but occasionally coyotes will go on a lamb-killing spree, killing twenty and eating only one. I believe it’s possible coyotes have lost some of their economy of behavior by living in close proximity to humans and overabundant food supplies. A coyote that kills twenty lambs and eats only one isn’t going to have to trek a hundred miles to find more lambs next week. Any sheep rancher will have several hundred other lambs that will be just as easy to catch later on, and the coyote knows it. Wild coyotes have probably lost the knowledge that you shouldn't waste food or energy.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: “Coyote Behavior and Human Impact” by Temple Grandin, 2015
Coyotes sometimes waste food because human-altered environments reduce the need to conserve resources, altering natural efficiency.
In simple terms: Human presence changes animal behavior, leading to wasteful hunting.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how human activity reshapes wildlife habits.
Themes
environment
behavior
human impact
ecology
resource management
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
observational
educational
When to use this quote
- livestock farming
- wildlife management
- conservation planning
- urban wildlife interactions
Key Concepts
behavioral ecology
optimal foraging theory
anthropogenic change
Questions to Reflect On
- How does food abundance affect predator efficiency?
- What strategies can ranchers use to mitigate wasteful predation?
A Different Perspective
Not all coyotes behave this way; individual variation and habitat differences matter.
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