Who Chews?

On the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, someone has a taste for pinyon pine.


Pinyon with a chunk of bark missing


Even larger and older de-barked area

After finding marks on a 1/2 dozen trees, the mystery had me hooked, so I set a cam on one.


Camera set with chewed pinyon pine and suspicious burrow under small rock

4 weeks later, I had pics of 5 terrific species. But, I didn't think they answered the riddle.

So, I showed all the photos to bio-bud Craig to discuss the possibilities. Of course, he knew the "who chews?" immediately. And, I have to say I was surprised - it wasn't something I thought existed anymore in our nape o' the American way.

I'm sure some of you fine folks from lands further east knew right away too.

But, for those still wondering, let's take a look at the 5 species the camera trap saw. If even just to rule out the innocent suspects.

Two character coyotes stopped by the scene. Perhaps, in these arid lands, their urine is extra caustic, and they're burning the bark off the trees?  :)


Coyote digging and smelling


Listening


Listening and smelling and looking at camera


Coming to check out camera (be nice!)


Back to listening


More digging and smelling


Plunge


No luck

The second coyote dropped in for a bit of the same. Looks like both were much more interested in whatever lives under the rock, than in the pinyon tree, huh?


A silvery song dog sniffs the burrow under the rock


Listening - note the notch in the ear


Listening


Offers paw for truce hand shake


Poses regally

A couple of fine looking yotes, that's for sure. But they aren't our bark biters, of course.

We'll look at the next of our fab five furry candidates this Friday.

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References: 

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Canis latrans
• Wikipedia - Coyote
• Nature of a Man (this blog) - posts on cam trapping the Mono Basin

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