nalexandroum's blog

Although coyotes (Canis latrans), wolves (Canis lupus), and domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are capable of interbreeding and producing viable offspring, the article suggests that any instances of them interbreeding are brought on more by necessity for the survival of the species than by a preference for individuals of another species. For example, the article mentions that the latest hybridization event between dogs and coyotes is likely a result of female coyotes traveling into upstate New York, where a lack of coyotes was more than made up for by an abundance of feral dogs, and yet now that the coyote populations are thriving and growing, coyotes have no shortage of coyotes to mate with and so show no interest in mating with dogs. The same thing occurred a century ago when wolf populations were at a dangerous low in the Great Lakes, so they had to settle with mating with coyotes. Under normal circumstances they would not choose to breed between species, which suggests that coyotes, wolves, and domestic dogs are three separate species. 

The creature in the container appears to be some sort of caterpillar or larva. It has a body that is overall creamy yellow in color, with a head that is darker brown. The tail-end is a darker color than the main body, although it is not as dark as the head, and the lightest part of the body is the middle between the head and the tail. There is a line running down the center of the body from the head to the tail that is darker than the surrounding areas and appears to be a structure inside the body. The larva's body is segmented into approximately 13 different segments, including the head, and is approximately 2-3cm in length. Each segment has a small spot at the bottom of it, and these spots are found on both sides of the body. The body's overall shape is oblong, and it tapers slightly at the head and tail areas. There are no immediately obvious limbs, however closer inspection reveals short, stubby legs along the length of the body and more prominent legs at the front of the body near the head. There is a small, thorn-like protrusion at the tail-end. The larva moves around by moving its body in a wave-like motion from the back end to the ead.

The creature in the container is a creamy yellow color and the head is a darker brown color. Its body is segmented into about 13 different segments, including the head, and it appears to be approximately 2cm in length. The body is oblong with no obvious limb structures, although on closer inspection it appears to have very small legs, and its overall body shape tapers slightly at the head and tail areas. It moves around by moving its entire body in a sort of wave-like motion that begins from the back and ends at the head. The head is distinguishable by being darker in color and there appears to be a small, thorn-like protrusion at the tail. There are prominent legs at the front of the body. The bottom of each segment has a little spot found on both sides of the body. The legs on the rest of the body are less prominent and more stubbly. The tail-end is darker in color than the body, although not as dark as the head. The middle of the body is lightest in color. There is a darker line running down the middle of the body from the head to the tail.