This poor animal was hit and killed by a car. Tragic and unnecessary though this death was (there are plenty of ways for a young animal to die with out us adding speeding vehicle to the list) a Naturalist lets no opportunity for learning go by. Studying the feet of animals take us a long way in the journey of tracking. Drawing the structure and textures, where fur is present, the overall shape of a foot all are important.
Above is the front foot of a female Eastern Coyote, below the hind foot. I did not have the opportunity to measure this animal but she was not large. The feet are so symmetrical that I have lost track of whether they are right or left. Being early in the winter there is a lot more fur between the toes than there might be the rest of the year, but nothing like a Red Fox has.
Some people may say good riddance to the coyote but I find their presence here rewarding. They live as families just like us.
