Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
shot forward like an arrow from a bow. As it accelerated, it threw a backward glance at me. This was
a major mistake: a branch caught the rocketing animal under the chin as it turned its head forward, and
the hapless creature was knocked half off its feet. Finally, the coyote managed to get its act together and
depart with whatever speed and remaining dignity it could muster. For my part, I stood there shaking
with laughter, for the whole performance was uncannily like something from a Roadrunner cartoon! So
much for the notion that animals always perform efficiently.
Despite this temporary display of ineptness, the coyote is not a cartoon character. Yes, the Roadrun-
ner will go on flattening Wile E. Coyote in the world of cartoons, but meanwhile the real coyote is here
to stay. Whether one loves it, hates it, or takes a much more realistic view that this is simply a very
interesting predator that is now part of our ecosystem, the coyote is an extraordinary survivor!
