Limiting Factors

Density-dependent:

• Overcrowding of coyotes will lead to the overhunting of smaller mammals (rabbits, prairie dogs) and eventually the starvation of coyotes, leading to a decline of population. This decline of coyote population will lead to the rise of the small mammal population, and the cycle starts again.
• Diseases spread much faster in denser populations such as that of the field mouse when compared to the population of hawks or other solitary, low density animals.

Density-independent:

• Natural disasters such as prairie fires will thin out populations, regardless of the population density.
• Human interactions, such as the damming of the Kansas River or the over-hunting of the rattlesnake population, will effect the population regardless of the density before the human effects took place.