* High Reproductive Rate: Rabbits reproduce very quickly, having multiple litters of young per year. This rapid breeding allows their populations to bounce back quickly from periods of low numbers.
* Dietary Flexibility: Rabbits are herbivores and can thrive on a wide variety of vegetation. This allows them to adapt to different environments and access food sources more easily than coyotes, which are carnivores.
* Predation Pressure: Coyotes are predators of rabbits, but other factors can influence coyote population size. Disease, lack of prey, or competition from other predators can limit their numbers.
* Habitat Availability: Both rabbits and coyotes need suitable habitat to survive. If an area has abundant vegetation for rabbits and limited resources for coyotes, rabbits may be more numerous.
It's important to note that the balance between predator and prey populations is constantly fluctuating. Factors like disease, weather events, and human activity can all influence the relative abundance of rabbits and coyotes in a particular region.
So, while rabbits have a higher reproductive rate and are more adaptable, there's no guarantee that they will always outnumber coyotes. Their populations are intertwined, and their relative numbers are subject to change based on a variety of factors.