Coyotes consume moles as part of their varied diet. Moles are typically an opportunistic food source rather than a primary one. This reflects the coyote’s flexible nature, allowing them to thrive by utilizing available food resources.
Understanding Coyote Diets
Coyotes are generalist predators, displaying adaptability in their dietary habits. Their diet encompasses a wide array of food items, reflecting an opportunistic feeding strategy. Small mammals, such as rodents, rabbits, and voles, form a significant portion of their intake. Beyond mammals, coyotes also consume birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
Plant matter, including fruits and berries, becomes a more prominent part of their diet during certain seasons, particularly summer and fall. Coyotes are also effective scavengers, readily feeding on carrion when available. While they primarily hunt smaller animals individually, they may occasionally target larger prey like deer fawns, often scavenging or hunting cooperatively for these. This broad diet allows coyotes to adjust their foraging based on seasonal availability.
Moles as a Prey Item
Moles are part of a coyote’s diet, though not a staple food source. Coyotes consume moles opportunistically, especially where species habitats overlap. The local abundance of moles can influence how often they are preyed upon. If other preferred prey items are scarce, coyotes may turn to moles as an alternative.
The ease of capturing moles, which spend most of their lives underground, also plays a role. While coyotes dig for moles, unearthed moles are sometimes left untouched, suggesting that consumption is not always guaranteed. Moles represent a supplementary food source, taken when conditions are favorable or other options are limited.
How Coyotes Hunt Small Prey
Coyotes employ specific techniques when hunting small, burrowing animals like moles. They possess a keen sense of hearing, allowing them to detect subtle movements of prey underground. Once a coyote identifies a burrowing animal’s location, it often exhibits a characteristic pouncing behavior. This involves a sudden leap into the air, followed by a forceful descent onto the suspected prey location.
The pounce is designed to surprise and incapacitate the subterranean animal. Coyotes use their front legs and claws to pin down or capture prey upon landing. This hunting method is effective for catching rodents and other small mammals hidden beneath the surface. Success rates can be influenced by factors such as snow depth, with higher success in shallow snow conditions.