Coyotes are highly adaptable canids found across North America, thriving in diverse environments from wilderness to urban settings. Their ability to adjust their behavior and diet makes them remarkably resilient.
Do Coyotes Eat Tomatoes?
Coyotes can eat tomatoes, along with other garden vegetables and fruits. As opportunistic feeders, they consume what is available, especially when usual prey is scarce. Tomatoes, being juicy and accessible in gardens, can serve as a supplementary food source.
Tomatoes are not a primary component of a coyote’s diet. Their consumption of garden produce often increases during drought or when natural food sources are less abundant, as tomatoes can also provide water. Studies of coyote stomach contents have found evidence of tomatoes and other cultivated foods, particularly where human and coyote habitats overlap.
The Broader Coyote Diet
Coyotes are omnivores, though their diet primarily consists of meat. They hunt small mammals, such as mice, voles, and rabbits, which form a significant portion of their diet. They also prey on birds, insects, fish, and reptiles when available.
Beyond meat, coyotes consume a variety of plant materials, including fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables. Common items include apples, peaches, melons, cantaloupes, corn, and various berries. The proportion of plant matter can fluctuate significantly from 10% to 60%, depending on the season and prey availability. This dietary flexibility allows them to adapt to different environments and seasonal changes in food abundance.
Protecting Your Garden from Coyotes
Protecting a garden from coyotes involves deterrence methods to make the area less appealing. A sturdy fence is an effective physical barrier; it should be at least 6 feet tall and extend 6 to 24 inches underground or 12 inches parallel to the ground to prevent digging and climbing. Steel mesh or chain link can provide greater security.
Removing potential food attractants is important. This includes harvesting ripe produce promptly, picking up fallen fruit, and securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Pet food should not be left outdoors, and compost bins should be enclosed to prevent scavenging. Keeping areas around the garden clear of dense vegetation also reduces hiding spots and make coyotes feel less secure.
Humane deterrents can also discourage coyotes from entering a garden space. Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can startle them, particularly at night. Loud noises, such as yelling or banging pots, and strong smells like vinegar or ammonia, reinforce their natural wariness of humans. These approaches deter coyotes without causing them harm.