Coyotes (Canis latrans) are highly adaptable canids native to North America. They are generalist carnivores, meaning their diet is remarkably diverse and shifts based on environmental availability. This flexibility allows them to thrive across a wide range of habitats, from wildlands to urban areas.
Common Animal Food Sources
Coyotes primarily consume small to medium-sized mammals, which form the bulk of their diet across most regions. Rodents, such as mice, voles, and rats, are a particularly important food source due to their abundance and relatively easy capture. A single coyote can consume over 1,000 rodents in a year.
Rabbits and hares also constitute a significant portion of a coyote’s common animal prey. While larger than rodents, they are still manageable targets for a coyote. Ground squirrels are another frequent meal, especially in grassland environments where they are plentiful. Coyotes employ various hunting techniques, including stalking and pouncing, to capture these agile prey animals.
Opportunistic Animal Prey
Coyotes are highly opportunistic predators, preying on other animals when conditions allow. This includes larger mammals, such as deer fawns, particularly during their vulnerable early weeks. They may also prey on domestic livestock like sheep and goats, or small domestic pets.
Birds, especially ground-nesting species and poultry, can become opportunistic prey. Reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, and amphibians like frogs and salamanders, are also consumed, often when more common prey is scarce. Additionally, coyotes eat a variety of insects, including grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles.
Non-Animal Food Sources
While primarily carnivorous, coyotes supplement their diet with various non-animal food sources. Carrion, or dead animals, is a significant component of their diet, providing a readily available source of protein. Coyotes act as scavengers, consuming carcasses of various sizes, including large ungulates like deer or even bison if found.
Fruits and vegetables are also regularly consumed by coyotes, particularly when in season. This can include berries like blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, as well as apples, peaches, and even cactus fruit in desert environments. In areas near human habitation, coyotes may also forage on human-associated food sources, such as pet food left outdoors, discarded trash, or produce from gardens.
Dietary Influences
A coyote’s diet is profoundly influenced by several environmental factors. Geographical location plays a significant role, as different ecosystems offer varying types and abundances of prey. For instance, coyotes in forested areas might consume more deer, while those in grasslands focus on ground squirrels.
Seasonal availability also dictates dietary shifts; for example, fruit consumption increases in summer and autumn, while reliance on carrion or more resilient prey might rise in winter. The density of local prey populations directly impacts what coyotes eat; if a particular prey species is abundant, it will likely constitute a larger portion of their diet. The presence and extent of human activity can also influence a coyote’s food choices, leading them to incorporate human-derived food sources.