The coyote, Canis latrans, is an adaptable canid established across nearly all of North America. Its widespread presence is attributed to its flexible diet, classifying it as an opportunistic omnivore. This means the coyote consumes whatever is most available and easiest to obtain. The exact composition of its meals changes significantly based on geography, season, and whether it lives in a rural or urban setting.
The Foundation of the Diet: Natural Prey
The coyote’s diet is rooted in animal protein, primarily acquired through active hunting. Small to medium-sized mammals form the bulk of this carnivorous intake. Rodents, especially voles and mice, are a staple food source for coyotes across their range.
Lagomorphs, such as rabbits and hares, are also frequently consumed, particularly during the winter and spring months. Birds and their eggs are another component of the diet, especially those that nest on the ground.
While coyotes typically hunt alone for small prey, they employ cooperative hunting strategies for larger animals, especially where food availability is low. This group effort allows them to target larger species like young deer, fawns or elk calves. In the southeastern United States, coyotes are responsible for a substantial percentage of white-tailed deer fawn mortalities.
Filling Nutritional Gaps: Foraged Foods and Scavenging
While animal protein is preferred, the coyote supplements its diet with passively acquired food, which is important when active hunting is less successful. Plant matter is a consistent part of the diet, with consumption increasing notably during summer and autumn. Coyotes forage for soft mast, including berries, fruits, and melons, depending on what is seasonally available.
The diet also includes grasses and seeds, which help fill nutritional gaps. Invertebrates, such as grasshoppers and beetles, are gathered opportunistically, especially in spring and summer.
Carrion, the remains of dead animals, is a reliable food source utilized extensively when fresh prey is scarce during colder months. Their ability to scavenge helps remove decomposing meat from the environment. Coyotes possess a physiological tolerance for decomposing meat, allowing them to rely on this passive source of sustenance.
Dietary Shifts in Urban Settings
In environments near human development, the coyote diet often shifts to incorporate anthropogenic food sources, reflecting its opportunistic tendencies. This change is driven by the availability of resources associated with human infrastructure. Studies in urbanized areas show that human-provided food, such as unsecured garbage and compost, can become a significant part of the diet.
Pet food left outdoors is a common and easily accessible subsidy that attracts coyotes to residential areas. Ornamental plants and fallen fruit from yards and orchards provide predictable, concentrated sources of plant matter. In areas with high restaurant density, coyotes consume significant amounts of human food waste, such as chicken and pork scraps.
The predation of domestic animals, including cats and small dogs, is a consequence of the coyote’s natural hunting instinct being applied to readily available targets. While this behavior often causes conflict, the frequency of domestic pet consumption varies widely. For example, one study in Los Angeles found domestic cats in 20% of urban coyote scat, while another in Chicago found them in only 1.3% of samples. This variability demonstrates how the specific urban landscape and local food sources shape the coyote’s foraging habits.