Coyotes (Canis latrans) are one of North America’s most adaptable and widespread canids, thriving from remote wilderness to dense urban centers. They are highly successful mesopredators, but their populations are regulated by consistent pressure from various sources. The primary threats to coyotes range from apex predators in the wild to the overwhelming influence of human activity, which contributes significantly to their mortality.
Natural Predators of Adult Coyotes
The most significant natural threats to a healthy, established adult coyote are the larger apex carnivores that share its territory. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) are the most effective natural predator, often engaging in competitive exclusion where their ranges overlap. Wolves view coyotes as direct competitors for resources and actively hunt and kill them, a behavior focused more on eliminating rivals than securing a meal. This aggressive persecution can lead to a substantial decline in coyote numbers, with some studies showing a population decrease of over 30% in areas of wolf reintroduction.
Cougars (Puma concolor) are another major predator, especially in western North America. While cougars primarily target deer, they opportunistically kill coyotes, sometimes without consuming the carcass, suggesting competitive aggression. Black and grizzly bears (Ursus americanus and Ursus arctus horribilis) also pose a threat, generally acting as opportunistic predators. Bears will kill coyotes to defend a carcass or their young, or take advantage of an isolated coyote, though the coyote’s speed often allows it to evade a direct attack.
Threats to Pups and Juveniles
Coyote pups and juveniles face a wider array of predators than adults due to their small size and vulnerability, particularly when confined to the den. Large raptors are a significant natural threat, with the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) being the most capable avian predator. Golden eagles have been observed attacking and killing coyote pups, and they are capable of taking down small adults through aerial assault, especially during winter months.
Terrestrial meso-carnivores also target the young, including badgers and bobcats. Bobcats may opportunistically prey on pups, which is a factor in the competitive relationship between the two species. Badgers may kill pups they encounter in or near a den, though they typically avoid conflict with adults.
Intraspecific Conflict
A significant source of mortality for coyotes is conflict with other coyotes, known as intraspecific strife. Coyotes are territorial animals, and violent disputes between neighboring packs or family groups are common, often leading to serious injury or death. These conflicts are typically driven by the need to defend valuable resources, such as hunting grounds, mates, or den sites.
Transient or solitary coyotes, often young adults dispersing from their birth territory, are particularly vulnerable to attack from established packs. These individuals are viewed as intruders and are aggressively repelled or killed. In some cases, established pairs will also kill the pups of rival coyotes in adjacent territories to reduce future competition.
Anthropogenic Mortality
Human activity is the most prevalent and widespread cause of coyote mortality across North America, far outweighing natural predation. This anthropogenic mortality is divided into intentional removal and unintentional causes. Intentional removal efforts, often undertaken by government agencies like the USDA’s Wildlife Services or by private individuals, involve methods such as shooting, trapping, and snaring. Hundreds of thousands of coyotes are killed annually through these programs, which are frequently aimed at reducing perceived threats to livestock or managing populations in urbanizing areas.
Unintentional mortality is also a major factor, with vehicle collisions being a dominant cause of death, especially in urban and suburban environments. In some metropolitan areas, vehicle strikes account for a substantial percentage of known coyote deaths, with studies reporting figures ranging from 35% to over 60%. The combination of intentional culling and accidental deaths confirms that humans represent the single greatest threat to the coyote population.