Ever wondered if coyotes eat human remains? Well, the answer’s yes—they can. Coyotes act as scavengers and opportunistic eaters, so if they stumble across a dead body, especially one that’s easy to reach, they might feed on it.
This usually happens when a body’s left somewhere unsecured, giving coyotes a chance to get close.
Coyotes mostly eat small animals, fruit, and sometimes even human food waste. Still, they won’t ignore a good scavenging opportunity. Their sense of smell is ridiculously strong, so they’ll often find remains long before anyone else does.
Knowing this makes it a bit easier to understand why people sometimes report coyotes feeding on human bodies in neighborhoods. It’s not common, but it’s not impossible either.
If you live somewhere with coyotes around, it’s worth thinking about how you secure your property. Keeping wildlife out can be a real challenge sometimes.
Curious about why and how coyotes might end up eating human remains? Let’s dig in.
Do Coyotes Eat Human Remains?
Coyotes eat all sorts of things, depending on what they find. Usually, they hunt small animals, but they’ll scavenge dead creatures—including bigger carcasses—if they get the chance.
Sometimes, this includes human remains, though it’s not their first choice.
Evidence of Coyotes Feeding on Human Remains
People have found coyotes feeding on human bodies in a few documented cases. In Long Beach, California, for example, authorities found a home where a deceased man’s remains were scattered. Coyotes likely caused the damage, according to the coroner’s report, which described missing ribs and other bones.
If someone finds a carcass quickly, they can confirm if coyotes scavenged it. When remains sit out longer or get scattered, it’s tough to prove what happened. Coyotes are the biggest predators in a lot of city neighborhoods, so when animal activity shows up on human remains, they’re often the main suspects.
Why Coyotes Might Scavenge Human Bodies
Coyotes take advantage of whatever food they find. If a human body’s left out and easy to reach, coyotes will notice it from a long way off because of their sharp noses.
They don’t hunt people, but if a body’s just lying there, they might scavenge it. In cities, coyotes adapt by eating whatever’s available, from food waste to carrion.
They’re pretty agile, too. If a door or fence is open or broken, they can get into yards or even homes.
Comparison with Other Wild Animals and Carcass Scavenging
Lots of wild animals scavenge dead things—foxes, vultures, even some big birds. But in cities, coyotes stand out because bigger predators like bears or bobcats usually aren’t around.
Coyotes sometimes carry off long bones and scatter remains, which can make things confusing for investigators. Unlike animals that only hunt live prey, scavengers like coyotes focus on leftovers.
Coyotes really are flexible eaters. One day they’ll go after small animals, the next they’ll scavenge whatever they find. If you want to learn more about how coyotes eat dead animals, there’s plenty of info out there on their scavenging habits.
Coyote Behavior, Diet, and Potential Dangers
Coyotes are nothing if not adaptable. They eat all kinds of food, depending on what’s around.
Usually, they hunt small animals, but if they find something to scavenge, they’ll take it. Understanding how they eat and act can help you stay safe and tell them apart from other animals.
Typical Coyote Diet and Scavenging Habits
Coyotes eat small mammals like rabbits, mice, and squirrels. They’ll also go after insects, birds, fish, and frogs.
Sometimes, they munch on fruits and plants, too. When food gets scarce, they’ll scavenge carcasses or dig through human garbage.
Most coyotes hunt alone or in pairs, not in big groups. They’re good at changing up their diet, which is probably why they do so well in cities and the countryside.
Coyote Attacks and Human Safety Risks
Coyote attacks on people don’t happen often, but they can be dangerous to kids and pets. Most issues start when coyotes lose their fear of humans, usually because they find food near homes or people feed them.
To keep safe, don’t leave pets outside alone—especially at dawn or dusk when coyotes are most active. Lock up your trash and don’t feed wildlife.
If you spot a coyote acting bold, make loud noises and try to scare it off.
Differences Between Coyotes, Wolves, and Coywolves
Coyotes are smaller than wolves. They usually stand about 2-3 feet tall and weigh somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds.
Their fur looks grayish, and they have bushy tails with black tips. You’ll often see that tail hanging low when they run.
Wolves? They’re bigger, and you’ll almost always spot them traveling in packs.
Coywolves are kind of a wild card. They’re a mix of coyotes and wolves, so they can end up bigger than coyotes but not quite as large as wolves.
You might notice coywolves pick up traits from both sides—sometimes it’s their size, sometimes it’s how they act. It’s honestly pretty fascinating.
If you want to figure out which canines are roaming around your area, knowing these differences really helps. Coyotes don’t usually form packs like wolves do; they stick to being alone or hanging out in small family groups.
For more info on coyote behavior and how to keep safe, check out coyote safety tips.
