Ever wondered what coyotes like the most? Honestly, the answer might surprise you.
Coyotes usually go for small animals like rabbits, rodents, and birds. But they’ll eat fruits, insects, and even leftovers if they come across them. Their tastes shift with the seasons and whatever’s around.
You might picture coyotes hunting solo, but sometimes they team up to catch bigger animals. They’re smart and quick to adapt, which is probably why they thrive in both wild places and cities.
If you know what coyotes like to eat, you can understand how they manage to survive almost anywhere.
What Do Coyotes Like the Most?
Coyotes act like clever eaters who switch up their meals depending on what’s around. They mostly hunt small animals, but they’ll tackle bigger prey or eat plants and insects if they have to.
This flexibility really helps them make it in all sorts of places, whether out in the wild or sneaking around the edge of town.
Preferred Prey: Rabbits, Rodents, and Small Mammals
Coyotes hunt rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals pretty often. These animals give them lots of energy and protein.
Rabbits seem to be a favorite—not only are they everywhere, but they’re also packed with meat. Coyotes rely on their speed and stealth to catch them.
Rodents like mice, rats, squirrels, and voles also play a big part in a coyote’s diet. Coyotes use sharp hearing and a keen nose to track these little critters.
Since small mammals live just about everywhere, coyotes rarely go hungry. This steady food source is important for raising pups and staying healthy.
You can get more details on their diet at bcpestcontrol.com.
Role of Large Prey and Scavenging Habits
While coyotes mostly hunt small animals, they sometimes team up to catch larger prey like deer. When food gets scarce, they don’t mind scavenging.
You might spot a coyote eating carrion—dead animals from roadkill or natural causes. Scavenging takes less energy than hunting, so it’s a handy trick, especially in winter.
Being both hunters and scavengers lets coyotes grab whatever’s available. Working together helps them take down and share bigger prey, but when they’re alone, they stick to smaller meals.
If you’re curious, knowanimals.com explains more about their scavenging side.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Insects in the Coyote Diet
Coyotes don’t just stick to meat. They’ll eat fruits, veggies, and insects to round out their meals.
Fruits like wild apples, grapes, and berries give them a nutrient boost, especially in fall when catching prey gets harder. Sometimes, they munch on vegetables and plants, maybe to help with digestion.
Insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and ants add protein when bigger meals are scarce. Coyotes might also eat lizards or birds, including ground-nesting types like turkeys.
This variety in their diet helps coyotes do well in all kinds of places, even close to people. Want to see how flexible they are? Check ownyardlife.com.
Regional and Urban Differences in Coyote Preferences
Coyotes shift their diets and habits depending on where they live and what’s around to eat. Their preferences can change a lot between eastern and western regions, and especially in cities where life is just different.
Eastern vs. Western Coyotes and Hybrid Coywolves
In the East, you’ll find eastern coyotes. These guys tend to be bigger and have some wolf genes mixed in.
People call these hybrids coywolves. They blend coyote and wolf traits and usually hunt more deer and larger prey than western coyotes.
Western coyotes stick to small mammals like rabbits and rodents, hanging out in open country or deserts. Eastern coyotes adapt to forests and suburbs where deer are common.
These differences explain why coyotes act differently depending on where you see them.
Urban Coyotes and Unusual Food Sources
Urban coyotes live in cities, so their food choices get a little weird sometimes. They’ll eat small mammals, fruits, birds, insects, and often scavenge from garbage or leftover pet food.
Cities like Chicago and San Francisco show that coyotes don’t always rely on trash as much as you’d think.
Urban coyotes tend to be more active at night or early morning to dodge people. They use parks, green spaces, and quiet neighborhoods.
If you want to keep them away, keep pet food inside and make sure your trash bins are secure.
Coyotes and Pets: Do Coyotes Eat Cats?
Coyotes sometimes eat cats. Still, that’s usually just a tiny part of what they actually consume.
Researchers in Chicago found cat remains in only about 1.3% of coyote droppings, and those were mostly feral cats. In Los Angeles, the number goes up—cats show up in 20% of samples, probably because there are so many feral cats around.
Coyotes mostly prefer hunting wild rodents and rabbits instead of pets. If you want to keep your cats and small dogs safe, it’s best to keep them indoors or watch them closely when they’re outside.
You could also try building a catio or a secure outdoor enclosure. That way, your pets get some fresh air but stay protected, even if coyotes live nearby.
