Ever wondered what’s on a coyote’s menu? Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, which means they’ll eat just about anything available. Their diet includes small mammals, birds, insects, fruit, carrion, and even human trash. Whether in the wild or in cities, coyotes are expert scavengers and hunters, adapting their food sources to what’s most accessible.
What Do Coyotes Eat in the Wild?
In natural environments, coyotes primarily eat meat. They’re skilled hunters, especially at night, and prey on animals that are easy to catch and abundant.
Common wild food sources include:
- Rabbits and hares – A favorite due to their size and availability
- Rodents – Mice, rats, voles, squirrels, and chipmunks
- Birds and bird eggs – Ground-nesting birds are common targets
- Reptiles and amphibians – Frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles
- Insects – Grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and caterpillars
- Deer (fawns or carrion) – They rarely kill adult deer, but they will feed on injured or dead ones
Coyotes also scavenge from larger predators, feeding on leftover carcasses of animals killed by wolves, mountain lions, or bears.
What Plant-Based Foods Do Coyotes Eat?
Though mainly carnivorous, coyotes also eat fruits, vegetables, and grains, especially when meat is scarce. This part of their diet is particularly important in the fall and winter months.
Plant foods coyotes commonly eat:
- Berries: Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and elderberries
- Fruits: Apples, pears, melons, grapes, persimmons, and plums
- Nuts and seeds: Acorns, sunflower seeds, and corn
- Grass and wild vegetables: Used occasionally to aid digestion
These natural food sources add variety and nutrients to their diet, especially when animal prey is limited.
What Do Coyotes Eat in Urban Areas?
Urban coyotes adapt quickly to human environments. While they still hunt small animals, they also rely on food sources related to human activity.
Urban and suburban coyote diet includes:
- Trash and garbage: Coyotes will rummage through unsecured bins for leftovers
- Pet food: Outdoor pet dishes are easy meals for coyotes
- Compost piles: Especially those containing food scraps or fruit peels
- Small pets: Cats, small dogs, and backyard chickens may become prey
- Rodents: Cities offer plenty of rats, mice, and squirrels
- Fruit trees: Fallen or low-hanging fruit from gardens and yards
Because of this wide diet, coyotes thrive in suburban neighborhoods, golf courses, parks, and even downtown areas.
How Much Do Coyotes Eat?
Adult coyotes typically eat about 1.5 to 3 pounds of food per day, depending on availability and the time of year. Nursing females and pups may consume more to support their energy needs.
When food is abundant, coyotes may overeat and store extra fat. In lean times, they can survive on very little, thanks to their efficient metabolism.
What Do Baby Coyotes Eat?
Coyote pups nurse from their mother for the first 3–4 weeks. After that, the parents start bringing them regurgitated meat and soft foods.
Pups begin eating:
- Small pieces of rabbit, rodent, or bird meat
- Soft fruits or berries
- Insects like crickets or beetles
By 8 to 12 weeks, they begin hunting small prey on their own with supervision from adults.
Do Coyotes Eat Pets or Livestock?
Yes, coyotes will eat small domestic animals if the opportunity arises. While it’s not their first choice, they’ve been known to attack:
- Outdoor cats
- Small dogs, especially when left unattended
- Chickens and ducks in backyard coops
- Lambs, goats, or calves on farms, though attacks are less frequent
Most attacks happen at night or in the early morning. Proper fencing, lighting, and keeping pets indoors can reduce these risks.
Do Coyotes Hunt in Packs?
Not usually. Coyotes are solitary or live in small family groups. They typically hunt alone, but parents may team up to catch food for their pups. In rare cases, a group of coyotes may cooperate to take down larger prey like a deer fawn.
How Does the Coyote Diet Change with the Seasons?
Coyote diets shift based on seasonal availability. Their ability to switch between meat, fruit, and scavenging makes them one of the most adaptable predators in North America.
| Season | Main Food Sources |
|---|---|
| Spring | Rodents, rabbits, nesting birds, eggs |
| Summer | Insects, berries, small mammals |
| Fall | Fruit, nuts, squirrels, carrion |
| Winter | Deer carrion, rodents, trash, larger game if available |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are coyotes carnivores or omnivores?
Coyotes are omnivores. They eat both animal and plant-based foods depending on what’s available.
Do coyotes eat snakes?
Yes. Coyotes will eat snakes, including venomous species if they can catch and kill them safely.
Will coyotes eat human food?
Yes. Coyotes will eat leftover food, trash, or even packaged goods if they find them in accessible areas like campsites or garbage bins.
Do coyotes eat bones?
Coyotes may chew on bones for calcium and to clean their teeth, but they prefer to eat soft tissue and organs.
Conclusion: Coyotes Eat What’s Available
So, what do coyotes eat? Just about everything. From rodents and rabbits to berries, insects, and garbage, coyotes adjust their diet to match their surroundings. This dietary flexibility is a big reason why they thrive in deserts, forests, and city neighborhoods alike. Understanding what coyotes eat helps us better manage encounters and protect pets and livestock in shared environments.
Want to explore more about coyote behavior and survival tactics? Check out our full wildlife series to learn how these clever canines thrive in any habitat.