What Do Coyotes Eat?

What Are Coyotes?

Coyotes are canine species native to North America. They are smaller than wolves, but not quite as small as red or eastern wolves. They fill a similar ecological niche to the golden jackal and other canine species. Learn what they eat and where they live. This article will provide basic facts about coyotes and what they eat. It will also provide you with some tips to help you protect your backyard from coyotes.

What does Coyotes Like To Eat The Most?

Coyotes eat a wide variety of fruits, including deer, rabbits, and other wildlife. They are able to forage during their normal time, but they also feed on carrion. Because coyotes rely on carrion, they typically hunt at night and during the daytime. While plums and blackberries are in season in South Carolina, a coyote’s diet may include a large number of insects. They also eat birds, small mammals, and reptiles.

Coyotes Diet Vary With Season Change

During the summer, coyotes hunt for small mammals. Their diet includes rabbits, squirrels, and ground squirrels. During the winter, they prey on dead animals, including pigs and cows. If you’re in a warm climate, it might be helpful to plant a variety of edible plants to ward off the critters. These plants, along with fruit, are great sources of nutrients.

Coyotes Most Common Food

The most common foods that coyotes eat are deer, hares, and rabbits. They also rely on carrion to supplement their diet. During the day, coyotes sleep and hunt under the moonlight. For example, in the fall, they will eat plums and blackberries, which are rich in vitamin C and potassium. It is also important to keep in mind that they will feed on deer fawns.

Coyotes Are Omnivores In Nature

During winter, coyotes eat woody plants. These plants are trees and shrubs with hard stems and buds that can survive winter. Because of their hard stems and leaves, coyotes find them easier to scavenge. Knowing where these types of plants grow can help hunters determine the best times of the day to hunt them. They are highly adaptable animals, so they can eat anything that is edible. Fresh meat is a prime source of protein for coyotes. It’s also an important source of vitamins and minerals for the animals. It is estimated that 80 to 90% of the diet of coyotes is comprised of meat.

How Coyotes Eat Their Food

Coyotes might be be nocturnal in nature, they are also active during the day. Their daily routine includes chasing after prey. The first thing they do when catching a prey is to begin with the stomach. Unlike their predators, coyotes can easily penetrate the stomach and feed on the flesh. They typically choose to eat the hindquarters and legs as these parts contain the most meat. They also eat bones as a source of calcium and break them down. They do not swallow whole bones; they chew them to make them more digestible.