Coyotes may be fierce predators with high running capacity, but that doesn’t make them immune to being on the menu for other predators. What eats coyotes?
Background on Coyotes
Predominantly categorized as carnivores, coyotes are omnivores – they tend to eat both plants and animals. With about 90% of its meal consisting majorly of meat, the coyote hunts and preys on defenseless and weaker animals like the deer, moose, pigeons, mull, snakes, fish, young water birds, and crustaceans. For centuries, coyotes have been able to adapt and increase their habitat across various environments, even more boldly, areas inhabited by humans. Interestingly, they prey on amphibians except for toads because of their foul skin secretion, which wards off predators. A pretty fascinating fact is that coyotes kill rattlesnakes to serve as food and protect against vicious attacks on their pups. They first deceitfully tease the snake, which then stretches out, allowing the coyotes an excellent angle to clap their jaws against the head of the snake and finally take it out.
What Eats Coyotes?
Gray wolves, cougars, American black and grizzly bears, American alligators, large Canada lynx, and golden eagles eat coyotes. Regardless of its fierce hunting skills, the coyote sure knows its boundaries regarding the food chain. Though they appear staunch when dealing with their prey, they are also vulnerable when they contact predators like wolves and cougars, as listed above.
Coyotes Predators: Wolves
Being one of the most predominant predators of coyotes, wolves hold the record of being the sole facilitator of a 39% decline in the population of coyotes in the Lamar River Valley during the reintroduction of wolves in the 1990s. A study reports a 33% decline in the population of coyotes in the Grand Teton National Park compared to other parks devoid of wolves. The later development is in correspondence to predator activities of wolves on coyotes. Wolves have an inherent rage for this canine species and tend to kill and eat coyotes whenever the latter trail them for their kills.
Coyotes Predators: Cougars
Cougars are wild and large cats belonging to the subfamily Felinae. They are renowned as ambush predators, feasting on various prey, with our guest, the coyote, being one of its favorites. Cougars have zero tolerance for coyotes but can yield a kill to a pressurizing pack of coyotes – this deprives them of the title of an apex predator. They are very good at stalking their prey, which makes them prefer habitats with dense underbrush or hilly areas. Other times, the cougar can easily ambush and eat a coyote.
Coyotes Predators: American Black and Grizzly Bears
Grizzlies are predominantly found in North America; they belong to the order Carnivora, making them have a digestive system like other carnivores. Grizzlies, just like coyotes, are omnivores, and they also eat coyotes. Other mammals that fall prey to the grizzly bear include the moose, elk, and the bison, to mention a few.
Coyotes Predators: Canada Lynx
The Canada lynx is often referred to as a specialist predator whose presence in a particular settlement or range is dependent on the availability of prey. It is very stealthy in its ambush, as it can easily take on an unsuspecting coyote. The Canada lynx eats coyotes, and it is also very fond of the hare. They are sparsely domiciled across Alaska, Canada, and some Northern areas of the United States. Canada lynx can be categorized by its long, triangular-shaped ears with black tufts likened to a hoisted flag. This predator hunts mainly at night and can kill its prey with a bite to the head or neck.
Other Coyotes Predators
American Alligators are apex predators – very voracious and deadly. They eat coyotes and other mammals, fish, amphibians, and birds. The American Alligator, scientifically referred to as Alligator mississippiensis, is the largest species within the family Alligatoridae. An adult male American alligator can weigh over 1230 pounds (560kg) and measures an exotic 11.2 to 15.7 ft (3.4-4.8m) in length. The teeth, when clasped together, can kill a trespassing coyote instantly.
Golden EaglesHumans
Coyotes are at higher risk when they move alone; they move individually outside their pack. In a kill site, they can easily be dominated by wolves, grizzly bears, cougars, or other deadly predators when they don’t work cooperatively as a pack to make a steal. Otherwise, they would have to wait for the top predators to satisfy their stomachs, after which they can make use of the leftovers.
Other Facts about Coyotes
First off, coyotes are clever sets of mammals. They have good vision and a high detective sense of smell. Coyotes can run up to 40 miles per hour. It is proven that they are more effective when they hunt in packs, thereby reducing coyote casualties and increasing productivity. During spring, female coyotes give birth to litters of three to nineteen pups – this increases their population and improves the strength of their hunting pack. Coyotes are very particular about their young ones; they would kill rattlesnakes for the dual purpose of food and security of their pups. If they survive, the pups will be ready for hunting by the following fall. Coyotes are sometimes called brush wolves and make distinctive calls in communication.
Coyotes Now Found in 49 U.S. States
Once restricted to the prairies and desert areas of Mexico and central North America, coyotes can now be found in every U.S state except Hawaii. Since the 1700s, these clever, highly adaptable creatures have expanded their range across an entire continent to Canada – populating rural and urban areas. According to National Geographic, since the 1950s, coyotes have increased their habitat by 40% – twice the rate of any other North American carnivore.
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