Quick answer
Coyotes feed on rodents, rabbits, deer and fruit, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Coyotes feed on rodents, rabbits, deer and fruit, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Coyote diet overview
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are best summarised as Omnivore (rodents, rabbits, deer, fruit). Anatomy and habitat (Prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How coyotes find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Coyote role in the food web
As consumers in their food web, coyotes move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild coyotes. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
Adaptability and intelligence
Few large predators have adapted to human change as well as the coyote. As wolves were removed from much of North America, coyotes expanded their range across the entire continent, including into major cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. They are intelligent and flexible, adjusting their diet, activity times, and social behaviour to local conditions — becoming more nocturnal and secretive where people are common.
Diet and hunting
Coyotes are omnivores that hunt small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, but they will also take birds, reptiles, insects, carrion, and fruit, and occasionally cooperate to bring down larger prey like deer. This broad diet lets them survive almost anywhere. In urban areas they also scavenge food waste, which can draw them closer to people.
Sources
Coyote FAQs
What do coyotes eat?
Coyotes feed on rodents, rabbits, deer and fruit, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the coyote?
Canis latrans — used in research and conservation listings for coyotes.
Where do coyotes live?
They are associated with Prairie, desert, forest, mountains, cities. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of coyotes?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.