What Are the Coyote's Enemies?

The dog-like coyote, which lives throughout Canada, North America and down into Central America, is a successful wild predator. More widespread than any other U.S. predator, its adaptability is likely the key to its survival. Even so, being a medium-sized predator in countries where much larger carnivores roam means the coyote has more than its share of enemies.

  1. Humans

    • Human hunters kill coyotes as pests.

      The top enemy of the coyote is humans who often see the animal as a pest, which can kill livestock and domestic pets. Hunters using guns, traps and poison kill coyotes, as does accidental death caused by motor vehicles and farm machinery.

    Gray Wolf

    • The gray wolf is a larger cousin of the coyote and can kill the smaller animal.

      In areas of Canada, the far northern U.S. and Mexico where the coyote crosses paths with its larger cousin the gray wolf. The two species are in conflict over food. A single coyote could easily be killed by an adult wolf who can outweigh it by 130 lbs. and around a foot in length. A pack of wolves will kill intruding coyotes and a coyote pack would kill a lone wolf.

    Red Wolf

    • The red wolf and coyote compete for food and habitat.

      The red wolf, found only in a small area around North Carolina, also comes into contact with coyotes. The two canines are similar in size and appearance, although the wolf is a little larger. The two compete for food, and if in a pack, both will chase off and kill possible members of the other species.

    Mountain Lion

    • The mountain lion is a deadly killer known to feed on coyotes.

      The mountain lion is one of the top predators in the U.S. and is mostly found in the western region of the country. Living in similar habitats to the coyote, the big cat is known to potentially prey on the small canine. The cat weighs over 200 lbs. more than a coyote and is almost 2 feet longer in length. A solitary coyote would be an easy kill for the mountain lion.

    Grizzly and Black Bears

    • A hungry grizzly bear would readily kill and eat a coyote given the chance.

      In Alaska, Canada and a few northern U.S. states the coyote comes into contact with North America's second largest predator. The brown bear, known in the U.S. as the grizzly, outweighs the small canine by almost 1,300 lbs., is about 3 feet longer and generally just much larger. The grizzly eats almost anything it can get including fruit, nuts, tubers and leaves. It is also a carnivore and will eat from dead animal carcasses and hunt almost any animal it can including coyotes and elk. The black bear is more widespread, but does not hunt as much as the grizzly. If its cubs are threatened by a coyote, however, the bear will kill to protect its young.