Primary Foods:
* Small mammals: This is the core of their diet, including rodents (like mice, rats, voles, and rabbits), squirrels, and other small mammals.
* Birds: They prey on birds, both on the ground and in trees.
* Insects: They'll eat a variety of insects, especially grasshoppers and beetles.
Secondary Foods:
* Larger mammals: Coyotes will sometimes take down deer fawns, young livestock (like sheep and goats), or even weak, sick, or injured adult animals.
* Carrion: Coyotes are scavengers and will eat dead animals, including roadkill.
* Fruits and vegetables: They'll eat fruits (especially berries), nuts, and other plant matter when available.
* Reptiles: Occasionally, coyotes will eat snakes and lizards.
Factors Affecting Diet:
* Location: Their diet varies based on the environment they live in. In areas with lots of rabbits, they'll eat more rabbits. In areas with lots of fruit, they'll eat more fruit.
* Time of year: During breeding season, they need more food to raise pups.
* Competition: The presence of other predators (like wolves, bears, or mountain lions) can affect what they eat.
It's important to note: While coyotes are known for their scavenging habits, they are also skilled hunters and can be very successful at catching prey.