Coyotes are brave and fearless animals. These animals are one of the smartest and opportunistic species in nature. You will be hard-pressed to find a coyote starving as they eat almost anything. So do coyotes eat raccoons? This article looks into it

Coyotes do eat raccoons. Raccoons are a relatively easy animal for coyotes to hunt. They are small enough for a single coyote to hunt and kill. Both animals are nocturnal and coyotes can see in the dark allowing them to see raccoons. A raccoon’s defenses won’t do much to ward off a determined coyote.

Do coyotes eat raccoons?

Coyotes will eat raccoons, coyotes will eat almost anything they can put in their mouths.

These animals are omnivores but 90% of their diet consists of meat, they prefer to eat meat over plant matter. These animals usually hunt for fresh meat and they can do this alone or in packs.

A coyote pack will prey on a large prey animal and a single coyote will eat smaller animals, raccoons being one of them.

The relationship between the coyote and the raccoon is a predator and prey relationship.

Just as with any other predator and prey relationship, the prey, being the raccoon, makes an effort to avoid being eaten. The predator, the coyote, develops strategies to more effectively catch the prey.

How coyotes hunt and catch raccoons:

Raccoons are nocturnal, they scavenge for food during the nighttime. This also happens to be when coyotes are out hunting, these predators are also nocturnal.

Coyotes are able to hunt and catch raccoons at night because their eyes have many more rod receptions than humans. This allows them to see in the dark

Coyotes are skilled predators, they hunt and kill raccoons with not much effort. Both adult and juvenile coyotes hunt and kill raccoons. Raccoons don’t have the strongest defense against predators.

When raccoons feel threatened they will growl, scream, hiss, and scratch to try to threaten the coyote. Raccoons will also make sure their teeth are visible and prominent, this is a warning sign to the coyote.

Coyotes will take their chances and attack the raccoon even with all this warning. If attacked, the raccoon can use its teeth and claws to fight off a coyote but in the end, the coyote is superior.

What else do coyotes eat?

Coyotes can eat both plant and animal matter, their favorite meals include small mammals such as mice, rabbits, shrews, and voles.

They are opportunistic feeders and will also eat foods like skunks, insets, roadkill dear, the occasional never, and even frogs.

Coyotes are fast, their top speeds can range from 32 to 42mph making them an excellent predators. Many of the animals that they prey on don’t stand a chance. These animals also eat dogs, skunks, squirrels, and cats, click the links to find out more.

Coyotes sometimes eat their prey alive, click here to find out more

These animals may be predators but they do not have a strict meat-only diet.

Their claws and teeth are powerful but aren’t always used to tear into prey at every meal. The coyote will also happily feed on plant matter like berries, pawpaw, fruits, and other plant matter.

What other animals eat raccoons?

Raccoons live in various habitats. These animals adapt easily to their surroundings, and just like coyotes, they are most active at night. This exposes them to many predators like wolves, great horned owls, and foxes.

Wolves: Wolves are carnivores that hunt and kill various animals including raccoons. These animals work in packs to hunt large prey, they hunt alone as well. A lone wolf can easily kill a raccoon. Wolves can fight and kill coyotes as well, click this link to find out more.

Great horned owls: Great horned owls are intimidating birds with bodies that range from 18 to 25 inches long. Birds generally prey on much smaller animals but this bird is powerful enough to kill a raccoon. This owl is a major raccoon predator.

Alligators: Racoon predators aren’t only confined to dry land. Predators can live in water bodies as well. An adult alligator may eat mammals if available. The alligator will attack the raccoon as it gets close to the water

In urban areas: Racoons don’t have any natural predators in urban areas. Generally, humans get rid of large predator animals like coyotes, wolves alligators, birds of prey, and foxes when they build. In these areas, raccoons are only disturbed by irritated homeowners.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, coyotes do eat raccoons.

Coyotes are fast, intelligent, and cunning animals and they will easily catch, kill and eat a raccoon. Both animals are active at night and coyotes are able to see in the dark making it even easier to catch their raccoon prey.

The raccoon may hiss and bear its teeth to try to threaten or scare the coyote but if the coyote is set on eating the raccoon, it will.

The last line of defense that raccoons have is it’s claws and teeth, if those don’t work then the raccoon will be eaten.

A coyote can eat almost anything. These animals are omnivores, they eat both plant and animal matter. Coyotes prefer meat but will eat fruits and other plant matter.

Other animals that raccoons should look out for are great horned owls, alligators, wolves, and foxes.