The life cycle of animals and their battle for survival in the wild is fascinating for many people. While some animal species are hunters, others are being hunted. Wolves and coyotes are both predators, but have you wondered whether predators eat each other? Do wolves eat coyotes?

Wolves usually do not eat coyotes, but sometimes they do. Wolves will not actively hunt coyotes to eat them because they are not wolves’ favorite food, and they will eat them only on occasion. When coyotes try to steal wolves’ food, they end up being attacked and sometimes even eaten.

Wild animals do not fail to surprise us over and over again. In the wild, it is a normal thing that the same species eat one another, so it is not a surprising fact that you look were looking for an answer – “do wolves eat coyotes”?

If the relationship between wolves and coyotes interests you, who is the stronger and more dominant predator, keep reading!

Do Wolves Eat Coyotes?

Most of the time, a wolf won’t hunt and kill a coyote in order to eat it. Wolves eat meat, so why wouldn’t they eat coyotes as well?

The reason is simple: wolves do not hunt and eat coyotes because they see them as competition and not as food sources. Wolves eat big hoofed animals that offer more and better meat sources for their pack members. And so, the bulk of their diet comes from deer, moose, or elk.

Related posts: Do wolves eat fish?

On the other side, coyotes usually prey on small animal species, such as rabbits, rats, squirrels, beavers, snakes, and even birds.

More often than not, wolves ignore coyotes in the wild. But coyotes are opportunistic and tiring creatures that will hang around wolves and try to feed on their kills. Wolves then become very aggressive, which sometimes results in deadly confrontations.

Generally speaking, wild predatory animals usually do not eat other predator species. Their meat does not offer as much nutritional value as big herbivore animals.

Yet, in the wild, food is often scarce, and winters are long and hard, so if wolves are struggling for survival, they would eat coyotes.

Do wolves kill coyotes?

Yes, wolves do kill coyotes. Wolves usually attack and kill coyotes when they come near their territories or when they try to scavenge their food. In fact, most coyote deaths from wolves take place near areas where wolves previously have killed their prey.

Wolves are larger and more dominant predators than coyotes, and if wolves get their paws on a coyote, they will kill it.

It is believed that in places where coyotes and wolves mostly overlap, the density of coyotes is decreasing.

In general, coyotes avoid conflicts with wolves; they know that they are weaker, so they’ll always stay on guard.

Wolves and coyotes

Wolves and coyotes are different animals, but they have a lot in common and share many traits. Originating from the same ancestor, both coyotes and wolves have a dog-like appearance. Although wolves are bigger and heavier than coyotes.

More often than not, wolves and coyotes live in the same territories. In fact, in most parts of the United States, these canids live in the same areas.

As a result, territories (besides food) are the main reason these dog members fight each other. Wolves do not tolerate coyotes in their neighborhood, and if they see them, they’ll chase them. On the other side, coyotes are cunning animals, and they would trail wolves to steal their food.

Both species mostly eat meat, and feeding on carcasses is also common for both animals. As we mentioned earlier, wolves usually hunt big herbivores animals, while coyotes feed on smaller species.

Although coyotes have the power to take down deer, most of the time, they are solo hunters, and they’ll usually hunt smaller prey.

Yet, trying to steal food from their big brothers is always an option. And as long as wolves and coyotes live in the same habitat, there will be blood.

Animals that eat coyotes

Coyotes do not have many predators in the wild; however, apart from wolves, a few big animals are known for killing and eating coyotes.

• Brown Bears – sometimes referred to as grizzly bear, live in North America and has the reputation of one of the most deadly land predators on the earth. Brown bears are omnivores, and they have a wide diet. Coyotes are not a favorite meal, but if the opportunity arises, a brown bear will take down and eat a coyote.

• Cougars – are the second largest cats in North America, recognized by their cat-like appearance. These muscular cats are adept hunters who mainly feed on deer. Adult cougars are also known to feed on elk, moose, sheep, and mountain goats. While younger ones prefer smaller prey, including coyotes.

• American Alligators – spend most of their time in the water, while coyotes rarely go in the water, despite the fact they are good swimmers. So encounters between two species are seldom. Alligators eat fish, snakes, turtles, and other water animals. But these creatures are very opportunistic feeders, and they’ll grab anything that comes near water, including coyotes.

• Eagles – are powerful and strong hunters, and they are being observed to hunt much larger prey than themselves. These birds of prey have razor-sharp talons that can rip the flesh from the prey. Depending on location, eagles feed on fish, other birds, and a variety of other mammals. Eagles usually do not hunt and eat adult coyotes, but they are seen preying on the pups.

Conclusion

Wolves usually do not eat coyotes, yet, they can’t stand each other, and they are fierce enemies in the wild. That competition often results in bloody confrontations.

Encounters of these two members of the dog family are not rare. Wolves and coyotes share the same habitat in many places, and most conflicts happen because of the territory or food.

Besides wolves, coyotes have to pay attention to few other predators in the wild. However, for most of them, coyotes are not the favorite meals, and predation on coyotes doesn’t seem to be a result of predators seeking out coyotes as a food source.