You can tell a lot about a Coyote’s diet by examining its droppings. Moreover, the contents of the scat can reveal much about how the environment and food supplies change with the seasons. The droppings in the pictures below were photographed at various times between the beginning of October 2013 and the end of December 2013.

In early October the fields and grasslands of North Texas are filled to the brim with an abundance of grasshoppers. Prime among these are the familiar yellow Differential Grasshopper.

This Coyote  scat is loaded with Differential Grasshopper skeletons.
This Coyote scat is loaded with Differential Grasshopper skeletons.

As the temperatures cool with the coming of autumn, the grasshoppers become sluggish. On many days they are slow moving or even unmoving until the noonday sun has a chance to warm them up.

Differential Grasshoppers in late October.
Differential Grasshoppers in late October.

In this state of torpor the grasshoppers are easy pickings for a whole host of predators, Coyotes included. At this time of year Coyote scat becomes loaded with partially digested grasshopper exoskeletons. Grasshopper legs are particularly noticeable.

Later, as the season progresses, the cold eventually kills off any remaining grasshoppers, and the Coyotes switch to a more vegetarian based diet. Mesquite and Honey Locust beans become a staple. Undigested seeds begin to appear in Coyote droppings, often making up the bulk of their mass.

This mid-October Coyote scat contains pieces of grasshoppers, seeds, and animal fur.
This mid-October Coyote scat contains pieces of grasshoppers, seeds, and animal fur.
In early November Coyote droppings begin to contain vegetable material.
In early November Coyote droppings begin to contain vegetable material.
In late November Coyote droppings may be made up mostly of Mesquite seeds and seedpods as this one is.
In late November Coyote droppings may be made up mostly of Mesquite beans and other seed, as with this example.

By the end of December things change again. Coyote dropping now begin to be filled with fur, indicating that the omnivorous Prairie Wolf is again feeding on small mammals. The coarse white fur in the photograph below would suggest that the Coyote has been dining on Raccoons or easy to catch Opossums.

Towards the end of December Coyote scat begins to fill with fur indicating another change in diet.
Towards the end of December Coyote scat begins to fill with fur indicating another change in diet.

3 Replies to “Coyote – Scatology”

  1. I have a picture of some scat of sorts that I have been seeing in the AZ Desert. It is bright yellow/gold at times. Could I send you a picture and aee what animal you think it’s from?

  2. Large male coyote , or part wolf ? Larger than my 65lb Siberian Husky off leash. Left his den .Has set up camp along west Humber river. Woodbridge , Ontario. 2 current sitings .
    Crossed our path at noon walk . Very callous, baiting older Retriever. Trail of skunk fur , crow feathers. Hidden fresh half black squirrel attained by my Husky ‘Cobra’. And large brown poops mark his territory. Are we seen as a food supply threat ? Salmon season approaching.
    Is he our mouse predator or stalking Beast ??
    Please advise on safety measures. 7 recent coyote bites, attacks in Burlington.

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