Will Coyotes Eat Watermelons

Coyotes will eat watermelons if given the chance.
 

In fact, coyotes eat watermelons quite happily when they come across them in a garden or a farmer’s field.
 

If you’ve been wondering “will coyotes eat watermelons,” the short answer is a big yes.
 

These clever canines are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat almost anything they can find, including sweet, juicy fruit.
 

Watermelons are not toxic to coyotes, and their high water content actually makes them attractive, especially in hot, dry climates.
 

In this post, we’ll explore why coyotes eat watermelons, how they get into them, and what you can do if coyotes start visiting your watermelon patch.
 

Let’s dig in.
 

Why Coyotes Eat Watermelons

Coyotes eat watermelons for several practical reasons, and understanding these reasons can help you protect your crop.
 

1. Coyotes Are Opportunistic Omnivores

Coyotes eat watermelons because they are opportunistic omnivores, not strict carnivores like many people assume.
 

This means that while they hunt rabbits, rodents, and birds, they also happily eat fruits, berries, and vegetables.
 

A coyote’s diet shifts with the seasons and whatever food is easiest to find.
 

When watermelons are ripe and sitting in a field, they become an easy, calorie-rich meal.
 

So coyotes eat watermelons simply because they’re available and require almost no effort to catch.
 

2. Watermelons Provide Hydration

Watermelons are over 90 percent water, which makes them a lifesaver for coyotes in hot, dry regions.
 

Coyotes eat watermelons to stay hydrated when natural water sources dry up in summer.
 

Instead of traveling miles to find a creek, a coyote can get moisture straight from a melon.
 

This is one big reason coyotes eat watermelons so often in arid parts of Texas, Arizona, and California.
 

For a thirsty coyote, a watermelon is basically a drink and a snack rolled into one.
 

3. They’re Sweet and Easy to Break Open

Coyotes eat watermelons because the fruit is sweet, soft, and simple to access.
 

A ripe watermelon has a thin rind that a coyote can pierce with its sharp teeth.
 

Once the rind is broken, the coyote eats watermelons by tearing into the juicy red flesh inside.
 

The sweetness appeals to them, and the soft texture is easy to chew and swallow.
 

Coyotes eat watermelons more often than people realize simply because it takes so little work.
 

4. Watermelons Are Abundant in Summer

Coyotes eat watermelons most often in late summer when melons ripen in gardens and farms.
 

During this season, coyotes are also raising pups and need extra calories.
 

A field full of ripe watermelons is like a free buffet for a hungry coyote family.
 

So coyotes eat watermelons heavily whenever these fruits are in season and easy to reach.
 

How Coyotes Get Into Watermelons

Coyotes eat watermelons by using a few clever methods that show off their intelligence and adaptability.
 

1. Biting Through the Rind

A coyote usually starts by biting into the watermelon’s rind with its powerful jaws.
 

Coyotes eat watermelons by puncturing the outer shell and then ripping it open.
 

Their teeth are sharp enough to crack through even a thick rind without much trouble.
 

Once inside, a coyote eats watermelons by scooping out the soft flesh with its tongue and front teeth.
 

2. Rolling and Breaking Them Open

Sometimes coyotes eat watermelons by pushing and rolling them until they crack.
 

A coyote may bat a melon around with its paws, similar to how a dog plays with a ball.
 

When the watermelon splits on a rock or from the impact, the coyote eats watermelons right there on the spot.
 

This playful behavior is one reason coyotes eat watermelons so effectively.
 

3. Targeting Damaged or Overripe Fruit

Coyotes eat watermelons that are already cracked, overripe, or damaged first.
 

These softer melons are far easier to open than firm, unripe ones.
 

So if you leave bruised watermelons sitting in your garden, expect coyotes to eat watermelons like these before anything else.
 

This is why coyotes eat watermelons that have been dropped or left too long on the vine.
 

Do Coyotes Eat Watermelons in Your Garden?

Coyotes eat watermelons in gardens more often than most homeowners expect, especially at night.
 

If you notice bite marks, clawed rinds, or hollowed-out melons, a coyote has probably been visiting.
 

Coyotes eat watermelons quietly and usually under the cover of darkness, so the damage often appears overnight.
 

To stop coyotes from eating watermelons, you can try a few simple steps.
 

First, harvest watermelons as soon as they ripen instead of leaving them out.
 

Second, install motion-activated lights or a sturdy fence around your patch.
 

Third, remove fallen or damaged fruit so coyotes aren’t drawn to the area.
 

Finally, secure your compost pile, since coyotes eat watermelons scraps and other food waste there too.
 

These steps won’t harm the coyotes, but they’ll keep them from eating watermelons you worked hard to grow.
 

So, Will Coyotes Eat Watermelons?

Coyotes will eat watermelons, and they do so for hydration, nutrition, and because the fruit is sweet and easy to open.
 

Coyotes eat watermelons most often in summer when melons ripen and water sources run low.
 

They eat watermelons by biting through the rind, rolling them open, or targeting fruit that’s already damaged.
 

So if you’re growing watermelons, keep an eye out at night, because coyotes eat watermelons whenever they get the chance.