Why do coyote attack young humans?

Most predators have a spectrum of prey animals within a certain size range. Coyotes normally prey on smaller creatures, such as rabbits, rodents, frogs, etc., but they will take larger prey if it looks vulnerable. A young child will be inside the range, and relatively helpless, so if the coyote is hungry it may attack. read more

Also, some attacks attributed to coyotes may actually be by coywolves, which are larger. Another factor is that coyotes are very adaptable, and can live on the fringes of urban/suburban neighborhoods, which puts them in closer proximity to humans on a regular basis. read more

Coyote attacks on humans are uncommon and rarely cause serious injuries, mainly due to the relatively small size of the coyote, but have been increasingly frequent, especially in the state of California. In the 30 years leading up to March 2006, at least 160 attacks occurred in the United States, mostly in the Los Angeles County area. read more

How to Survive a Coyote Attack Four Methods: Creating an Unwelcome Environment for Coyotes Encountering a Coyote Facing and Escaping an Attack Following an Encounter with a Coyote Community Q&A The coyote is one of the most common and adaptable animals in North America. read more