Do Coyotes Ever Eat Their Own Pups?

While disturbing to consider, coyotes generally do not eat their own offspring. Coyotes are known for strong parental instincts, fiercely protecting and caring for their pups while teaching them survival skills. They typically have an abundant food supply, making cannibalism unnecessary, and they live in family groups called packs that work together to raise the young.

Rare exceptions can occur. In extreme cases of starvation, a coyote might resort to eating its pups if no other food is available, though this is incredibly uncommon. If a pup is severely injured or sick, a mother may abandon or even kill it as a survival strategy to protect the rest of the pack, though not necessarily to eat it.

Overall, coyote cannibalism is extremely rare and usually happens only under dire circumstances.