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Coyotes will eat watermelons.
And honestly, they seem to really enjoy them when they get the chance.
If you’ve ever spotted bite marks on a melon in your garden and wondered, “will coyotes eat watermelons,” you’re not alone.
These adaptable critters are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything they can sink their teeth into.
In this post, we’ll look at whether coyotes eat watermelons, why they’re drawn to them, and what you can do if these animals start raiding your patch.
Let’s dive in.
Why Coyotes Eat Watermelons
Coyotes eat watermelons for several simple reasons, and once you understand them, it all makes sense.
1. Coyotes Are Opportunistic Omnivores
The main reason coyotes eat watermelons comes down to their nature.
Coyotes aren’t picky eaters at all.
They’re opportunistic omnivores, which means they’ll consume whatever is available, from small mammals and birds to insects, berries, and yes, fruit.
So when a coyote wanders into a garden and finds a ripe watermelon sitting there, it’s basically a free meal.
They don’t have to chase it or fight for it.
They just take a bite.
2. Watermelons Provide Hydration
Watermelons are roughly 92 percent water, which makes them a fantastic source of hydration for coyotes.
This matters a lot in hot, dry climates where fresh water can be hard to find.
A coyote that eats watermelon gets both food and fluids in one go.
That’s a pretty efficient snack for an animal that’s always on the move.
So if you live in an area with hot summers, keeping watermelons in your yard can definitely attract thirsty coyotes.
3. They’re Sweet and Easy to Access
Coyotes eat watermelons because they’re sweet, soft, and simple to break into.
Unlike tough-skinned squash or hard-shelled nuts, a ripe watermelon is easy for a coyote to bite through.
Once their teeth puncture the rind, the juicy flesh inside is ready to eat.
And coyotes have a sweet tooth just like many other animals.
The natural sugars in watermelon make it an appealing treat, especially when other food sources are scarce.
4. Gardens Make It Easy for Them
If you grow watermelons in your backyard, you’re basically setting the table for coyotes.
These animals are highly adaptable and have learned to live near humans.
They often roam through suburban neighborhoods and rural properties at dusk and dawn.
A garden full of ripening fruit is an open invitation.
So when a coyote eats watermelon from your patch, it’s not being malicious.
It’s just taking advantage of an easy meal.
Do Coyotes Eat Watermelon Rinds and Seeds?
Yes, coyotes eat watermelon rinds and seeds along with the flesh.
1. Rinds Are No Problem for Their Teeth
Coyotes have strong jaws and sharp teeth built for cracking bones and tearing meat.
A watermelon rind is soft by comparison.
So they can easily chew through the outer skin to get to the juicy inside.
In many cases, they’ll eat the rind too, especially if they’re hungry.
2. Seeds Get Swallowed Without Issue
Watermelon seeds are small and soft enough for a coyote to swallow without any trouble.
And since coyotes eat a wide variety of fruits in the wild, their digestive systems are perfectly capable of handling seeds.
So if a coyote eats watermelon seeds, there’s no reason to worry about their health.
3. The Whole Fruit Is Fair Game
When a coyote eats watermelon, it typically consumes as much as it can.
That means flesh, seeds, and often the rind too.
Nothing goes to waste when a hungry coyote finds a melon.
Will Coyotes Eat Watermelons From Your Garden?
Will coyotes eat watermelons from your garden?
Absolutely, and they often do.
1. Ripe Melons Are the Biggest Target
Coyotes are drawn to watermelons when they’re at their ripest.
That’s when the sugar content is highest and the scent is strongest.
A coyote can smell a ripe melon from a surprising distance.
So if you’ve been leaving watermelons on the vine a little too long, you might find them bitten into one morning.
2. They Usually Strike at Night
Coyotes are most active during dusk, night, and early morning.
That’s when they do most of their hunting and foraging.
So if coyotes eat watermelons in your garden, you’ll probably notice the damage the next day.
Look for large bite marks, torn rinds, and hollowed-out melons.
3. They’ll Keep Coming Back
Once a coyote learns that your garden has watermelons, it will likely return.
Coyotes are smart and remember food sources.
So if you don’t take steps to protect your crop, you might lose more than one melon.
How to Keep Coyotes Away From Your Watermelons
If you want to stop coyotes from eating your watermelons, here are a few practical tips.
1. Harvest as Soon as They’re Ripe
The easiest way to protect your watermelons is to pick them as soon as they’re ready.
Don’t leave ripe melons sitting in the garden overnight.
The longer they stay out, the more likely a coyote will find them.
2. Use Fencing or Netting
A sturdy fence can keep coyotes out of your garden entirely.
Make sure it’s at least six feet tall, since coyotes can jump surprisingly high.
You can also drape netting over your melons as an extra layer of protection.
3. Remove Attractants
Coyotes are drawn to easy food sources, so keep your yard clean.
Secure trash cans, don’t leave pet food outside, and pick up fallen fruit.
The less inviting your yard looks, the less likely coyotes will stop by for a snack.
4. Use Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers
Coyotes are skittish around sudden movement and noise.
Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can startle them away before they reach your watermelons.
It’s a humane and effective way to discourage them from returning.
So, Will Coyotes Eat Watermelons?
Coyotes will eat watermelons, and they’ll happily do so if given the chance.
These opportunistic omnivores are drawn to the sweet, hydrating flesh and find garden melons easy to access.
So if you’ve been wondering whether coyotes eat watermelons, now you know the answer is a resounding yes.
The good news is that with a few smart precautions, you can protect your crop and keep these clever critters at a distance.
Happy gardening, and keep an eye on those melons.