Coyotes

The coyote is the most prevalent big predator in Minnesota. Although they occasionally kill large animals and cattle, coyotes typically concentrate on small creatures. Coyotes and their bigger cousins, the timber wolves, often get along poorly. The coyote, another adaptable North American predator that may be found throughout the United States and is continually expanding its habitat, is another predator of the porcupine. Despite being smaller than its relative, coyotes can still do significant damage to residential dwellings and will hunt chickens and other birds. They may attack any rodent as well as sheep, rabbits, and hares because of their wide-ranging diet.

A similar technique of turning the porcupine onto its belly is employed by coyotes. This works particularly well if the coyote is hunting with a companion, which is something coyotes have been observed to do. It will be simpler to catch the porcupine and turn it over if it is encircled and unable to escape. Coyotes have been observed specifically targeting porcupines in pairs, turning them over to eat from their stomachs. Only mature, experienced coyotes have been observed doing this behavior; smaller ones have been observed hurting themselves on porcupine quills.