Careful removal of the skin from around the neck will reveal the tooth puncture marks. On small prey, such as young lambs and kids, coyotes may kill by biting the head, neck or back, causing massive tissue and bone damage. Some coyotes kill by attacking the flanks or hindquarters, causing shock and loss of blood. This is quite common with calves, but less common with sheep and goats. Young coyotes are more likely to kill in a manner similar to dogs, and some coyotes may kill in an atypical fashion throughout their adult life.
Coyotes normally begin feeding in the flank or just behind the ribs.
Feeding on the hindquarters is also common, and small animals may be entirely consumed. The shape of tracks, the length of stride, the prominence of nail marks, and the pattern of travel are all used to differentiate between dogs and coyotes. The coyotes' hind tracks tend to follow directly in line with or on top of their front tracks. In contrast, a dog's rear tracks are slightly to one side of the front tracks. Coyote tracks are generally longer and narrower than dog tracks.