These include coyotes, gray and red foxes, rodents, ravens, and crows. The most significant nest predators include opossums, raccoons, and skunks. Finally, predators such as feral dogs and cats, under certain conditions, may be more harmful to turkeys as a natural predator. Population densities of many of the more adaptable predators of wild turkeys, including coyotes, hawks, owls, raccoons, crows, skunks, snakes, and rodents, may be as high or higher today than previously in both historic and expanded turkey range. Additionally, increased urbanization has resulted in more feral cats and dogs.
Predation is an important component of a turkey's life cycle.
In contrast, smaller predators, including skunks, raccoons, opossums, and snakes, are the primary nest and poult predators. These may significantly impact turkey populations, but it is questionable whether this impact is significant. The wild turkey has flourished in the presence of predators. Turkeys deal with predators by having large clutch sizes, by having a large body size, by using flocking behavior, and by roosting in trees at night. Studies have demonstrated that high turkey densities are achievable even with high predator densities.