Coyotes play a major role as top predators in the Sonoran Desert, controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecological balance.

As top predators in the Sonoran Desert, coyotes help regulate the populations of smaller animals, particularly rodents like mice and rats. By keeping these populations in check, coyotes prevent overgrazing of vegetation and help maintain the health of the desert ecosystem. Their hunting habits also benefit other species that rely on rodents for food. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide variety of prey, and their adaptability to desert life makes them crucial in sustaining the balance of the desert food web.