While Massachusetts was once home to wolves, there are no established wild wolf populations in the state today. Any reports of wolves are typically cases of mistaken identity, often referring to coyotes.
A Look Back: Wolves in Massachusetts History
Gray wolves (Canis lupus) and Eastern wolves (Canis lycaon) once roamed Massachusetts. These apex predators played an important role in the ecosystem, helping maintain the health of prey populations like deer and moose.
The extirpation of wolves from Massachusetts was a gradual process driven by human expansion and conflict. European settlers began systematic eradication efforts, with bounties approved by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. Hunting, trapping, poisoning, and widespread habitat loss due to forest clearing for agriculture led to their decline. By around 1840, wolves were no longer present in Massachusetts, and by 1900, they were gone from most of New England.
The Canids of Today: Coyotes and Coywolves
The large canids currently inhabiting Massachusetts are Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans), often called “coywolves.” These animals are well-established throughout the state, except for Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Their presence results from a rapid eastward range expansion by coyotes from the western and midwestern United States over the last century.
Eastern coyotes are larger than their western counterparts, attributed to interbreeding with wolves and domestic dogs during their range expansion. Genetic studies show Eastern coyotes typically have a mixed background: 60-65% coyote, 20-30% wolf (Eastern and Gray), and 10-15% domestic dog DNA. This hybridization has created an adaptable animal that filled the ecological niche once occupied by wolves.
These canids are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a diverse diet including small mammals, rodents, deer, birds, insects, and fruits. They are highly adaptable, thriving in various habitats like forests, fields, farmlands, and even suburban and urban areas. Eastern coyotes are elusive but can be seen individually, in pairs, or in small family groups, typically consisting of the breeding pair and their pups.
Spotting the Difference: Identifying Massachusetts Canids
Distinguishing between a true wolf and the Eastern coyotes in Massachusetts requires attention to physical and behavioral cues. Gray wolves are significantly larger, with males typically weighing 65-175 pounds and measuring 4-6.5 feet long, including the tail. They stand 26-33 inches tall at the shoulder. In contrast, Eastern coyotes weigh 30-60 pounds (males 34-47 pounds) and are 4-5 feet long. Their shoulder height is 22-25 inches.
Wolves generally have a broader skull, a more robust build, and a wider chest, while coyotes are more slender with a pointed snout. Eastern coyote fur is usually grizzled gray but can vary from creamy blonde to reddish or nearly black, often with a black-tipped tail. When running, coyotes typically carry their bushy tails low to the ground.
Vocalizations also help differentiate them; both howl, but a family of coyotes howling can sound like many more animals than are actually present. Coyote tracks are generally smaller than wolf tracks, with wolf paw prints averaging 4 inches wide by 5 inches long.