San Diego County has no established wild wolf populations. While gray wolves are recolonizing parts of Northern California, San Diego is not within their current range. The county is home to other wild canids, primarily coyotes, which are sometimes mistaken for wolves.
California’s Wolf Presence
Gray wolves (Canis lupus) were historically present across much of California but were extirpated from the state by the 1920s. After nearly a century of absence, gray wolves returned to California in 2011, dispersing from populations in Oregon.
Currently, established wild wolf packs are found predominantly in Northern California, in counties such as Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama. There are at least ten confirmed wolf packs across the state, with an estimated 70 wolves. These areas are geographically distant from San Diego County. While the California Wolf Center in Julian, San Diego County, houses wolves for conservation and educational purposes, these are not wild, free-roaming populations.
San Diego’s Wild Canids
San Diego County is home to wild canids, primarily coyotes (Canis latrans), which are the most common. Coyotes are highly adaptable animals found in diverse habitats, including urban, suburban, and wild areas. They typically weigh around 20 to 50 pounds, stand about 1.5 to 2 feet tall at the shoulder, and measure 3.3 to 4.3 feet long.
Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on small mammals, fruits, vegetables, and carrion. They are more active during dawn and dusk, often spotted trotting through parks, canyons, and neighborhood streets. Coyotes are the most frequently encountered wild canid in San Diego. Other native canids like foxes also inhabit the region, though they are less commonly seen in urban settings.
Distinguishing Local Wildlife
Telling the difference between coyotes and wolves relies on several distinguishing features. Wolves are larger than coyotes, typically weighing 70 to 150 pounds compared to a coyote’s 20 to 50 pounds. Wolves also have a stockier build, broader chests, and larger, blockier heads with shorter, more rounded ears. In contrast, coyotes appear leaner, with narrower snouts and proportionally larger, more pointed ears.
Another key difference is tail carriage: coyotes typically hold their tails low, pointed downwards, while wolves tend to carry their tails higher, in line with their backs. Coyote fur is usually a mix of grays, browns, and tans, with a bushy tail tipped in black. Wolf coats can vary, including shades of gray, black, and white. Their vocalizations also differ, with coyotes producing higher-pitched yips and barks, while wolves are known for deeper, more resonant howls.
Coexisting with Urban Wildlife
Living alongside San Diego’s wildlife, particularly coyotes, requires minimizing human-animal conflicts. Securing trash in containers with tight-fitting lids can prevent coyotes from accessing an easy food source. Never intentionally feed wild animals, as this can make them comfortable approaching humans, which poses risks to both animals and people.
Supervising pets, especially smaller ones, and bringing them indoors at night can help protect them from encounters with coyotes. If a coyote is encountered at close range and does not retreat, hazing techniques can be employed. This involves:
- Making yourself appear large
- Yelling
- Waving your arms
- Using noisemakers to scare the animal away
Never run from a coyote. If a wild animal appears sick, injured, or exhibits aggressive behavior, contacting local animal control or wildlife services, such as the San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife, is recommended.