New Jersey does not currently have wild wolf populations. These large canids have been absent from the state’s natural ecosystems for over a century. Their presence is now a historical fact.
Historical Presence and Disappearance
Historically, New Jersey was home to the Eastern wolf, scientifically classified as Canis lycaon or Canis lupus lycaon, a subspecies of the gray wolf. These animals once inhabited the state’s vast forests and coastal plains, serving a role in regulating populations of deer and other prey.
The disappearance of wolves from New Jersey was a gradual process. Early wildlife regulations, such as a 15-shilling bounty on wolves dating back to 1675, encouraged their removal.
As European settlements expanded, extensive deforestation for agriculture and urban development led to considerable habitat loss. This habitat destruction, combined with unregulated hunting and trapping, contributed to their extirpation. The last wild Eastern wolves were seen in New Jersey around the 1850s.
Understanding New Jersey’s Wild Canids
With wild wolves no longer present, the canids commonly encountered in New Jersey are Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans var.). These adaptable animals have successfully spread throughout the state. The first documented coyote sighting in New Jersey occurred in 1939, and their population has steadily increased since the 1980s.
Eastern coyotes are distinct from their western counterparts due to their larger size, a result of historical interbreeding. Genetic research shows they possess a mix of DNA from western coyotes, gray wolves, eastern wolves, and domestic dogs. Adult Eastern coyotes weigh between 30 to 45 pounds and measure 3 to 4.5 feet in length, with a standing shoulder height of 20 to 24 inches, comparable to a medium-sized dog.
Their appearance varies, with coats ranging from grayish-brown to red, blonde, or even black, often with lighter fur on their legs, throat, and underbelly. They possess bright yellow eyes, a black nose, and large, pointed ears. A distinguishing feature is their bushy tail with a black tip, which is usually carried in a drooping position, unlike a wolf’s typically straight tail. Unlike wolves, which form large packs, coyotes primarily exist as mated pairs, sometimes including their young-of-the-year. While coyotes and wolves share some physical characteristics, these differences in size, ear shape, snout, and tail carriage help differentiate them.