Coyotes are highly adaptable canids found across diverse environments throughout North America. Originally inhabiting the plains and desert regions of central North America, their range has expanded dramatically since the 1700s, now encompassing most of the continent, from Panama north to Alaska. They thrive in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, mountains, and even suburban and urban areas.
Coyote Coloration
The typical coyote coat displays a range of colors, most commonly grayish-brown, tan, or yellowish-gray on their upper parts. Their fur often includes black and white hairs, providing natural camouflage. The coloration can vary seasonally, with coats appearing thicker and sometimes more reddish in winter, and thinner in summer with a mix of red and gray. Geographic location also influences coat color, with coyotes in higher elevations often exhibiting more black and gray, while desert dwellers might be more fulvous or whitish-gray.
The Presence of Red Coyotes
Coyotes can exhibit red or reddish-brown coloration in their fur. This reddish hue is often described as fulvous or cinnamon. While less common than the typical gray or tan phases, red coyotes are a recognized color variation within the species.
Factors Behind Red Pigmentation
The presence of red pigmentation in coyotes can be attributed to specific biological mechanisms. One factor is erythrism, a genetic mutation that causes an unusual reddish coloration due to an excess production of red pigments, such as pheomelanin, or a deficiency in darker pigments.
Hybridization also plays a significant role in the occurrence of red coyotes. In regions where their ranges overlap, coyotes may interbreed with red wolves (Canis rufus), which naturally exhibit reddish-brown or cinnamon fur. This genetic exchange can introduce red coat genes into the coyote population. Interbreeding with domestic dogs carrying red coat genes can also contribute to red coloration, as dogs and coyotes are capable of producing fertile offspring.
Identifying Red Coyotes
Distinguishing a red coyote from other canids with similar coloration requires attention to multiple physical characteristics beyond fur color. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are smaller than coyotes, possess a more delicate muzzle, and often have a white tip on their bushy tails, unlike the black-tipped tails common in coyotes. Red wolves, while also reddish, are generally larger and heavier than coyotes, with broader heads and shorter muzzles.
Differentiating red coyotes from domestic dogs can be more challenging due to the wide variety of dog breeds. However, coyotes tend to have a more slender build, a long, narrow snout, and erect, pointed ears. Their bushy tails are typically carried low, often dragging the ground, whereas many dog breeds carry their tails higher or wag them more frequently. Relying on a combination of size, body shape, tail carriage, and facial features provides a more accurate identification than color alone.