The coyote, Canis latrans, is a highly adaptable canid species found across North America. Adult coyotes do not typically possess blue eyes. The characteristic coloring of the iris is determined by biological factors and genetic traits common among its close relatives.
The Standard Eye Color of Adult Coyotes
The common coloration of a mature coyote’s iris falls into a spectrum of yellow, amber, and light brown shades. This light-colored eye is typical for most wild canids, including gray wolves. The specific hue is determined by the concentration of pigment, known as melanin, within the layers of the iris. In adult coyotes, the amount of melanin is sufficient to produce the characteristic golden appearance.
The amber or yellow iris provides a consistent look across the species. This eye color is not tied to their nocturnal vision, which is instead attributed to the tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer behind the retina. Any deviation from this standard coloration in a mature wild coyote is extremely unusual.
Why Coyote Pups May Appear Blue-Eyed
The only circumstance where a coyote’s eyes may appear blue is during the first few weeks of life. Like many other placental mammals, coyote pups are born with irises that lack developed melanin pigment. This absence of color causes light to scatter off the unpigmented tissue, which the human eye perceives as a blue or grayish tint. This is a temporary optical effect, not a true blue pigment.
Coyote pups open their eyes around 10 to 14 days after birth, revealing this initial blue shade. Melanin production in the iris begins to ramp up around three to four weeks of age. The eyes gradually transition as the permanent pigment is deposited, a process that can take several weeks. The adult eye color, usually amber or yellow, is established between nine and sixteen weeks old.
Genetic Factors Influencing Coyote Eye Pigmentation
The color of a coyote’s eyes is governed by genes that regulate the amount and location of melanin deposited in the iris stroma. Standard wild canid genetics favor the production of yellow or amber eyes, which is the dominant, natural phenotype for Canis latrans. This genetic uniformity helps maintain the species’ characteristic appearance across its wide geographical range.
Permanent blue eyes in an adult coyote are an anomaly, resulting from a genetic mutation that disrupts the normal melanin pathway. This occurrence is exceptionally rare in the wild population. In domestic dogs, specific gene mutations (such as those found in the Siberian Husky) cause reduced melanin production, leading to persistent blue eyes or heterochromia. Documented blue-eyed adult coyotes are often theorized to be the result of a spontaneous, isolated mutation or past hybridization with domestic dogs carrying these specific blue-eye alleles.