Coyotes, adaptable canids found across North America, shed their fur in a process called molting to survive extreme temperature changes. This seasonal replacement ensures the animal is properly insulated or cooled throughout the year. The timing and structure of the new fur maintain the coyote’s health in varied conditions.
The Seasonal Timing of Molting
Molting responds to environmental cues, primarily the changing duration of daylight (the photoperiod). Longer daylight hours in late winter and early spring trigger the shedding of the heavy winter coat. The initial, most significant period of fur loss begins in the spring, typically starting in March and continuing through June.
This heavy spring molt involves the rapid expulsion of the dense undercoat and the long outer guard hairs. The entire process takes several weeks, concluding by mid-summer when the coyote is left with its short, sparse summer coat. As the days shorten in late summer and autumn, the coyote undergoes a second, less dramatic molt. This fall molt replaces the summer coat with the new, thicker winter coat, which fully develops by late October or early November.
Functional Differences in Coyote Coats
The difference between the winter and summer coats relates to thermoregulation. The winter coat provides maximum insulation in freezing temperatures. It consists of a dense, fine undercoat that traps a layer of air close to the skin, acting as a thermal barrier.
Long, coarse guard hairs form the outer layer of the winter coat, extending up to four or five inches. These guard hairs provide water resistance and protection against snow and rain, preventing moisture from reaching the insulating undercoat. The volume of this thick fur makes a coyote look substantially larger and heavier than its underlying frame.
In contrast, the summer coat is shorter and thinner, designed to maximize heat dissipation and prevent overheating. The undercoat is shed, leaving behind only sparser guard hairs, which are also shorter and darker than the winter variety. This minimal coat allows air to circulate near the skin, facilitating evaporative cooling and enabling the coyote to remain active during warmer months.
Appearance During the Shedding Period
When a coyote is shedding, its appearance can change dramatically. The fur does not thin out evenly but often comes off in large clumps, creating a patchy and scruffy look. This intense shedding typically starts on the legs and moves upward, with the fur around the neck and shoulders often being the last to fall out.
During the peak of the spring shed, coyotes can appear disproportionately thin, with ribs and hip bones easily visible beneath the sparse remaining fur. This sickly appearance is a normal, temporary state and is frequently mistaken for signs of disease, such as mange. Coyotes often scratch, rub against objects, and chew at their fur to remove the itchy, dead hair until the process is complete.