Alabama is home to a variety of wild canids, members of the Canidae family, including dogs, wolves, and foxes. The state’s canid population is often a topic of discussion among residents, particularly regarding the presence of larger predators. While the historical landscape once supported a substantial wolf population, the current environment is dominated by smaller, highly adaptable species.
The Historical Presence of the Red Wolf
The Red Wolf, Canis rufus, was once the dominant large canid across the southeastern United States, including all of Alabama. This native species is now considered extirpated, or locally extinct, from the state.
The decline of this species was primarily driven by aggressive predator-control programs and widespread habitat loss following European settlement. By the early 20th century, the population was severely diminished, with reports from 1921 indicating the species was on the verge of extinction within Alabama’s borders.
The last known stronghold for the Red Wolf was concentrated in the rough, hilly terrain stretching from Walker County northwestward into Colbert County. The species was assumed to be extinct in Alabama by the 1940s. The Red Wolf remains listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, highlighting its precarious existence in other parts of its former range.
The Established Canid: Coyotes in Alabama
The widespread expansion of the Coyote, Canis latrans, filled the void left by the extirpation of the Red Wolf. Coyotes are not native to Alabama and migrated from the western United States as wolf populations declined and habitats changed. This natural range expansion was accelerated when some coyotes were intentionally released for hunting purposes during the 1920s and 1930s.
By the 1960s and 1970s, the species was firmly established and is now found in all 67 counties. This canid is a habitat generalist, thriving in a variety of environments, from deep forests and agricultural fields to suburban neighborhoods and urban edges. Their adaptable nature and opportunistic diet have allowed them to become the most prevalent large wild canid encountered by the public.
Coyotes are notably smaller and slimmer than the historical Red Wolf. An average Alabama coyote weighs between 20 and 46 pounds, with males averaging around 33 pounds. Their physical appearance features a slender muzzle, large, erect ears, and a bushy tail that often hangs low, distinguishing them from domestic dogs.
The coat is typically a blend of tan and grayish fur, often with black-tipped guard hairs along the back and tail. Coyotes are omnivorous, consuming a highly varied diet that includes small mammals, fruits, insects, and carrion. Their success is attributed to their ability to exploit available food sources, which seasonally includes white-tailed deer fawns and various agricultural crops.
Native Foxes: Gray and Red Species
Alabama is home to two species of fox, which are significantly smaller than both wolves and coyotes. The Gray Fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, is considered the historically native species to Alabama’s landscapes. This species prefers dense cover, such as thickets, riparian areas, and swamplands.
The Gray Fox is unique among North American canids for its ability to climb trees, often using this skill to escape predators or seek den sites in hollow logs. They are found throughout the state and typically weigh between seven and thirteen pounds. They have a salt-and-pepper gray coat with rusty-yellow highlights on the neck and legs.
The Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes, is also present, concentrated primarily in the northern half of the state. This species prefers more open country, such as woodland edges interspersed with farmlands, and has proven highly adaptable to urban and suburban settings.
The Red Fox has a more dog-like appearance, featuring a thick orange-red coat, black legs, and a distinctive white tip on its bushy tail. The Gray Fox is generally more elusive, while the Red Fox is more likely to be sighted in developed areas.
State Management and Legal Status
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) manages the state’s living canids under specific regulatory frameworks. Coyotes are classified as both a game animal and a furbearer, reflecting their status as a widespread predator that can impact livestock and native wildlife.
There is a year-round, open season for hunting coyotes during daylight hours on private land, with no bag limits. For nighttime hunting, a special license is required to pursue coyotes on private or leased lands during designated seasons, typically running from February through November.
Foxes are also managed as game animals in Alabama, and hunting is allowed year-round. Trapping for both coyotes and foxes is subject to specific regulations, including required licenses and seasonal restrictions for certain areas. Although the Red Wolf is no longer present, any potential future appearance would immediately trigger protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, which supersedes state regulations.