The coyote, Canis latrans, is a highly adaptable canine species native to North America, successfully inhabiting diverse environments from deserts to urban centers. This widespread distribution and behavioral flexibility mean the animal displays significant variation in its physical characteristics. The weight of an adult coyote is far from uniform, being greatly influenced by genetics, geography, and seasonal changes. Understanding these variables provides a complete picture of this resilient predator.
The Average Coyote Weight Range
The typical body mass for an adult coyote falls into a broad range, reflecting the species’ ability to thrive across a massive continental range. Most mature individuals weigh between 15 to 44 pounds (7 to 20 kilograms). Within this standard range, males are consistently larger, averaging 18 to 44 pounds (8 to 20 kg), while females usually weigh 15 to 40 pounds (7 to 18 kg).
The overall average weight often obscures the potential for larger animals, particularly in certain regions. The largest documented coyote was a male taken in Wyoming, which weighed 75 pounds (34 kg). The vast majority of coyotes encountered will fall well within the established lower-to-mid range of 20 to 35 pounds.
Geographic and Subspecies Variation
A coyote’s geographic location is one of the most powerful determinants of its size, a phenomenon often described as clinal variation. Subspecies living in the arid southwestern United States and Mexico tend to be the smallest, with an average weight around 25 pounds (11.5 kg). These desert-dwelling populations have evolved to be smaller and leaner, likely an adaptation to sparser resources and warmer climates.
In contrast, coyotes inhabiting the northeastern and eastern parts of the continent are notably larger, often averaging 35 to 55 pounds. This significant size difference is attributed to genetic mixing with local wolf populations during their eastward expansion. For example, a male coyote in the Northeast can average 16.4 kg, while its western counterpart might average only 12.7 kg. This larger form, sometimes colloquially called the “coywolf,” is an example of how hybridization has permitted the species to occupy a new, larger-prey niche.
Factors Influencing Individual Weight
Beyond geography, two primary factors cause weight fluctuation within any localized coyote population: sexual dimorphism and seasonal cycling. Adult male coyotes are consistently larger than females, a trait known as sexual dimorphism. Males are generally heavier across all size metrics, with a difference that averages around 4 to 6 percent.
The second factor is the annual cycle of weight gain and loss tied to the seasons and food availability. Coyotes typically gain significant body mass in the late fall and early winter to build up fat reserves for survival. This strategic weight gain helps them endure the lean months of mid-to-late winter when prey is harder to catch. As the breeding season begins and winter progresses, these fat reserves are depleted, meaning the same individual animal can weigh substantially less in the spring than it did just a few months prior.