The gray wolf (\(Canis\) \(lupus\)) and the coyote (\(Canis\) \(latrans\)) are two of North America’s most recognizable wild canids, often confused due to their similar appearance and overlapping territories. Differentiating between them requires observing physical characteristics, the evidence they leave behind, and the context of their presence. A comprehensive identification relies on comparing their size, tracks, droppings, social habits, and the types of environments they inhabit.
Physical Comparison
The most significant difference between the two species is size and overall build. An adult gray wolf is a robust animal, typically weighing between 80 and 120 pounds and standing 26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder. The coyote is a much lighter, more slender canid, generally weighing only 20 to 50 pounds and reaching about 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder. This disparity gives the wolf a bulkier, more powerful silhouette.
Differences are also visible in their facial structure. Wolves possess broad, blockier heads and wider muzzles, making their face appear more substantial. Coyotes have a more delicate, fox-like build, characterized by a narrower, pointed snout. The ears of a wolf are relatively shorter and more rounded, while the coyote’s ears are proportionately larger, taller, and more acutely pointed.
Their tails offer a reliable means of visual differentiation. The wolf’s tail is typically thick, relatively short, and carried straight down or slightly elevated. The coyote has a thinner, bushier tail that is typically carried low, sometimes tucked between its hind legs. Additionally, a wolf’s coat is generally shaggier and more uniform, while a coyote’s coat is often a sleeker mixture of grayish-brown.
Identifying Tracks and Scat
When a visual sighting is not possible, tracks and scat provide measurable evidence of the animal’s identity. Wolf tracks are substantially larger than coyote tracks, often measuring between 4 and 5 inches in length and 3.5 to 5 inches in width. Coyote tracks are considerably smaller, typically ranging from 2 to 3 inches in length and about 2 to 2.5 inches in width.
The shape and arrangement of the print also differ. Wolf tracks are often more elongated and symmetrical, with the toes held tightly together. The negative space between the four toes and the heel pad often forms a distinct “X” or “H” pattern. Coyote tracks tend to be more oval and less compact, sometimes appearing more splayed. Wolves travel in an efficient, straight line, while coyotes may leave a more meandering trail.
Scat, or droppings, can also be a distinguishing feature, primarily through measurement and content. Wolf scat is notably larger, usually exceeding one inch in diameter, and often contains hair and large bone fragments of larger prey, such as deer and elk. Coyote scat is generally smaller, less than one inch in diameter, and frequently contains the remains of smaller prey, like rodents, rabbits, or insects. Both species use scat to mark territory, but the diameter and the size of the bone fragments offer practical differentiation.
Behavioral Clues and Habitat
Observing social habits and listening to vocalizations offer strong contextual clues. Wolves are highly social animals that live in organized packs, often numbering between 5 and 10 individuals, including a breeding pair and their offspring. Coyotes are more solitary or travel in smaller family units, such as a pair or a small group. Seeing a large group of canids traveling together suggests wolves rather than coyotes.
The sounds they make are fundamentally different. Wolf howls are deep, resonant, and sustained, serving as a long-distance communication tool to keep the pack together or warn off rivals. Coyote vocalizations are higher-pitched, characterized by a frantic chorus of barks, yips, and yodels. A single coyote yipping can create an auditory illusion, making it sound like many animals are present.
Habitat preference is another differentiator, reflecting the coyote’s superior adaptability. Wolves prefer large, remote wilderness areas, such as forests and mountains, and are wary of human development. Coyotes are exceptionally adaptable and have successfully colonized a wide range of environments, including agricultural lands, suburban neighborhoods, and urban parks. Consequently, a wild canid observed within a city limit is far more likely to be a coyote than a wolf.