Coyotes are common inhabitants of diverse landscapes, from wildlands to urban areas. Observing them clearly in low-light conditions can be challenging. Understanding their appearance in darkness requires knowledge of their physical attributes and how light interacts with their adaptations.
Silhouettes and General Appearance
Coyotes are medium-sized canids, typically weighing between 18 to 44 pounds and standing 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. They possess a slender, lean build with relatively long legs, which contributes to their agile appearance. At night, their fur often appears indistinct or simply as a dark mass.
A coyote’s bushy tail is carried low and frequently tipped with black fur. Their ears are pointed and upright, appearing proportionally large on their head, while their muzzle is narrow and pointed. Their gait is usually a loping trot, moving with a characteristic bouncing motion.
The Distinctive Eye Shine
A primary visual cue when encountering a coyote at night is its eye shine. Coyotes, like many nocturnal animals, possess a specialized reflective layer behind their retina called the tapetum lucidum. This biological mirror amplifies available light by reflecting it back through the retina, significantly enhancing their vision in dim conditions.
The eye shine does not originate from the coyote’s eyes glowing independently but from the reflection of an external light source, such as a flashlight or vehicle headlights. The typical color of a coyote’s eye shine is yellow, amber, yellowish-green, or gold. Depending on the angle and environmental conditions, this reflection can also appear orange or red. The intensity and spacing of these glowing eyes can indicate their presence.
Distinguishing Coyotes from Other Nocturnal Animals
When compared to domestic dogs, coyotes have a more slender body, a narrower, pointed snout, and upright, pointed ears. A coyote’s bushy tail is held low, often with a black tip, and unlike many domestic dogs, it will not be carried high or wagged.
Foxes, particularly red foxes, are noticeably smaller than coyotes, typically weighing between 8 to 15 pounds compared to a coyote’s 20 to 50 pounds. Foxes have a daintier, more compact build with a smaller, more pointed snout. Their tails are much bushier, often nearly as long as their body, and frequently carried horizontally or upwards. Red foxes are identified by a prominent white tip on their tail, and their eye shine can sometimes appear red or orange, distinct from a coyote’s typical yellowish-green.
Wolves are significantly larger and more robust than coyotes, often weighing 60 to 120 pounds or more, with a blockier build. Their snouts are broader and less pointed, and their ears are shorter and more rounded compared to a coyote’s taller, more pointed ears. While both canids carry their tails low, a wolf’s tail tends to be bushy but appears shorter in proportion to its larger body.