Coyotes are adaptable canids found across diverse North American landscapes, from rural areas to urban environments. Recognizing young coyotes, known as pups, is important for wildlife observation and coexistence.
Identifying Features of Coyote Pups
At birth, coyote pups are quite small, typically weighing between 0.44 and 1.10 pounds (0.2 to 0.5 kg). Their fur is initially fine, dense, and woolly, often appearing darker, grayer, or more muted than adult coyote coats. The tail of a coyote pup is generally shorter and thicker than that of an adult.
Pups have larger heads and paws relative to their overall body size, along with shorter muzzles and a stockier build. Their ears are floppy at birth, gradually becoming erect and pointed around three weeks of age. Coyote pups are born blind, with their eyes typically opening around 10 to 12 days after birth. Initially, their eyes are bluish, transitioning to amber or brown as they mature, a change that usually occurs around six weeks of age.
Distinguishing Young Coyotes from Other Canids
Coyote pups are typically larger than fox kits, which tend to be smaller with more pointed snouts and ears. Red fox kits, for example, are often identifiable by a white-tipped tail, a characteristic generally absent in coyote pups.
Coyote pups also share some resemblance with domestic dog puppies, particularly in their small size, short muzzles, and dainty feet. However, coyote pups usually present a wilder overall appearance, with less variation in fur color and pattern compared to the diverse coats of domestic breeds. Coyote pups also have proportionally larger feet and thicker claws than many domestic dog puppies. Unlike most domestic dogs, coyotes, including pups, typically carry their tails low, often with a black tip that does not curl or wag high.
Compared to adult coyotes, pups are considerably smaller, though a four-month-old pup can sometimes be mistaken for an adult from a distance due to its developing coat and bushy tail. Adult coyotes generally possess a more slender build, longer muzzles, and fully erect, prominent ears. While pups begin with darker, woolly fur, adult coats vary regionally, often displaying shades of gray, brown, or reddish tones.
How Young Coyotes Change as They Grow
Coyote pups undergo significant developmental changes in their appearance as they mature. At birth, they are entirely dependent on their mother, being both blind and deaf with floppy ears. Their eyes begin to open around 10 to 12 days of age, and their ears start to stand upright by about three weeks. During these early weeks, their fine, dark fur gradually becomes fuzzier and coarser.
Rapid growth marks the initial phase of a pup’s life; they can double their birth weight within 8 to 12 days. Around six weeks, their bluish eye color typically shifts to amber or brown, aligning with the adult eye coloration. As they progress from pup to juvenile, their body proportions begin to normalize, with legs lengthening and muzzles elongating.
By nine months of age, young coyotes can weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, approaching the adult weight range, and typically reach their full size by 12 months. Their fur also transitions to resemble the color and texture of adult coats. Young coyotes start to venture from the den around six weeks of age, gradually learning essential survival and hunting skills from their parents.