Coyotes are adaptable canids found throughout North and Central America, thriving in diverse environments from dense forests to urban areas. People often wonder about the specific physical traits of these widespread animals, including the appearance and function of their eyes.
The Typical Eye Color
Coyote eyes typically display shades of golden-brown or yellow, often described as amber. This coloration can range from a pale yellow to a deeper earthen brown, a consistent characteristic across most adult coyotes. Coyote pups initially have bluish eyes, which transition to the characteristic yellow or amber hue by approximately six weeks of age. While rare, instances of blue-eyed coyotes have been documented, attributed to genetic mutations.
How Coyote Eyes Function
Coyotes possess excellent night vision, an adaptation for their twilight and nocturnal activities. Their retinas contain a high concentration of rod cells, sensitive to low light conditions, enabling them to see in shades of black and white. A reflective layer behind the retina, known as the tapetum lucidum, enhances their night vision. This layer acts like a natural mirror, reflecting light back through the retina for photoreceptor cells to absorb it. This results in the characteristic “eyeshine” seen when light hits a coyote’s eyes in the dark, appearing as a fiery white or yellowish-white glow.
Coyotes have round pupils, similar to domestic dogs. While their visual acuity is near-sighted compared to humans (about 20/75 vision), they compensate with a broader field of view, spanning between 220 and 260 degrees. Their vision is adept at detecting movement, beneficial for hunting prey. For color perception, coyotes primarily see in the blue and yellow spectrum, with colors like red and orange appearing as shades of gray or a dull yellow.
Distinguishing Coyote Eyes from Similar Animals
Coyotes are identified by their consistent golden-brown or yellow eye coloration. This distinguishes them from other canids like wolves, which have yellow, amber, or green eyes, but rarely blue or brown. Domestic dogs, due to selective breeding, exhibit a wider range of eye colors, including various shades of brown, blue, and hazel. Eyeshine at night also offers clues; coyotes display a fiery white or yellowish-white glow, while some other animals like bears might show a fiery orange.
Other physical characteristics also help differentiate coyotes. Coyotes are smaller than wolves, with a sleeker build, a narrower snout, and more pointed ears. Wolves are larger, with broader, boxier muzzles and shorter, more rounded ears. Adult eye color is a more reliable distinguishing feature, as coyote pups are born with blue eyes that change as they mature.