The coyote and the wolf are the two most recognized wild canids in North America, both occupying top predator roles. The public often wonders which of these animals poses a greater threat to humans and property. While both species are effective hunters, the nature and likelihood of the danger they present differ significantly based on their biology and behavior. This comparison examines the risks posed by the coyote and the wolf.
Physical Size and Social Behavior
The most immediate difference between the two species is physical size. The gray wolf is substantially larger, typically standing around 30 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 80 and 120 pounds, though some can exceed 145 pounds. A coyote is much smaller, standing about 24 inches at the shoulder and generally weighing 20 to 50 pounds. This size disparity means a wolf’s powerful jaw is capable of dispatching much larger prey than the coyote’s more narrow, fox-like muzzle.
Wolf social structure centers on highly coordinated family packs, typically consisting of 5 to 12 individuals. This collective power allows them to hunt large ungulates like elk, moose, or bison. Coyotes are more flexible in their social organization, often hunting alone or in mated pairs and small family units. Their reliance on smaller prey like rodents and hares does not require the same level of pack cooperation as wolves.
Geographical Presence and Habitat Range
The habitat distribution of these two canids is the primary factor determining the likelihood of an encounter. Gray wolves, due to historical eradication efforts, are generally restricted to remote wilderness areas, national parks, and specific rural regions, such as the northern Rockies and the upper Midwest. Their populations in the Lower 48 states are significantly smaller and geographically concentrated.
Coyotes are the continent’s most widespread and adaptable wild canid, found across nearly all of North America. Their ability to thrive in modified landscapes means they are common in deserts, forests, prairies, and increasingly in suburban and urban environments. The ubiquity of the coyote means the chance of seeing one is far greater for the average person than the chance of seeing a wolf, which is limited to specific, remote geographic zones.
Predation Risk to Domestic Animals
Both predators pose a threat to domestic animals, but their targets differ based on size and hunting style. Coyotes are the leading cause of predation loss for smaller livestock and pets, accounting for a high volume of incidents due to their immense distribution. Their primary victims include poultry, sheep, goats, and small domestic pets. Coyotes may kill pets while defending a den or seeing them as competitors, or they have been known to lure dogs away from homes.
Wolves, with their pack strength and larger size, are capable of preying on larger, valuable livestock. They pose a significant threat to cattle, horses, and large working dogs when they occupy the same grazing areas. Studies suggest that an individual wolf is statistically more likely to prey on livestock than an individual coyote. However, the total number of livestock deaths caused by coyotes is generally higher because of their greater population size and broader geographic range.
Documented Human Encounters and Danger Level
Direct, unprovoked attacks on humans by both species are exceedingly rare. The danger level of wolves to humans is historically very low. Most documented aggressive encounters involve animals that were either rabid or had become habituated to people through feeding. Since 1900, only a handful of fatal attacks by wild wolves have been confirmed in North America, making the risk hypothetical for the majority of the population.
The risk posed by coyotes is small but measurable, primarily due to their close proximity to human residences. A study of coyote attacks between 1960 and 2006 documented 142 incidents, with most classified as either predatory or investigative. These attacks are often linked to coyotes losing their natural fear of humans, usually when people provide food sources. While the wolf is the more formidable predator, the coyote’s presence in populated areas means it poses a higher risk of encounter and minor conflict.