![]() ![]() For more visual comparisons, visit: Wolf Identification: Physical Appearance of Wolves. Fur coloration can be quite similar between wolves and coyotes and therefore is not a good characteristic for separating the two species. A wolf’s howl is long and drawn out, while a coyote produces a shorter, yapping sound. Wolves have a broader, shorter snout, while coyotes have a narrow more pointed nose. Track size measures about four by five inches for wolves, compared to two by two and a half inches for coyotes.Įar shape is also much different wolves have somewhat rounded ears while coyotes have taller, pointed ears. ![]() Wolves weigh 80 to 120 pounds, while coyotes weigh 20 to 50 pounds. A gray wolf is much larger than a coyote. One of the greatest differences between the two species is size, which can be difficult to estimate determine at a distance. Here's some elaboration from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists: The chart above gives some distinguishing features to note when you see canines in the field. He didn't have a photo to help with the identification and he didn't measure tracks, so there's no way to tell for sure. WILDLIFE WATCHING - A reader called today wondering if the animals he saw west of Spokane recently were wolves or coyotes. The typical coyote stands around 2-feet-tall, and their coats also vary in thickness and length as the weather changes, same as wolves.Chart shows field-identifying physical differences to help a viewer distinguish a coyote from a wolf. It’s any easy mistake to make, too, considering these two are rarely spotted in a convenient side-by-side scenario that suits comparison. They vary greatly in size, and it’s the larger members of the species we often mistake for wolves. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Ĭoyotes, on average, will weigh anywhere from a mere 14 pounds all the way up to 50 pounds. PEBBLE BEACH, CA – FEBRUARY 11: A coyote walks through the sand dunes during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at at the Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Februin Pebble Beach, California. ![]() And as stated, the biggest difference between the two species is always going to be size, as everything else about them is so similar (both physiologically and genetically) that they can produce viable offspring. These two canines are still widespread enough – unlike what remains of the red wolf ( Canis rufus) species – for it to be a common question. How to Tell the Difference Between a Wolf and Coyoteįor Americans, the two species typically being compared are the gray wolf ( Canis lupus) and the coyote ( Canis latrans). The video above is one we made a few years back to illustrate the difference! An oldie but a goodie,” they continue. “Nonetheless, wolves in our area are still much larger than coyotes. Yellowstone) and many of our photos/videos are from summer when wolves don’t have their winter coats and look especially small,” Voyageurs posts to their official Twitter account Wednesday. The confusion is likely b/c wolves in our area are smaller than wolves in other places (e.g. “Lots of people tell us we are studying coyotes not wolves. NXv83qXj8I- Voyageurs Wolf Project January 11, 2023 Yellowstone) and many of our photos/videos are from summer when wolves don't have their winter coats and look especially small. Lots of people tell us we are studying coyotes not wolves. ![]()
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