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What Distinguishes a Coyote From a Wolf?

Coyotes and wolves are both members of the Canidae family and Canis genus, but they are different in more ways than they are similar. Coyotes have thrived and their populations have flourished, while wolves were hunted almost to extinction and are now considered an endangered or threatened species.

Size
- A gray wolf is larger than a coyote.
  
  The average coyote is 3 to 4 feet long from nose to tail. This is considerably smaller than a gray wolf, which grows to almost 6 feet in length. A coyote is also slimmer in appearance than a gray wolf.
Facial features
- The face of a coyote is more triangular in shape than that of a wolf.
  
  While a young wolf and a coyote appear very similar in size, the coyote is distinguished by its pointy snout. The snout of a wolf is more squared off at the tip. Another difference is in the ears. A coyote's ears are pointed; a wolf's ears are more rounded.
Population and Family Unit
- Wolves travel in packs.
  
  The coyote population far exceeds that of the wolf. Coyote mates generally travel in pairs, though they may occasionally form small packs. Except in Alaska and Canada, wolves are a protected species in all of North America. Wolf packs of four to seven members is the standard, usually made up of an alpha male and female, along with their offspring from several seasons. Occasionally, subordinate wolves will join the family pack. The wolf population in the United States is less than 20,000 in about a dozen states. In contrast, the number of coyotes killed legally each year in the US exceeds 400,000.
Habitat and Diet
- Coyotes are found in nearly every U.S. state.
  
  While coyotes are found in almost every state in the United States, as well as Canada, the wolves are found only in Canada and about a dozen US states. The nearly extinct red wolf is found only in North Carolina. Wolves are shy creatures that generally avoid humans, but coyotes are seen running along highways, stalking pets in backyards or wandering around golf courses. Coyotes have become omnivores -- eating game when it is available, and fruits, vegetables, garbage and carcasses when it is not. The wolf, however, is primarily a carnivore that preys on animals like deer, elk, bison and moose. When conditions are difficult, the wolf may eat smaller animals like rodents, or even the occasional berry.

Animals & Science