What is the Difference Between Wolf and Coyote?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Wolves and coyotes are both members of the dog family, but they exhibit several key differences in size, appearance, and behavior. Here are the main differences between wolves and coyotes:
- Size: Wolves are generally larger and heavier than coyotes. Gray wolves can weigh from 70-150 pounds and have a length of 4.5 to 6.5 feet, while coyotes typically weigh between 15-45 pounds and measure up to 4 feet in length.
- Appearance: Wolves have blockier heads, smaller ears, longer legs, and bigger paws compared to coyotes. Coyotes have pointer faces, bigger ears, and look longer from nose to tail with shorter legs. They are also more fox-like in their build.
- Coat Colors: Wolves can have white, black, buff, or reddish coats, while coyotes are mostly buff-tan but can also be black.
- Facial Features: Wolves have broader faces, larger dark nose pads, and shorter, more rounded ears than coyotes, which have slender faces, longer and pointy ears.
- Tail: Wolves have distinctively bushier and shorter tails compared to coyotes.
- Tracks: Wolf tracks are about 5 inches long by 4 inches wide, while coyote tracks are similar but only about half that size.
- Howl: Wolves and coyotes have different pitches and patterns in their howls.
- Behavior: Wolves are more likely to travel in packs, while coyotes are often seen individually or in smaller groups.
Comparative Table: Wolf vs Coyote
Here is a table comparing the differences between wolves and coyotes:
| Feature | Wolf | Coyote |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Larger, up to 6 feet long and 30 inches tall | Smaller, up to 4 feet long and 18 inches tall |
| Weight | 70 to 110 pounds for males | 20 to 50 pounds |
| Fur Color | Light gray or blackish | More grayish-brown |
| Face | Broader face with shorter, rounded ears | Slimmer face with taller, pointy ears |
| Migration | Occurs in packs | Solitary or in small groups |
| Howl | Different, more complex vocalizations | Much like a wolf, but distinct |
| Diet | Larger prey like deer, elk, and moose | More diverse diet, including rodents |
| Pack Behavior | Hunts and lives in packs | More solitary, but sometimes forms small groups |
| Social Behavior | Complex social hierarchies | Likes solitude |
| Habitat | North America, Asia, and Europe | North America |
Wolves are generally larger and have a more social behavior, while coyotes are smaller and more solitary. They also differ in fur color, face shape, and hunting habits.
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