Is this a coyote or a wolf? Beginner-friendly resource to make the distinction easy to understand and spot
Introduction
Yes, they’re frequently confused with wolves, and this confusion is far more common than anybody thinks. A Snappish Lanky Beast. One evening, as I was driving home from work, I caught a glimpse at dusk of a long-legged, doglike beast scurry across the road. A chilling uroboros blow at the void of the nights.
A photo taken from a distance with the caption: “A wolf near the city!”
Most of the time, that animal is not a wolf; it’s a coyote.
This is the definitive answer to your questions. Written for a general audience, this guide results from inquiries from the public and explains why these two species are frequently confused, their differences, and how you can differentiate between them – even if you're not a wildlife expert.
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Why Coyotes and Wolves Are so Easily Confused
The mix of looks, behavior, myths, and hoaxes leads to confusion.
The Top Causes of Confusion
• Both belong to the canine family
• Both howl
• Both have gray-brown fur
• Poor lighting or long viewing distance
• Exaggeration on social media
Coyotes have also extended their range into former wolf territory, further contributing to confusion in identification.
What Is a Coyote?
The coyote (Canis latrans) is a wild member of the dog family that is native to North America.
Salient Features of Coyotes
• Medium-sized
• Slim body
• Long legs
• Narrow muzzle
• Highly intelligent
• Thrives in cities, towns, and rural areas
Coyotes are survivors. As wolf numbers dropped in so much of the range, these adaptable predators moved in—and thrived.
External Reference:
National Park Service – Coyotes in North America
What Is a Wolf?
The largest
living species of canid is the gray wolf (Canis lupus).
Key Characteristics of Wolves
- Large, muscular body
- Broad chest
- Wide head and muzzle
- Thick fur
- Highly social pack animals
- Prefer remote wilderness
Wolves are
top predators and essential for ecosystem stability.
External Reference:
World Wildlife Fund – Gray WolfCoyotes vs Wolves - Physical Traits
So when you see a coyote and a wolf next to each other for comparison, the differences are startling.
General Appearance
Coyotes are thin and light-boned, while wolves are solid and formidable.
Consider a marathon runner versus a professional linebacker.
Comparing Size and Weight
It’s
the simplest way to distinguish them.
Coyote Size
• Height
at shoulder: 20–24 inches
•
Weight: 20–50 pounds
Wolf Size
• Height
at shoulder: 26–32 inches
•
Weight: 70–120+ pounds
Let’s be clear on one thing - if it looks roughly dog-sized, it is almost always a coyote.
Face, Ears, and Tail Differences
Coyote Features
- Narrow, pointed muzzle
- Large, upright ears
- Thin, bushy tail usually held
low
Wolf Features
- Broad, blocky muzzle
- Smaller ears relative to head
size
- The thick tail is typically held
straight
Coyotes look alert and quick. Wolves look calm and commanding.
Color of the coat and Type of the Fur
Both
species can look gray, tan, or brown—texture is key.
Coyotes
- Coarse fur
- Thinner coat
- Less insulation
Wolves
- Dense, thick fur
- Built for cold climates
- More uniform coloration
Behavioral Differences
Behavior
often reveals more than appearance.
Coyotes
- Curious
- Opportunistic
- Comfortable near humans
- Usually seen alone or in pairs
Wolves
- Cautious
- Avoid humans
- Travel in packs
- Rarely seen near cities
They can be
separated from dogs in the wild by their behavior. If you see an animal walking
confidently in a neighborhood, it’s a coyote.
Hunting and Diet
Coyotes are opportunistic predators. Wolves
are specialists.
Coyote Diet
- Rodents
- Rabbits
- Fruit
- Garbage
- Small pets (rare but possible)
Wolf Diet
- Deer
- Elk
- Moose
- Large hoofed animals
Wolves hunt
to live. Coyotes hunt to survive.
Social Structure: Packs vs. Pairs
Another
major difference.
Coyotes
- Usually solitary or in pairs
- Temporary family groups
Wolves
- Strong pack hierarchy
- Cooperative hunting
- Long-term family bonds
This influences their movement and behavior.
Environment and Distribution
Coyotes are now found virtually everywhere.
Coyotes
- Cities
- Suburbs
- Farms
- Deserts
- Forests
Wolves
- Remote wilderness
- National parks
- Large forests
- Mountain regions
Coyotes
moved in where wolves were extirpated.
Coyotes vs. Urban Wolves
Urban
sightings are the cause of most confusion.
Coyotes have learned:
- Traffic patterns
- Human schedules
- Garbage availability
Wolves have
not adapted this way.
Vocalizations: Howls, Barks, and Calls
This is a
major reason for confusion.
Coyote Sounds
- High-pitched yipping
- Rapid group calls
- Chaotic chorus
Wolf Sounds
- Deep, long howls
- Slow and steady
- Fewer vocalizations
Many “wolf
howls” online are actually coyotes.
Is it safe to be around coyotes?
Generally no.
Coyote attacks on humans are
uncommon and are usually associated with:
- Feeding by humans
- Habituation
- Attraction to pets
Education
greatly reduces risk.
External Reference:
Centers for Disease Control – Coyotes and SafetyCan humans be harmed by wolves?
Even less
so.
Fit wild
wolves steer clear of people, and even then, attacks are dog attacks, wolf attacks in numbers.
Media, Movies, Myth-Culture Mixing and Confusion
Hollywood
hasn’t helped.
Films exaggerate:
- Wolf size
- Aggression
- Danger levels
Coyotes are
often called wolves for dramatic effect.
Mistakes People
Make Too Often
- Estimating size without
reference
- Trusting social media captions
- Misinterpreting sound
recordings
- Assuming rarity means “wolf.”
Coywolves: The Hybrid That Adds Confusion
Yes,
coywolves exist.
They are hybrids of:
- Coyotes
- Wolves
- Domestic dogs (in some areas)
Coy wolves,
the size of which is bigger than coyotes and smaller than wolves, create more
confusion.
External Reference:
Smithsonian Magazine – Coy wolves ExplainedWhy Correct Identification Matters
Accurate
identification affects:
- Wildlife management
- Conservation laws
- Public safety
- Media accuracy
Calling
coyotes “wolves” is fear-mongering and misinformation.
How to Tell Them Apart in Their Habitat
Short Checklist
Bigger than a German Shepherd? → Wolf
Seen in a city? → Coyote
High-pitched group howling? → Coyote
Single deep howl in the wilderness? → Wolf
Conclusion
Are coyotes being mistaken for wolves? Yes-often.
The confusion arises due to appearance, sound, distance, myths, and
exaggerations on social media. But after you learn what to look for in terms of
size, behavior, habitat, and vocalizations, the differences are obvious.
Coyotes thrive as predators in close quarters with humans. Wolves are
strong, elusive hunters that have close ties to wild land ecosystems.
Understanding that you have the right to own both is where respecting them both
begins.
Identifying animals correctly protects wildlife, allays fears, and promotes conservation — and everyone wins with that knowledge.
FAQs:
1. Is there a lot of confusion between coyotes and wolves?
Yes. Most of the so-called wolf reports in the vicinity of towns and cities turn out to be coyotes.
2. Are coyotes ever as large as wolves?
The answer is no. Even the most enormous coyotes are nowhere near the size of wolves.
3. Do coyotes hunt in packs like wolves?
Coyotes tend to be mostly solitary, although some travel in pairs. Large packs are the exception, and not the rule.
4. Are coywolves actual wolves?
No. Coywolves are not pure wolves; they are hybrids–the Okaak version of a werewolf.
5. Unsafe to Humans?
They are extremely shy animals, and you are not likely to be attacked by a wild wolf if you see one in the wild.
6. Why do they howl so much - the coyotes?
Territorial, locational, and group communication means are howling — and that's exactly how coyotes use this vocalization.
7. Any suggestions on how to make the correct call at night?
Listen to the pitch: Group yips at a high pitch are coyotes; deep, slow howling is wolves.