Head to head
Gray Wolf vs Coyote
The gray wolf and the coyote are close relatives that split the same continent. The wolf is a large pack hunter of big game; the coyote is a smaller, flexible generalist that has thrived alongside humans. Where wolves were exterminated, coyotes moved in — and the two have been interbreeding ever since.
| Gray Wolf | Coyote | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 30–50 kg (to 80 kg) | 7–20 kg |
| Range | Wilderness of Canada, Alaska, northern US, Eurasia | All of North America, cities included; expanding |
| Social unit | Pack of 4–15, built around a breeding pair | Pair or small family; often hunts alone |
| Main prey | Deer, elk, moose, bison — large hoofed animals | Rodents, rabbits, birds, fruit, carrion, pets, deer fawns |
| Ears and snout | Rounded ears, broad blocky snout | Tall pointed ears, narrow pointed snout |
| Track | ~10–13 cm long | ~6 cm long |
| Voice | Deep, drawn-out howl | High yipping, barking, and yodeling chorus |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (globally); protected in much of US | Least Concern; increasing |
Wolf vs Coyote: common questions
How can you tell a wolf from a coyote?
Size is the clearest clue — a wolf is much larger and heavier, standing knee-to-thigh height on an adult, while a coyote is roughly the size of a medium dog. A coyote has a slender pointed muzzle, tall pointed ears, and a thin build; a wolf has a broad blocky muzzle, shorter rounded ears, longer legs, and a much bigger head and paws. Coyotes usually carry the tail low when running; wolves hold it straight out.
What is a coywolf?
A hybrid of coyote, wolf, and often domestic dog, common in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. As wolves were wiped out of the east, expanding coyotes bred with the remaining wolves (especially the eastern wolf) and with dogs. The resulting animals — sometimes called "eastern coyotes" — are larger than western coyotes, with a broader skull and more pack-oriented behaviour, and they now occupy former wolf range including suburbs and cities.
Do wolves and coyotes fight?
Wolves are the dominant animal and treat coyotes as competitors, chasing and killing them within wolf territory, and coyotes avoid areas of high wolf activity. When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, the coyote population there dropped by roughly half and survivors shifted their behaviour. Away from wolves, coyotes flourish.