If you saw a wolf standing next to a coyote it would be easy to tell the differences between the two, right? But could you differentiate which you’re looking at if you saw just one of them from a distance in the wild?
A blog post in the Spokesman-Review helps clarify the issue. It features two photos of a wildlife researcher’s bait station in north Idaho—one highlights each species.
Some quick notes:
- Generally speaking, wolves weigh from 60 to 120 pounds and are much larger and longer than coyotes which only weigh 20 to 50 pounds.
- You’re more likely to see a coyote as they are more prevalent, and more comfortable around humans
- Coyotes have noses that are narrow and more pointed
- Coyotes ears are taller and more pointed
- Wolf tracks are roughly 4×5 inches vs Coyote 2×2.5 inches