Coyotes and foxes are both members of the dog family, Canidae. People often wonder how to tell them apart because they look so similar. Knowing what makes them different helps us identify them correctly and understand their roles in nature.
Here’s a quick guide to comparing coyotes and foxes based on what they look like and how they act. We’ll focus on key things like size, color, and where they live. And we’ll provide some coyote vs fox photos to help you spot the differences.
Size and Build: Key Distinguishing Factors
When trying to tell a coyote and a fox apart, the first thing you’re likely to notice is size.
Coyote Characteristics
- Larger Size: Adult coyotes are much bigger than foxes, often more than twice the size of gray foxes. Coyotes in the Eastern U.S. tend to be even larger than the ones out West.
- Body Structure: Coyotes have longer legs compared to their body size.
Fox Characteristics
- Smaller Size: Foxes, both red and gray, are smaller and more slender than coyotes.
- Body Structure: Foxes have shorter legs and a more compact body shape.
Coat Color and Markings: Identifying Species
The color and markings on a wild canine’s coat can be a good way to tell whether you’re looking at a fox or a coyote.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red foxes are easy to identify by their rusty red backs, black ears, and black lower legs (often described as black “stockings”). They also have a bushy tail with a white tip.
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Gray foxes have a grizzled gray back, reddish fur on their sides, neck, and legs, and a black stripe along the length of their tail.
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Coyotes vary in color from gray to a cinnamon-tinged gray. Their fur is often mottled with black, brown, and white hairs.
Habitat and Behavior: Clues to Identification
Knowing a bit about the typical behavior and habitat of coyotes and foxes can help you tell them apart.
Coyote Behavior
Coyotes are incredibly adaptable, so you might see them just about anywhere, even in populated areas. They’re generally shy and tend to avoid people.
Fox Behavior
Red foxes are common and adaptable, and you might see them in suburban and rural neighborhoods.
Gray foxes aren’t as common, but they have a special skill that sets them apart from other canids: They can climb trees!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bigger is a coyote compared to a fox?
Coyotes are significantly larger than foxes. An average coyote weighs between 20 to 50 pounds and stands about 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Foxes, on the other hand, typically weigh between 8 to 15 pounds and stand around 12 to 16 inches tall. So, a coyote can be more than twice the size and weight of a fox.
What can be mistaken for a coyote?
Several animals can be mistaken for coyotes, especially at a distance or in poor lighting. Common examples include German Shepherds and other similarly sized dog breeds, wolves (though wolves are generally larger), and even large, feral domestic dogs. The key is to look for the coyote’s distinctive slender build, narrow muzzle, and bushy tail.
How do you tell if it’s a fox or coyote?
Several visual cues can help you distinguish between a fox and a coyote. Foxes are smaller and have a bushier tail, often with a white tip. Coyotes are larger, have a more slender build, and their tails are typically carried downward. Also, foxes have vertical pupils, like cats, while coyotes have round pupils, like dogs.
Is it a gray fox or a coyote?
Distinguishing between a gray fox and a coyote is typically easier than distinguishing a red fox from a coyote due to the gray fox’s unique characteristics. Gray foxes have a salt-and-pepper gray coat, a black-tipped tail, and a more cat-like face. Coyotes are much larger, have a more dog-like appearance, and lack the black-tipped tail of the gray fox. The size difference alone is usually a clear indicator.
In Conclusion
When trying to tell the difference between a coyote and a fox, pay attention to the animal’s size, coat color, and habitat. Coyotes are bigger than foxes, and foxes are generally red or gray.
By appreciating even these subtle differences, you can improve your understanding of the wildlife around you and the part each species plays in the ecosystem. Responsible observation of wildlife can also help keep humans and animals in balance with one another.