Whats the difference between a coyote and a wolf?
Though there is a vast difference in the size of a coyote and a wolf, coyotes are sometimes mistaken for gray wolves. Gray wolves can actually be black, white or gray. If you see a white or black canine, it’s a wolf. But the grey ones can be more difficult to identify. A rusty hue (or tan/brown?) is more typical of a coyote. The biggest difference is size. A wolf is three times larger than a coyote and can weigh from 80 to 130 pounds. Usually coyotes are much less than 40 pounds. A wolf stands 3 feet high and often people are surprised at how big they are if they see one at a close range. When an animal is far away from you, however, its size can be hard to determine. Look for the other differences in appearance. Coyotes have a pointier snout and ears compared to the blockier, more rounded head of a wolf. Coyotes sport more dainty feet and ankles. They leave a 2-½ inch footprint while a wolf leaves a 4-½ inch track—closer to the size of an adult human hand. Although wolves have longer
