Coyote vs Gray Wolf
That canine crossing the field - coyote or wolf?
The quick tell
Size and posture. A coyote is a lanky 20-50 lb with a narrow, pointed muzzle and tall pointed ears, and it runs with its tail held low. A wolf is a different weight class entirely - 70-120 lb, blocky muzzle, shorter rounded ears, legs that look too long - and travels with its tail straight out.
Field marks, side by side
| Coyote | Gray Wolf | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 20-50 lb; German-shepherd height but half the mass | 70-120 lb; unmistakably massive in person |
| Muzzle & ears | Narrow, foxlike muzzle; tall pointed ears | Broad, blocky muzzle; short rounded ears |
| Tail on the move | Held low or tucked while running | Held straight out, level with the back |
| Tracks | About 2.5 in long | 4-5 in long, front paws bigger than most dogs’ |
Still not sure which one you found?
Point Huck at it. One photo identifies it on the spot - and adds it to your collection.
Get Huck - freeCommon questions
Are there wolves in my state?
Established wild wolves live in the Great Lakes states, the Northern Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest, plus red wolves in one small North Carolina population. Across most of the country, the wolf-sized canine you saw is a large coyote - eastern coyotes carry some wolf ancestry and can push 50+ lb.
Is a coyote in my neighborhood dangerous?
Coyotes overwhelmingly avoid people; risks are to unattended small pets and from animals fed by humans. Keep cats indoors, leash small dogs at dawn and dusk, never feed coyotes, and haze bold ones by making yourself loud and large.